Feature Request: AI-Assisted Tagging in the MediaBay

Cubase
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User Story: AI-Assisted Tagging in the MediaBay

As a music producer who works with many samples, I want Cubase to automatically analyze, tag, and categorize my own or purchased sample libraries — and, if possible, assign a suitable category image — so that I can find my samples more quickly and clearly in the MediaBay.

Description / Details

Integration:
The feature is fully integrated into the Cubase MediaBay.

Input:

  • The user selects a folder path in the MediaBay.

  • Option: Include subfolders (checkbox).

Processing:

  1. The file name and metadata are analyzed first.

  2. Then, an AI-powered audio analysis (ML/AI) is performed to identify attributes such as instrument (kick, snare, hi-hat, etc.), type (acoustic/electronic), length, articulation, BPM, etc.

  3. If there is an image file (e.g., .jpg, .png) in the top-level folder, it is used as the category image for the entire library — similar to official Cubase sample libraries.

Output:

  • All detected attributes are mapped to existing Cubase MediaBay categories/tags.

  • Results are stored in the MediaBay database.

  • The optional category image is automatically applied.

UI/UX:

  • Settings dialog in the MediaBay (select path, include subfolders yes/no, Start/Stop button).

  • Progress indicator during analysis.

  • After completion, samples appear in the MediaBay with their new categories/tags.

  • If an image was found, it appears as the visual library icon.

Acceptance Criteria

  • The user can select any folder in the MediaBay and optionally include subfolders.

  • All samples in the selected folder are processed (formats: WAV, AIFF, MP3, FLAC, …).

  • Tags are first applied based on file names/metadata, then refined through AI analysis.

  • Results appear as standardized MediaBay tags (no new or “free” categories).

  • The user can cancel the analysis at any time.

  • Progress and results are visible in the UI.

  • Processed tags are permanently stored in the MediaBay database after analysis.

  • If there is an image in the top-level folder, it is displayed as the category image.

  • If multiple images are present, the first image in the folder (alphabetically) is chosen as the default.

  • If no image is found, the library remains without a category image or uses a default icon.