• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Precision Audio & Tint

Thomasville: (229) 233 5001Bainbridge: (229) 246 2111
  • NEW! SHOP ONLINE
  • Financing/Lease to Own
    • Easy Payments, No Credit Needed
    • $0 Down, 0% APR Financing
  • Our Work
  • Reviews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Request a Quote
  • About Us
    • Why Choose Us
    • Hours and Directions
    • Our Facilities
    • Virtual Tour Bainbridge Store
    • Virtual Tour Thomasville Store
    • Work for US
    • Gift Cards
    • Contact Us
  • Services
    • Car Audio
      • Backup Safety
      • Mobile Video
      • OEM Integration
      • Professional Installation
      • Smartphone Integration
      • Vehicle Navigation
    • Marine Audio
    • Motorcycle Audio
    • Remote Starters
    • Wheels & Tires
  • Window Tint
  • Customize Your Truck
    • Bed Covers
    • Floor Liners And Accessories
    • Grille Guards And Bumpers
    • Hitches
    • Leveling and Lift Kits
    • Jeep Parts And Accessories
    • Step Bars And Running Boards
    • Toolboxes
  • Brands
    • JL Audio
    • Kenwood
    • Pioneer
    • Fuel Wheels
    • Llumar Window Tint
    • Rockford Fosgate
    • Cam-Locker
    • Ranch Hand
    • Rough Country
    • WeatherTech
You are here: Home / ARTICLES / Don’t Put All Your Songs in One Folder on Your USB Drive

Don’t Put All Your Songs in One Folder on Your USB Drive

By BestCarAudio.com Leave a Comment

Songs Folder

With the rise in popularity of digital media files over the last decade, car audio enthusiasts find themselves being more likely to carry a USB memory stick than a stack of compact disks. When it comes to organizing all those MP3, WMA, AAC and FLAC files, most manufacturers suggest that you don’t put all the songs in one folder. Read on to find out why.

How Car Radios Understand USB File Structure

Unlike a computer, your car radio is very limited in its ability to interpret different USB drive formats and the subsequent file structure. Most systems require that the USB drive be formatted using the FAT or FAT32 file format. Some new multimedia receivers can understand NTFS and exFAT file formats, so larger storage devices can be used.

Songs Folder
You have several formatting options. Be sure to choose one that works with the capabilities of your receiver.

Next, you need to maintain a standard long file name format that allows for a total of 255 characters, including the file extension (.mp3, .wma or .flac). An important part of the standard is avoiding command characters such as /, \, *, :, ?, “, <, > and|. These characters may be misinterpreted by the system and result in a file being unreadable, or on extreme cases, cause the system to stop reading subsequent filenames.

Folder Structure and File Limits

In most cases, you are limited to no more than eight folder layers. So, beyond the root folder, you may have subfolders by genre of music, artist name and album name. This configuration is fine as the music is stored four layers deep. It is worth noting that extremely long folder names may, depending on the radio and its available memory, cause problems. We recommend keeping everything as short and efficient as possible.

Songs Folder
Choosing a radio with a USB port on the front panel makes playing your digital media collection quick and easy.

Different source units have significantly different limits on the total number of tracks they can play and the number of files or subfolders they can interpret. Many radios have a limit of 255 or 999 files or folders per directory and can only detect up to 999 files. Some radios increase this to 5,000 or 9,999 tracks. A few units on the market can read an impressive 65,535 files per folder, and there are a couple with supposedly no limits at all.

Songs Folder
Typical Folder Structure Format

Don’t Put All Your Files in One Folder

When you are planning on buying a new radio, it’s worth spending a few minutes to find out whether it will play your music as you have it organized on your USB stick. Some radios won’t randomize songs in different folders, and others are extremely finicky about the total number of files. If you need help choosing a receiver that will sound great and play your digital media collection, drop by your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer and give the radio you have in mind a try!

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Car Audio, RESOURCE LIBRARY

About BestCarAudio.com

BestCarAudio.com is a showcase for the very best mobile electronics retailers in the world and a place to educate and inform interested consumers about existing and emerging technologies.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search our Articles and Installs

Recent Customer Review

Request a Quote
Car Audio

Car Audio

Precision Audio & Tint in Bainbridge and Thomasville are truck and car audio upgrade specialists. Whether you are interested in adding Apple … Read More »

Tags

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Amplifiers Android Auto Apple CarPlay Bed Covers Camlocker Chevrolet F-150 Ford Fuel Fuel Wheels GMC Grille Guards Hunter Road Force Jeep JL Audio Kenwood Leveling Kits Llumar Nitto Pioneer Radios RAM Ranch Hand ReadyLift Rockford Fosgate Rough Country Speakers Step Bars Subwoofers Toolboxes Toyota TrailFX Undercover WeatherTech Westin Window Tint Wrangler
A happy man driving a car down the road while music notes float by in the breeze

How to Shop for a Car Audio System with Future Upgrades in Mind

 By BestCarAudio.com Leave a Comment

Upgrading your car audio system is an exciting journey. Many car owners start with basic improvements but soon find … [Read More...]

Expert Tips for Upgrading Your Boat’s Stereo System

 By BestCarAudio.com Leave a Comment

There’s nothing quite like spending a sunny day out on the water, and having the right soundtrack only enhances the … [Read More...]

The-3-Most-Important-Speaker-Parameters-and-Why-You-Should-Care-Lead-in

The 3 Most Important Speaker Parameters and Why You Should Care

 By BestCarAudio.com Leave a Comment

When you’re upgrading your car audio system, selecting the right speakers involves more than just brand loyalty or power … [Read More...]

The 3 Most Important Speaker Parameters and Why You Should Care

 By BestCarAudio.com Leave a Comment

Saving money feels good. Until it doesn't. Whether it’s a bargain-priced amplifier or a budget installation from someone … [Read More...]

A man sitting in his car driving down the highway glancing out the window

The Safety Net You Didn’t Know You Needed: Aftermarket Blind Spot and Collision Warning Systems

 By BestCarAudio.com Leave a Comment

If you’ve looked at a new vehicle lately, chances are it included some type of advanced safety feature like blind spot … [Read More...]

Bainbridge Location


Get Directions to Precision Audio's Bainbridge Location
Address:
909 Dothan Road, Bainbridge, GA 39817
Phone: 229-246-2111
Secondary phone: 229-246-3888
Email: salesstaff@precisionga.com

Opening Hours:
Monday : 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Tuesday : 8:30 am – 5:30 pm Open Now
Wednesday : 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Thursday : 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Friday : 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Saturday : Closed
Sunday : Closed

Thomasville Location


Get Directions to Precision Audio's Thomasville Location
Address:
12588 US Highway 319 N., Thomasville, GA 31757
Phone: 229-233-5001
Email: thomasville@precisionga.com

Opening Hours:
Monday : 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Tuesday : 8:30 am – 5:30 pm Open Now
Wednesday : 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Thursday : 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Friday : 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Saturday : Closed
Sunday : Closed

MESA retailer

Copyright © 2025 Precision Audio & Tint · Privacy Policy · Website by 1sixty8 media, inc. · Log in