AudioCD GH from the maker of InCDius, a java based utility that searches a web-based CDDB database for CD titles and tracks. This CSM recognizes any custom information in the AppleCD Player preferences and displays it in a Control Strip PopUp menu. While the program is free, paying a small registration fee will get you a code to unlock additional modules with more features.

Another CSM is CD Control. It's shareware and also uses existing info in the AppleCD preferences.

While several readers emailed to say that Apple's CD control strip module correctly displayed custom track and title information, mine never did.

About the CDDB: Originally started by Steve Scherf and Ti Kan, the CD Database carries information on hundreds of thousands of CD's. Anyone can submit entries, and currently the database receives over 200 submissions a day. In fact, last year I received a complimentary Christmas CD from AT&T. That evening I checked CDDB and the data was already there!

While you can type information into Apple's CD Player, there are several programs that will play your CD's and search the CDDB for you and then update the AppleCD Preferences.

Third Party CD Players:

InCDius - One of the first on the Mac platform, this Java program does the job, but the Java interface isn't up to Mac GUI standards.

NetDisk. Click for larger image.

NetCD 1.6 - This CD Player is appearance manager compliant and offers AppleScript support, contextual menus and balloon help. It has a "Disk Info" window that can show song lyrics, band information, and liner notes (if the information was available in the CDDB). It's a free download. This program was a particular favorite with ResExcellence readers.

CD Coyote - This isn't a CD PLayer, but a free tool for editing and merging CD Database files.

TitleTrack. Click for larger image.

TitleTrack CD Player - This program was a great surprise. While the colors of the Player are not to my liking (black and green), it has some nice features. It also supports CDDB lookups and not only updates the AppleCD Preferences, but it maintains the information in its own database. This allows support for more information about the CD. For example, you can insert a picture of the band or a snapshot of the album cover. Since the interface also provides URL buttons for some of the largest music sites, finding an album cover graphic was surprisingly easy. At a shareware fee of $25, you will need to be serious about your music, but TitleTrack clearly offers the most features.

PopUpCD - In a category all its own, this little player pops up under the mouse when a key combination is pressed. It comes with a CSM that displays additional features. A note left on the windshield of the ResExcellence Mobile said that the author, John Brochu, is working on another Control Strip Module CD Player called Minuet - and this program is suppose to be even cooler!

If you've been playing CD's on your Mac, and not accessing the CDDB, maybe it's time to move up to one these programs. You can catalog all your CD's in an evening - often with lyrics and tidbits on the band.

(Thanks to all the readers who contributed suggestions and links.)