mac and ipod

[Craig M.]

hello, whats the best way for me to copy and convert my itunes library alac files to aac, and then get them on my ipod? i want to leave the alac library undisturbed. i tried this last night using max to convert the files, but i couldn't get them onto my ipod. also, all the album art for my alac library disappeared after i had created aac copies.

i tried going to my local apple shop, but had a hard time explaining what i meant and he just recommended re-ripping to aac format!

and why the hell can't i browse the ipod like an external drive from finder?

i have a real love hate relationship with my macmini and ipod at the moment

 

[Anonymous]

I think you need two iTunes libraries.

One for ALAC / One for AAC.

Close iTunes and then open it whilst holding Apple key or Shift, or Ctrl, or something...

 

[John Duncan]

Easy.

- Change the ripping bitrate in 'Import Settings' on iTunes to the aac bitrate you want (256/320/whatever)
- filter all the lossless files in your library by typing 'lossless' in the search bar top right
- select them all using Cmd-A
- right click and 'Create AAC Version'

This'll give you a complete set of AAC files (complete with artwork). It'll take a while.

Then you can filter by using smart playlists with 'Bit Rate' as the filter.

 

[Craig M.]

brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i'll get on that tonight.

 

[Craig M.]

bloody ****** it!

now have 2 versions of all my songs and seperated them with smart playlist. but, when browsing the files using ipod remote, if i look in the albums or artists list, then i see both versions again.

what i need is 2 completely seperate libraries, with itunes defaulting to the lossless one. if i want to copy mp3 files to the ipod, then i will plug the mouse and keyboard in and change the libraries over.

am i finding apple, itunes and osx to be the most hated thing in my life right now, because i'm used to windows? because every time i try to do something, i end up having to go for a walk to calm down!!

 

[John Duncan]

Yeah, OSX is a total pain...

But if the playlist thing isn't working for you, yeah you need two libraries. Let me have a think about whether there's an easy way of doing that (I'm thinking not, initially).

 

[John Duncan]

Useful post here

 

[Craig M.]

i eventually got it sorted, 2 libraries in seperate locations, then click option when starting itunes. bit of a pain but got there in the end. still hate apple though