MediaMonkey Editor's Review

When you are into music business and deal with lots of mp3 files, you are in need of a complete audio manager. But the same problem may occur to anyone who has a big collection of music randomly stored on the computer. Media Monkey may be the solution to all these problems allowing you to collect all your music, playlists, podcasts and other audio files altogether.

From the start, the application will scan your computer or any other external devices for audio files. Unlike other audio managers, Media Monkey gives the user from the beginning the chance to choose which hard drive or device should be scanned in order to short the time spent to complete the full scanning process. All your scanned files can be lately categorized in all kind of playlists sorted based on tags, date, alphabetical order, etc.

It doesn't matter if the audio files are stores outside your computer on a portable device, CD, or on another network connected computer. Media Monkey will manage them all. In case you have music stored on CD's, the application can rip and store the audio files and can even synchronize with any mp3 player including iPod, iPhone, iRiver or any other generic portable audio devices.

Of course you can playback your files after you have managed them, but don't expect too many tools. Just the basic volume control, and equalizer. If the playback controls are visible and easy to use, don't expect the same usability for the rest of the manager. Media Monkey is a comprehensive application but lacks an intuitive interface. It comes with a rather old visual representation of all its elements, which forces the user to learn its functionality by repetitive actions.

Pluses: free, comprehensive, audio CD ripping support, synchronizing function for iPod, iPhone, iRiver.

Drawbacks/Flaws: tiny little buttons without the usual graphical icons which bring you at the brink of collapse when you search for a desired functionality.

In conclusion: A free comprehensive audio files manager with lots of useful additional functionalities and customized playlists.

version reviewed: 3.2.4