Shrink iTunes Library size

[tfitzsimons]

Hi guys,

A quick scan with the incredibly useful "Disk Inventory X" shows me that my iTunes library is getting a bit big for my new, 256 GB macbook air hard drive. I had a 500GB before on my old macbook pro.

I am going to delete some files I don't want, but I think part of the problem is that the music I have been downloading has gotten progressively bigger. I remember the days when all files were 128kb/s, but these days everything seems to be at least twice that, and sometimes a bit more.

Is there a simple, one step process that can downgrade the file size from the larger ones, while maintaining the metadata like play count and place in playlists, etc? I know how to create a lower quality version within itunes but I don't know how to do it in a way that preserves metadata.

Thanks,
Tim

 

[ReggaeFire]

All you need to do is select a new quality setting in Preferences, then highlight the tracks you want to downgrade, go to the Advanced menu, hold down option and select "Convert to AAC..." (or whatever you chose in your settings)

 

[mstrze]

Before you effectively degrade the quality of your music files (the bits you throw away will never be recoverable in the future) why not look to host your iTunes library externally? Like perhaps from a USB 2.0 drive hooked up to an Airport Extreme Base Station? Or buy a portable external HDD so you can take the music with you?

 

[tfitzsimons]

I think the solution from reggaefire is best - thanks!

I don't really care about downgrading the quality of songs forever since there is always an easy way to get super high quality versions in the future...

 

[Shrink]

"Shrink iTunes Library Size"

I'm suing for Username Copyright Infringement.

MR, you'll be hearing from my lawyers.

 

[yongren]

If a big chunk of your iTunes library is made up of video files, you could always put those on an external drive... keeping the music on your local drive... and only copying the videos over when you need them. (It'll take all of about 45 seconds with the Air's SSD.)

I had to split my iTunes like this to free up space on my 11" Air. It's definitely preferable to decreasing the audio quality of the whole library, at least as far as I'm concerned...

 

[mstrze]

I had to split my iTunes like this to free up space on my 11" Air. It's definitely preferable to decreasing the audio quality of the whole library, at least as far as I'm concerned...

But "since there is always an easy way to get super high quality versions in the future... " the OP apparantly isn't worried about that.

Makes me wonder how much he 'paid' for these song to begin with.

 

[tfitzsimons]

But "since there is always an easy way to get super high quality versions in the future... " the OP apparantly isn't worried about that.

Makes me wonder how much he 'paid' for these song to begin with.

that is speculation, luckily. for music i have paid for, for cds i have ripped, i do not care about the ways in which i download them in the future.

in any event, this is all a moot point if any of us get itunes match.