I would like to know if there is anyway to have two iTunes libraries on one hard drive. I would like all my classical music in one library and everything else in another. Is this at all possible? If so, how can I do this? Thanks!
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
How to make two iTunes libraries on one hard drive
- Thread starter Sirus The Virus
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
That just allows me to create an entirely new library. I'd like to create another one in addition to the one I already have. So it would list like...
Library 1
Library 2
Library 1
Library 2
I'm not sure iTunes is capable of recognising two libraries simultaneously. Would a series of playlists or folders work for you?
Yeah, well... playlists would work I suppose, I would just like to have a separate library for my classical music. Because classical music is sorted differently than other genres. I was just wondering if there was anyway.
Well, you create a new library, then each time you open iTunes hold the option key and you can choose which of your two libraries to open.
I understand that you can open each individual library separately. But I'd like to be able to view them simultaneously. If thats at all possible.
??? Now I'm confused. You want two libraries, but open at once. Why not just have 1 library, and then use smart playlists to separate out your classical from everything else?
Because the classical is together with everything else if you use playlists. With two libraries, I could have classical completely independent from the rest.
Well, if you create two smart playlists, one for genre = classical, and one for genre <> classical, and you look at those rather than looking at your library list then you'll have the two things listed separately.
I would also like to be able to run two libraries at once, rather than using playlists. The reason for this is that I have separate libraries living on separate hard drives. I want to be able to easily move music between the two so I can keep current music on my laptop, and the bulk of the music on my external drive.
I tried copying the iTunes app itself over to the external drive, but I can't open it at the same time as the copy that's on my laptop.
Any other ideas out there?
I tried copying the iTunes app itself over to the external drive, but I can't open it at the same time as the copy that's on my laptop.
Any other ideas out there?
gwalden, the easiest solution I can think of for you is to set up a series of aliases on your internal drive pointing to the external drive's library. iTunes treats aliases as regular files and is happy to play them assuming the drive is connected and mounted.
Would this allow me to seperate my videos with 2 seperate libraries?
Here is my scenario, I have a Mac Pro with LOTS of drive space and I want to encode all my movies in 2 formats, one for the ipod touch@ 750k, the other for apple tv @2500k. The problem I have right now is if I put both movies in itunes it will show 2 copies on the apple tv, which as far as the rest of the family is concerned is NOT an option.
Would using the alt/option key at startup allow me to seperate the two and have the ipod only see the 750kbps movies and the apple tv only see the 2500kbps movies?
Thanks n advance
Here is my scenario, I have a Mac Pro with LOTS of drive space and I want to encode all my movies in 2 formats, one for the ipod touch@ 750k, the other for apple tv @2500k. The problem I have right now is if I put both movies in itunes it will show 2 copies on the apple tv, which as far as the rest of the family is concerned is NOT an option.
Would using the alt/option key at startup allow me to seperate the two and have the ipod only see the 750kbps movies and the apple tv only see the 2500kbps movies?
Thanks n advance
Uhm... wasn't there a first part of my message as well? 
Anyway, that's what it said...
The iPod will see whichever library is opened once iTunes starts or is already running. If you want the iPod to see one of the libraries, you'll have to start iTunes with the "correct" library, since it wants to synchronize with any library it finds (which you can cancel of course).
Anyway, that's what it said...The iPod will see whichever library is opened once iTunes starts or is already running. If you want the iPod to see one of the libraries, you'll have to start iTunes with the "correct" library, since it wants to synchronize with any library it finds (which you can cancel of course).
There must be a way
I've been trying for a similar solution for a long time, all my music is on my hard-drive and i have a separate library for this, and i have a small amount of music on my mbp with another library, that i use when on the move. Surely theres a way to open two libraries or maybe two iTunes to drag between them?
I've been trying for a similar solution for a long time, all my music is on my hard-drive and i have a separate library for this, and i have a small amount of music on my mbp with another library, that i use when on the move. Surely theres a way to open two libraries or maybe two iTunes to drag between them?
I need Help too
I ahve an itunes library and my dad just got an ipod but he doesnt want all my music on it. How do I make a seperate Library if I only have 1 computer?
I ahve an itunes library and my dad just got an ipod but he doesnt want all my music on it. How do I make a seperate Library if I only have 1 computer?