Inspect audio metadata
Read the technical fields, embedded tags, artwork, and checksum stored for each audio version.
Before you start
Open the file in Library, a project, or its track workspace. You can inspect metadata for a shared file when you have access to it. The values in this view are read-only.
1. Open File metadata
- Open the file action menu.
- Select File metadata.
The File metadata dialog opens. The same action is available from a project track row and the track workspace.
2. Choose a version
Use the Version selector at the top of the dialog. The current version has · Current beside its name. Older versions use their saved name or a label such as Version 2.
The dialog loads the selected version's details. Wait for Loading version metadata... to finish before copying values.
3. Read the file and version fields
The File and version section can show:
- Original filename
- File size
- Uploaded date and time
- Duration
- SHA-256 checksum
- BPM
- Musical key
- Time signature
- Mixhaus tags
These values belong to the selected immutable version. The BPM and key shown here are the values used by Library filters when this version is current.
Select Copy JSON to copy the file, version, and embedded metadata data for a ticket or a local check. The button becomes available after the version details load.
4. Read embedded technical fields and tags
When a snapshot is available, Technical audio shows fields read from the media container. It can include the container, codec, codec profile, duration, bit rate, sample rate, bit depth, channels, lossless status, encoder, gain, and tag formats.
The Captured by browser or Captured by desktop badge tells you where the snapshot was collected. Bounded snapshot means Mixhaus limited the stored snapshot size. It does not mean that the original audio file was shortened.
The Embedded tags section shows normalized fields such as title, artist, album, dates, genres, credits, comments, lyrics, identifiers, copyright, and artwork details. Raw tag data groups the container-native fields by tag type when they are present.
5. View or download artwork
If the selected version contains embedded artwork, the dialog shows a cover preview. Select a thumbnail when there is more than one image, then select Download cover to save the current image.
Artwork is optional. A file can have complete technical metadata without a cover image.
If embedded metadata was not captured
The dialog shows Embedded metadata was not captured when a snapshot is unavailable. This can happen with an older version or a container that could not be parsed. The original embedded metadata remains inside the stored audio file.
Select Inspect stored file to read the stored file on demand. If the source cannot be read or parsed, the dialog shows the source error. This inspection does not change the file.
Expected result
You can identify the exact version, verify its checksum and audio settings, read its embedded tags, and save its artwork when present. Metadata inspection does not change the current version or the audio bytes.
What happens next
Use Add searchable audio metadata to change Mixhaus BPM, key, or tags. Use Search audio in your Library to find files by those values, or Play audio in your Library to hear the current version.
Common problems
Copy JSON is disabled
Choose a version and wait for Loading version metadata... to finish. Copying is unavailable until the selected version details load.
There is no cover preview
The selected version may not contain embedded artwork. Choose another version in the Version selector and check again.
The snapshot is bounded or incomplete
Bounded snapshot describes the stored metadata record, not the audio bytes. Use Inspect stored file when you need to read the source again.
I need to change a value
The File metadata dialog is read-only. Open Version History, expand Track details, edit the Mixhaus values, and select Save Track Details. To edit an older version's tempo or key, use Edit tempo & key on that version.
The file has no uploaded versions
The dialog shows This track has no uploaded versions. Upload an audio file or open a track that has a version before inspecting metadata.