Managing multiple iTunes libraries ...

[The Final Cut]

I just got a macbook air so I decided to have a mini itunes library on the machine and a full one on my external HDD. But now Im thinking how Would add music to both libraries? I would have to copy the music twice and give it artwork, names , etc?

 

[GGJstudios]

I just got a macbook air so I decided to have a mini itunes library on the machine and a full one on my external HDD. But now Im thinking how Would add music to both libraries? I would have to copy the music twice and give it artwork, names , etc?

You don't need to copy the songs on the internal drive to the external, unless you choose to. My library won't fit on my internal, so I have one iTunes library, with some files located on the internal drive and some located on the external. You don't need multiple libraries.

 

[The Final Cut]

You don't need to copy the songs on the internal drive to the external, unless you choose to. My library won't fit on my internal, so I have one iTunes library, with some files located on the internal drive and some located on the external. You don't need multiple libraries.

how do you do that?

 

[GGJstudios]

how do you do that?

1. Create a music folder on your internal drive and store what you want there.
2. Create a music folder on the external drive and store what you want there.
3. Launch iTunes and create a new library.
4. File > Add to Library and select the internal drive music folder.
5. File > Add to Library and select the external drive music folder.

 

[The Final Cut]

1. Create a music folder on your internal drive and store what you want there.
2. Create a music folder on the external drive and store what you want there.
3. Launch iTunes and create a new library.
4. File > Add to Library and select the internal drive music folder.
5. File > Add to Library and select the external drive music folder.

So since I have my library on my external now, I select that as my iTunes media folder than have another folder in my internal drive music folder by pressing add to library and then when I want to add music, I just drag into to itunes, but what if my external is not connected? I am a bit confused...

 

[GGJstudios]

So since I have my library on my external now, I select that as my iTunes media folder than have another folder in my internal drive music folder by pressing add to library and then when I want to add music, I just drag into to itunes, but what if my external is not connected? I am a bit confused...

If your external is not connected at the time you launch iTunes, of course those songs will have the exclamation mark (!) in front of them, indicating that iTunes can't find those songs. Just leave them alone and play other songs. When you reconnect the external and relaunch iTunes, they'll play just fine.

 

[The Final Cut]

If your external is not connected at the time you launch iTunes, of course those songs will have the exclamation mark (!) in front of them, indicating that iTunes can't find those songs. Just leave them alone and play other songs. When you reconnect the external and relaunch iTunes, they'll play just fine.

Thanks for your help, one more question...What if I try to add music without the external connected, where would it go?

 

[GGJstudios]

Thanks for your help, one more question...What if I try to add music without the external connected, where would it go?

Wherever you specify in iTunes > Preferences > Advanced > iTunes Media folder location