MediaMonkey

{{distinguish|text=Monkey's Audio, an unrelated lossless audio codec}}

{{Infobox software

| name = MediaMonkey

| logo = MM3-Logo.png

| screenshot = MediaMonkey3 screenshot.png

| caption = Screenshot of a program running in a computer device

| developer = Ventis Media Inc.

| released =

| ver layout = stacked

| latest release version = {{Multiple releases

|branch1 = Windows

|version1 = {{wikidata|property|references|edit|Q1463867|P348|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309}}

|date1 = {{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q1463867|P348|P400=Q1406|P548=Q2804309|P577}}

|branch2 = Android

|version2 = {{wikidata|property|references|edit|Q1463867|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309}}

|date2 = {{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q1463867|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q2804309|P577}}

}}

| latest preview version = {{Multiple releases

|branch1 = Windows

|version1 = {{wikidata|property|references|edit|Q1463867|P348|P400=Q1406|P548=Q51930650}}

|date1 = {{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q1463867|P348|P400=Q1406|P548=Q51930650|P577}}

|branch2 = Android

|version2 = {{wikidata|property|references|edit|Q1463867|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q51930650}}

|date2 = {{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q1463867|P348|P400=Q94|P548=Q51930650|P577}}

}}

| programming language =

| operating system = Android, Microsoft Windows

| language =

| genre = Media player

| license = Freemium

| website = {{URL|http://www.mediamonkey.com/}}

}}

MediaMonkey is a digital media player and media library application developed by Ventis Media Inc., for organizing and playing audio on Microsoft Windows and Android operating systems. MediaMonkey for Windows (sometimes noted as MMW) includes various management tools, and is extensible using plugins, while MediaMonkey for Android (often referred to as MMA) is an adjunct for sharing the library with Android devices. MediaMonkey is commonly displayed/marketed as a solution for managing large libraries of music.{{cite web |last1=Tyagi |first1=Anubhav |title=10 Best iTunes Alternatives For Windows, Mac, And Linux (2020) |url=https://www.techworm.net/2019/01/best-itunes-alternatives-windows-mac-linux.html |website=TechWorm |publisher=Techworm Online Media Private Limited |access-date=11 November 2020 |date=23 January 2019}}{{cite web |last1=Agarwal |first1=Rachit |title=17 Best iTunes Alternatives You Can Use (2020) |url=https://beebom.com/best-itunes-alternatives/ |website=Beebom |publisher=Beebom Media Private Limited |access-date=11 November 2020 |date=18 September 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Ellis |first1=Cat |title=MediaMonkey review |url=https://www.techradar.com/reviews/mediamonkey |website=TechRadar |date=23 August 2017 |publisher=Future US, Inc. |access-date=11 November 2020 |language=en}}

MediaMonkey uses the freemium licensing model. The base program is available as freeware but a premium "Gold" license unlocks additional features such as the ability to have multiple media collections, organize files automatically, and others.{{Cite web|title = MediaMonkey Gold Feature List|url = http://www.mediamonkey.com/information/gold/|website = MediaMonkey.com|access-date = 2015-05-25}} Both editions can be extensively enhanced with skins, third-party plugins, and user-generated extension scripts. It uses SQLite to manage its database.{{cite web|url=http://www.mediamonkey.com/wiki/index.php/MediaMonkey_Database_structure |title=MediaMonkey Database Structure|website=MediaMonkey.com}}

Features

=Audio CDs=

Music can be ripped from audio CDs and encoded into most supported formats. Music can be burned to CD/DVD format in compressed or CD audio format, optionally normalizing the volume level of the songs in the process.{{cite web|url=http://www.mediamonkey.com/information/free/ |website=MediaMonkey.com|title=Free Features}}

=Supported formats=

MediaMonkey supports music playback using MP3, AAC, WMA, FLAC, MPC, APE, and WAV. It can adjust volume levels automatically using ReplayGain and MP3Gain.

=Music library=

MediaMonkey's music library attempts to organize and categorize a user's music collection. Upon installation, it will scan the user's hard drives for music files and add them to its library. Ratings and playback information can be imported from other media players such as Winamp and Windows Media Player.{{cite web |url=http://www.itreviews.co.uk/software/s583.htm |title=Review of MediaMonkey 3 |website=IT Reviews |access-date=2009-12-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412185204/http://www.itreviews.co.uk/software/s583.htm |archive-date=2010-04-12 |url-status=dead }} Podcasts are supported through the Podcatcher which allows the user to subscribe to podcasts that MediaMonkey will automatically download. It can also monitor the user's hard drive to ensure that any changes are automatically updated in the library.

