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Library management

Helium Music Manager's libraries can be stored in a Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server or MySQL database. This wide choice accommodates different users requirements in terms of database preference and music collection size. You can switch between different databases, select the type of database to use and perform different tasks on the active database.

Database Types

Access Databases

This is the default database type for Helium Music Manager, you do not have to install any third party software to use it. It is suitable for smaller music collections.

Microsoft SQL Server Databases

To use this database type you have to install one of the following third party software:

• Microsoft SQL Server 2005
• Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express
• Microsoft SQL Server 2008
• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express

Microsoft SQL Server 2005/2008 Express Edition versions are free. This database is suitable for larger libraries with thousands of files and with a lot of pictures.

For information about how to download and install Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express look at the guide on Installing Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express.

MySQL Databases

To use this database type you have to install one of the following third party software:

• MySQL 5.x
• MySQL 4.x
  
  In addition you have to install MySQL Connector/ODBC 3.51.23+

MySQL is free for personal use. This database is suitable for larger libraries with thousands of files and with a lot of pictures.
Note: If you don't have a specific need for MySQL, we recommend using Microsoft SQL Server Express instead.

For information about how to download and install MySQL look at the guide on Installing MySQL.

Library Management

Open the Library Management dialog by any of the methods below:

• Click the Advanced > Library > Management... option on the main menu.
• Press CTRL-D on your keyboard.

Only one library can be active at any one time and its database is displayed in bold.

Database Tabs

Once you have decided on the library database type you wish to manage, select the Access Databases, Microsoft SQL Server Databases or MySQL Databases tab. Then use the toolbar buttons to perform operations for the database type as shown below.

Toolbar buttons

The following descriptions focus on the Access database type. Where there are significant differences, these are highlighted (typically with links to further in-depth instructions for the database type).

• New...
  Clicking this button will open a browse dialog where you can create a new Access database. Browse to the folder location where you want to create the database and enter a filename for the new database. Then click Save to create the new Access database and activate it.
  
  See Create new Microsoft SQL Server database or Create new MySQL database for the other database types.

• Open...
  Clicking this button will open a browse dialog where you can select an existing Access database to open. Browse to the folder location where the database you want to open is and select the database. Then click Open to activate the new Access database.
  
  See Open a Microsoft SQL Server database or Open a MySQL database for the other database types.

• Import
  Clicking this button opens a sub-menu where you can choose what data to import. You can import from iTunes, Media Monkey3, Winamp, Windows Media Player or another Helium Music Manager Access, Microsoft SQL Server or MySQL database. You can also import Music Browser Data previously exported via the Export menu.

  • Import Helium Access database
    Clicking this menu item will open a choose file dialog, select the database you want to import and press OK.
  • Import Helium MSDE/MS SQL database
    Clicking this menu item will open the Open MSDE/MS SQL database dialog - see Open a Microsoft SQL Server database
  • Import Helium MySQL database
    Clicking this menu item will open the Open MySQL database dialog- see Open a MySQL database
  • Import Music Browser data...
    See Import Music Browser data for the details of how to do this.
  • Import from "iTunes" imports an iTunes database.
  • Import from "MediaMonkey3" imports a Media Monkey 3 database.
  • Import from "Winamp" imports a Winamp database.
  • Import from "Windows Media Player" imports a Windows Media Player database.

• Export
  Clicking this button enables you to export Music Browser Data: Artists, Relations, Albums, Publishers, Styles, Genres and User entered items (this includes data not stored in your music files).

• Tools
  Clicking this button opens an sub-menu with three tools:

  • Compress Databaset can only be used on an Access Database.

  • Housekeep database removes artists, genres, publishers and countries that are not in use and do not have any pictures or biographies added to them.

  • Optimize Database only works when you are using a Microsoft SQL Server Database. This tool will do a few optimizations on the database (index defragmenting) which can result in better performance.

• Remove
  Removes the selected database. You cannot remove the active database.