If you are not using one of the directly-supported music scheduling systems, you can construct an export from that system that can be used by dcsTools.com products.
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The Generic dcsTools (XStudio) Export structure cannot be used with the Maestro automation system. Use one of the exports created specifically for Maestro. |
The generic music library export consists of a single line of fixed-length field text for each song with no header or footer information, commonly referred to as Fixed-Length ASCII. The default output file extension is .txt.
Generic dcsTools Song Record Structure
The record structure Field column identifies the type of data expected - note the actual field name in your music scheduling system may be different, particularly the Cart Number field, which is often placed in a user-defined field in the scheduling system.
Fields labeled "Spacer (1)" are not contained in the database, but are needed in the output file for proper positioning of the fields in the song record.
The Length column identifies the maximum length used for a particular field. If your scheduling system field for the item is not as long as the specified length, the item must be padded with spaces. If longer, it must be truncated (shortened) to the maximum number of characters specified for the field.
If a field listed is not available in your music scheduling system's song record, you must pad that item with spaces, similar to the Spacer items except for the full length of the field.
Field |
Position |
Length |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Cart Number |
1 |
4 |
The cart number, a unique ID for the Song. Must match the automation system identifier. |
Spacer (1) |
5 |
1 |
A 1-character blank space. Used for readability. |
Title |
6 |
70 |
The song title. |
Artist |
76 |
70 |
The song's artist. |
Run Time |
146 |
5 |
The song's run time (length), in the format mm:ss (2-digit minutes, colon, 2-digit seconds). |
Spacer (1) |
151 |
1 |
A 1-character blank space. Used for readability. |
Category |
152 |
16 |
The category the song is assigned to. Most music scheduling systems use 1 or 2 characters. |
Album |
168 |
70 |
The name of the album the song appeared in. |
Year |
238 |
4 |
The release year or peak year in 4-digit format (i.e., 2016). |
Spacer (1) |
242 |
1 |
A 1-character blank space. Used for readability. |
Intro |
243 |
3 |
The song's intro time, typically 2-3 characters and may include a colon (i.e., ":12"). |
Spacer (1) |
246 |
1 |
A 1-character blank space. Used for readability. |
Ending |
247 |
3 |
The song's ending type code. |