=Device sync=

MediaMonkey can sync music files with most portable audio devices including the Apple iPod, Apple iPhone, Palm Pre, and Android-based devices.{{cite web|url=http://www.mediamonkey.com/wiki/index.php/Compatible_Devices |title=Compatible Device List|website=MediaMonkey.com}}

=Addons=

MediaMonkey has support for third-party plugins to extend the base functionality. Available plugins include a Last.fm scrobbler, a plugin to show lyrics, and a web remote-control interface.{{cite web|url=http://www.mediamonkey.com/addons/general/|title=General Addons|website=MediaMonkey.com|access-date=2010-10-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101115163103/http://www.mediamonkey.com/addons/general|archive-date=2010-11-15|url-status=dead}} MediaMonkey also supports the Winamp 2 API, allowing a user to use any of the many input, output, DSP, and visualization plugins developed for Winamp.{{cite web|url=http://www.mediamonkey.com/develop/ |title=Addon Development|website=MediaMonkey.com}}

History

=Songs-DB=

MediaMonkey was first developed in 2001 under the name Songs-DB. Songs-DB version 1.0.0 was released on October 12, 2001.{{cite web| website=MediaMonkey.com|date=October 12, 2001|url=http://www.mediamonkey.com/news/2001/10/12/songs-db-version-100-beta-released/|title=Songs-DB Version 100 Beta Released}} Development progressed steadily with version 1.1 released June 7, 2002.{{cite web|website=MediaMonkey.com|date=June 7, 2002|url=http://www.mediamonkey.com/news/2002/06/07/songs-db-version-11-released/|title= Songs-DB Version 1.1 Released}} Songs-DB 1.1 was the first version to provide Winamp plugin support.[http://www.mediamonkey.com/sw/whatsnew.txt MediaMonkey Change Log] Version 1.2 was released on July 3, 2002, and included improved Winamp plugin support, significant UI improvements, and scripting support.{{cite web|website=MediaMonkey.com|date=July 3, 2002|url=http://www.mediamonkey.com/news/2002/07/03/songs-db-version-12-released/ |title=Songs-DB Version 1.2 Released}} Version 1.3 was released on October 31, 2002, and added Ogg Vorbis support and the ability to burn CDs.{{cite web|website=MediaMonkey.com|date=October 31, 2002|url=http://www.mediamonkey.com/news/2002/10/31/songs-db-version-13-released/ |title=Songs-DB Version 1.3 Released}}

=MediaMonkey 2=

For version 2.0, Songs-DB was renamed to MediaMonkey. MediaMonkey 2.0 was released on August 25, 2003.{{cite web|website=MediaMonkey.com|date=August 25, 2003|url=http://www.mediamonkey.com/news/2003/08/25/mediamonkey-20-now-available-raises-the-bar-for-music-management/ |title=MediaMonkey 2.0 Now Available}} MediaMonkey 2.2, released on June 9, 2004, added iTunes-like device synchronization.{{cite web|website=MediaMonkey.com|date=June 9, 2004|url=http://www.mediamonkey.com/news/2004/06/09/announcing-mediamonkey-22-adds-itunes-like-portable-audio-device-synchronization/ |title=Announcing MediaMonkey 2.2}} This synchronization functionality was extended to include syncing to actual iPods in version 2.4, released June 5, 2005.{{cite web|website=MediaMonkey.com|date=June 5, 2005|url=http://www.mediamonkey.com/news/2005/06/05/announcing-mediamonkey-24/ |title=Announcing MediaMonkey 2.4}} The last major release of the 2.x series was MediaMonkey 2.5, released on December 28, 2005. MediaMonkey 2.5 added improved synchronization for all current iPod, Creative Labs, and iRiver devices, along with full FLAC support.{{cite web|website=MediaMonkey.com|date=December 28, 2005|url=http://www.mediamonkey.com/news/2005/12/28/announcing-mediamonkey-25/ |title=Announcing MediaMonkey 2.5}} Minor releases of MediaMonkey continued for the next year, culminating in MediaMonkey 2.5.5 which was released on January 30, 2007.{{cite web|website=MediaMonkey.com|date=January 30, 2007|url=http://www.mediamonkey.com/news/2007/01/30/5/ |title=MediaMonkey 2.5.5 Released!}}

=MediaMonkey 3=

MediaMonkey 3.0.1 was released on December 25, 2007.{{cite web|website=MediaMonkey.com|date=December 25, 2007|url=http://www.mediamonkey.com/news/2007/12/25/mediamonkey-301-released/ |title=MediaMonkey 3.0.1 Released}} MediaMonkey 3 was designed specifically with large user libraries in mind. This was seen in version 3.0.3, released on June 19, 2008, which increased the supported library size to 100,000+ tracks (from a previously advertised 50,000 tracks).{{cite web|website=MediaMonkey.com|date=June 19, 2008|url=http://www.mediamonkey.com/news/2008/06/19/mediamonkey-303-music-manager-launches-supports-100000-tracks/ |title=MediaMonkey 3.0.3 Music Manager Launches}}

