iTunes Library on Multiple Drives

Jdtwyo · Jan 24, 2013, 08:38 AM

So I have a large Itunes library and I have exceeded my 2tb drive. I have made up my mind that I am going to buy a Synology but in the mean time. Can you put your itunes library across multiple drives. I.e Some movies on one drive, music on another, etc.

I have 4 external drives just sitting around that I would like to use until I can drop the cash on a synology.

MarkG21 · Jan 24, 2013, 08:54 AM

sure can. Just make sure to uncheck copy files to itunes media folder in preferences advance tab. (if it's already checked)

Billit · Jan 24, 2013, 02:27 PM

And the drives can be across multiple computers.

SurfMacJpMtb · Jan 24, 2013, 03:14 PM

Yes, you can have multiple drives. I allow iTunes to organize my music but not my movies or TV shows. My video files are on another drive in multiple folders. When I import a movie or TV show I hold down the option key and the video file is not moved from the location I placed it. Hopefully that makes sense. The key is to hold the option key when importing files that you don't want iTunes to "organize".

Pyromonkey83 · Jan 24, 2013, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurfMacJpMtb

Yes, you can have multiple drives. I allow iTunes to organize my music but not my movies or TV shows. My video files are on another drive in multiple folders. When I import a movie or TV show I hold down the option key and the video file is not moved from the location I placed it. Hopefully that makes sense. The key is to hold the option key when importing files that you don't want iTunes to "organize".

You can either do it this way or uncheck the box in preferences that says "copy files to itunes folder" under advanced. This will also do it for music however, but when you rip music from a CD or buy from iTunes, it will automatically place it in your iTunes folder.

If you get music from other sources, you can also add the files normally from wherever, then select said files, right click them, and click "consolidate files" and it will move them to your iTunes folder like normal.

Jdtwyo · Jan 25, 2013, 11:34 AM

Thanks for the info. Im not sure why I didnt realize that. I currently have my entire library on a 2tb external. What do you think the best way to reorganize it all is? I have plenty of room on my main HDD to move all my Apps, Books, and Music to the main library. It's really my movies that I want to spread across multiple external drives.

Any tips for reorganizing would be really appreciated.

GGJstudios · Jan 25, 2013, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdtwyo

So I have a large Itunes library and I have exceeded my 2tb drive. I have made up my mind that I am going to buy a Synology but in the mean time. Can you put your itunes library across multiple drives. I.e Some movies on one drive, music on another, etc.

Yes. How to split a single iTunes library over two or more media locations

Jdtwyo · Jan 25, 2013, 12:03 PM

THANKS.

Im a search dummy!

Phish311 · Jan 25, 2013, 12:11 PM

I would like to do this as well, however, with a number of movies or tv shows i add to itunes, the file name does not "clean up" until a consolidate. Is there a work around other than editing that myself. This happens mostly with m4v files

Jan 24, 2013, 08:38 AM	#1
Jdtwyo macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2008	iTunes Library on Multiple Drives So I have a large Itunes library and I have exceeded my 2tb drive. I have made up my mind that I am going to buy a Synology but in the mean time. Can you put your itunes library across multiple drives. I.e Some movies on one drive, music on another, etc. I have 4 external drives just sitting around that I would like to use until I can drop the cash on a synology.
	0

Jan 24, 2013, 03:14 PM	#4
SurfMacJpMtb macrumors member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: USA	Yes, you can have multiple drives. I allow iTunes to organize my music but not my movies or TV shows. My video files are on another drive in multiple folders. When I import a movie or TV show I hold down the option key and the video file is not moved from the location I placed it. Hopefully that makes sense. The key is to hold the option key when importing files that you don't want iTunes to "organize". __________________ MacPro, MacBook Pro, iPad, iPod Touch, tv
	0

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Jan 24, 2013, 08:54 AM	#2
MarkG21 macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2010	sure can. Just make sure to uncheck copy files to itunes media folder in preferences advance tab. (if it's already checked)
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Jan 24, 2013, 02:27 PM	#3
Billit macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Illinois	And the drives can be across multiple computers.
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Jan 25, 2013, 11:34 AM	#6
Jdtwyo Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2008	Thanks for the info. Im not sure why I didnt realize that. I currently have my entire library on a 2tb external. What do you think the best way to reorganize it all is? I have plenty of room on my main HDD to move all my Apps, Books, and Music to the main library. It's really my movies that I want to spread across multiple external drives. Any tips for reorganizing would be really appreciated.
	0

Jan 25, 2013, 12:03 PM	#8
Jdtwyo Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2008	THANKS. Im a search dummy!
	0

Jan 25, 2013, 12:11 PM	#9
Phish311 macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2007	I would like to do this as well, however, with a number of movies or tv shows i add to itunes, the file name does not "clean up" until a consolidate. Is there a work around other than editing that myself. This happens mostly with m4v files
	0


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