How can I merge two libaries into one?

[yvev]

I have two musicbee libraries. Is there any way to merge the two libraries into one library? I don’t want to do this by rescanning.

[The Incredible Boom Boom]

If none of your tracks are duplicated in the other library, you could possibly do this manually by copying the text information from one MBL file to another? Steven would have to confirm if that route wouldn't screw things up, though. Or you can make a backup of one library, merge the other into and confirm for everyone?

[phred]

you could possibly do this manually by copying the text information from one MBL file to another?

The .mbl file is not a straight text file. It is proprietary to MB and manually copying one to another will more than likely destroy the destination file. I'm not saying don't try this, but if you do, you must be certain to have backups of both mbl files before you touch them.

Nor do I think they can be merged since parts will be likely be overwritten. Or duplicated within the result. It's not a good idea to mess around with the mbl file.

Best to wait to see if Steven weighs in with comments.

[frankz]

What I would do is export one library as an iTunes XML file and then import that XML file into the other library.  

Export: Edit->Edit Preferences->Library...export the library as an iTunes formatted XML File
Import: File->Library->Import->Import from iTunes..."Locate iTunes" at the bottom left to choose the file.

[phred]

What I would do is export one library as an iTunes XML file and then import that XML file into the other library.  

This actually sounds like it might work. Can't wait to hear what @yvev says.

[frankz]

Have some faith!.  It will work!

There's even a selection there about what to do if the same track is in both libraries (overwrite or maintain the current data).

It's an intended use of that tool, I think.

[yvev]

What I would do is export one library as an iTunes XML file and then import that XML file into the other library. 

Export: Edit->Edit Preferences->Library...export the library as an iTunes formatted XML File
Import: File->Library->Import->Import from iTunes..."Locate iTunes" at the bottom left to choose the file.

thanks a lot. It's excellent!
I'd never found a way to export the database.
Now I have two library XML files. I think I can easily to build my own music search library, even don't need to open MB to know if I already have the records.

[sveakul]

thanks a lot. It's excellent!
I'd never found a way to export the database.
Now I have two library XML files. I think I can easily to build my own music search library, even don't need to open MB to know if I already have the records.

Does that mean you DID import the exported xml into the "base" library, and everything merged correctly?  Don't leave us hangin', frankz's honor is at stake

[phred]

Yes, curious minds want to know.

[yvev]

Does that mean you DID import the exported xml into the "base" library, and everything merged correctly?  Don't leave us hangin', frankz's honor is at stake

I did it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
XML file size: 82MB
Number of albums: 3747 ( total file size: about 4T)
Time: >2 hours

It takes too long, and importing XML files is not faster than rescanning. My music files are stored on another PC in the same local network. I am not sure whether the program will check the file path when importing.
The most important: all custom tags are lost.

[phred]

The most important: all custom tags are lost.

The custom tags were lost -probably- because you saved them to MB's database only. You should pick an unused standard tag and save to that.

[psychoadept]

Or, if they were saved to the files, you don't have the same custom tag configured in the second library.

Phred, do you mean standard taG?

[yvev]

My custom tags are not "Save to MusicBee Database Only". I've defined every tag name.
In fact, Besides custom tags, some Musicbee tags are lost too, such as "WORK" tag.
I think MB only exports the tags which can be supported by itune.

[psychoadept]

I think MB only exports the tags which can be supported by itune.

If the tags are in the files, it doesn't matter what MusicBee exports. Check some of the files with the tag inspector to see what's actually there. If the tags are missing, go back to your other library and confirm how they're being saved.

[phred]

Phred, do you mean standard taG?

Yes, of course. I've edited it. Thanks.