=MediaMonkey 4=

MediaMonkey 4.0 was released on December 16, 2011. This version introduced better synchronization with Android devices, library sharing over DLNA / UPnP, improved audio output via WASAPI, the ability to run from a USB stick, and secure CD ripping.{{cite web|website=MediaMonkey.com|date=November 16, 2011|url=http://www.mediamonkey.com/news/2011/11/16/mediamonkey-4-0-brings-the-media-to-mediamonkey/ |title=MediaMonkey 4.0 – Brings the 'media' to MediaMonkey}}

{{cite web|website=MediaMonkey.com|date=December 25, 2011|url=http://www.mediamonkey.com/news/2011/12/25/mediamonkey-4-0-1-released/ |title=MediaMonkey 4.0.2 Released}}

{{cite web|website=MediaMonkey.com|date=February 22, 2012|url=http://www.mediamonkey.com/news/2012/02/22/mediamonkey-4-0-3-released/ |title=MediaMonkey 4.0.3 Released}}

MediaMonkey 4.1.0 was released Jan 31, 2014. This version introduced wireless synchronization with MediaMonkey for Android and bi-directional synchronization, a darker look and feel, and UPnP improvements.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mediamonkey.com/news/2014/02/10/mediamonkey-4-1-released/|title=MediaMonkey » News|website=MediaMonkey.com|access-date=2017-01-17}}

The current version is MediaMonkey 4.1.29, released in July 2020.{{cite web |title=MediaMonkey 4 Test Builds - Page 26 - MediaMonkey forum |url=https://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=54426&start=375 |website=www.mediamonkey.com |publisher=Ventis Media |access-date=10 September 2020}}

=MediaMonkey 5=

MediaMonkey 5.0 entered a public beta on December 20, 2016.{{cite web |title=MM5 Test builds (5.0.0 Beta available) - MediaMonkey forum |url=https://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=86639&sid=31ff83225f3c630f770b7956868da5d7 |website=www.mediamonkey.com |access-date=2 July 2020}} This version uses the Chromium rendering engine and HTML for its user interface, as opposed to previous versions' natively rendered interface.

=MediaMonkey Server=

Alpha testing for an open-source, server-only implementation of MediaMonkey was publicly announced on August 15, 2018. Clients connect to the MediaMonkey server (MMS) from either a web browser or MediaMonkey 5 beta, to access and manage the media library. According to the developer Rusty, "We created it because UPnP doesn't scale sufficiently for our users, and because DB sharing hacks weren't sufficiently robust.{{cite web |title=MediaMonkey Server pre-release testing - MediaMonkey forum |url=https://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=90809 |website=MediaMonkey Forum |publisher=Ventis Media Inc. |access-date=10 September 2020}}"

Assessments

MediaMonkey has been widely recognized for many years as a leading tool for organizing and managing large libraries of digital music, praised for its automatic functions and other powerful capabilities. It is criticized for having an outdated user interface, being difficult to learn, and only running on Windows.{{cite news |title=The Best Music Management Software |url=https://thesweetbits.com/best-music-management-software-windows/ |access-date=2 September 2019 |work=TheSweetBits |date=10 July 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Boldt |first1=Thomas |title=MediaMonkey Gold Review: Is It a Complete Media Library Manager? |url=https://www.softwarehow.com/mediamonkey-review/ |access-date=2 September 2019 |work=SoftwareHow |date=31 July 2017}}{{cite news |last1=Harris |first1=Mark |title=The Best Free Music Management Tools for Organizing Your MP3s |url=https://www.lifewire.com/free-music-management-tools-for-organizing-your-mp3s-2438774 |access-date=2 September 2019 |work=Lifewire |date=24 June 2019 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Popescu |first1=Vladimir |title=6 software for organizing your music files to find them quickly |url=https://windowsreport.com/music-organizing-software/ |access-date=2 September 2019 |work=Windows Report |date=16 December 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Krishna |title=MediaMonkey: A Serious Media Organizer – Review and Giveaway |url=https://www.maketecheasier.com/mediamonkey-giveaway/ |access-date=2 September 2019 |work=Make Tech Easier |date=29 December 2014}}{{cite news |last1=Broida |first1=Rick |title=Download of the Day: MediaMonkey (Windows) |url=https://lifehacker.com/download-of-the-day-mediamonkey-windows-209721 |access-date=2 September 2019 |work=Lifehacker |date=24 October 2006}}