Q: Why can't I manually add artwork for some albums (Mac)

Read this and then do the last steps.

Diogeneswasright wrote:

 

Well, yeah, for part of that. I kind of figured I’d have to copy my “Album Artwork” folder which contains my “Cache”, “Cloud Purchases”, “Download”, “Missing Album Artwork”, and “Remote” folders. I planned on copying the “iTunes Library Extras” database file, “iTunes Library” database file, “iTunes Library Genius” database file, “iTunes Library” XML file, and the “iTunes Music Library” XML file.

and all that is inside the iTunes folder.

Much simpler to copy the entire folder rather than bit/piece everything.

It really doesn't matter where you move iTunes if everything is inside the iTunes folder.

For iTunes Windows, hold Shift, (Mac hold Option), launch iTunes,  select Choose library... and select the iTunes folder wherever it is.

Default location for iTunes is /Users/your account/Music/.

If you put it there, iTunes should automatically find it and use it.

The "Libraries" item in Windows Explorer is kinda nebulous, It's not a real folder.

won’t my new pathway for syncing music be (Drive):\iTunes\iTunes Media\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media\Music?

Yes, that will be the location of the media.

To say "that's where it sync to" is kinda wrong. But the itunes library files are what tells iTunes where everything is.

You can have media in many differnt places but it's real pain to manage.

Keep it all inside the iTunes folder and your life is simple.

iTunes on my old computer syncs to D:\iTunes\iTunes Media\Music.

Okay. Since the iTunes media is in a different location, do this...

On old computer...

1. Quit iTunes.
2. Go to C:\Users\youruser\My Music\.
3. Find the iTunes folder and copy it to your D: drive.
4. Hold Shift, launch iTunes, select Choose library... and select the iTunes folder you just copied to the D: drive.
5. iTunes should work fine.
6. Go to to prefs > Advanced.
7. Set iTunes media folder location to D:/iTunes/.
8. Tick Keep iTunes media folder organized.
9. Tick Copy files to iTunes media folder when adding to library
10. Click OK.
11. Go to iTunes menu File > LIbrary > Organize library and tick Consolidate.
12. This will copy everything in iTunes into D:/iTunes/iTunes media. The library, the artwork, the media files, etc.
13. Quit iTunes.

1. Copy D:/iTUnes; folder to the new computer, whichever drive/wherever you want.
2. On the new computer, hold Shift, launch iTunes, select Choose library... and select the iTunes folder you copied to new computer.
3. That is all you need to do. iTunes will use this iTunes folder for everything.
   

Wonderful explanation, Chris. Thank you.

I've already got iTunes (with all its associated sub-folders) on D: drive on my old computer. I already have the "Keep iTunes Media folder organized" and the "Copy files to iTunes media folder when adding to library" boxes checked. So I believe I've already done steps 1-13 that you describe in the "On old computer" section of your explanation. Am I correct? The new computer process (steps 1-3) you describe seems very unhectic.

Am I correct to assume that when I first download iTunes on my new computer, iTunes will ask me where I want to install the program, and I then change the pathway to (my 3TB Fred) drive? I forget whether it asked this on my old computer or whether it just automaticaly installed everything on C: drive. Not a huge issue if it automatically installs the program on C: drive. I'll just have to do the same thing I did on my old computer as you describe in steps 1-13. Am I also correct to assume that when I copy my iTunes folder from the D: drive on my old computer that iTunes will then ask me if I want to overwrite the existing iTunes folder on (Fred) drive in my new computer?

Or do I even need to bother downloading iTunes to my new computer? Will copying the iTunes folder from my old computer to my new computer install iTunes on my new computer? Then all I may need to do is authorize my new computer.

Inquiring minds want to know.

Soooo.... if my computer doesn't explode when I try this, I'll write you back to let you know that the process wasn't as hectic as I may have thought.

Make sure you do step 11 -

iTunes menu File > LIbrary > Organize library and tick Consolidate.

Am I correct to assume that when I first download iTunes on my new computer, iTunes will ask me where I want to install the program

No. The application needs to be installed on the boot drive.

It wlll install the application in Programs on the C: drive and create C:/users/your_username/My Music/iTunes.

This is the default location for iTunes library but you are not going to use that location.

and I then change the pathway to (my 3TB Fred) drive?

No. Don't change anything.

If you copy the iTunes folder to C:/users/your_username/My MusicSimply, then install iTunes, just launch iTunes normally.

If you copy the iTunes folder to anywhere else except C:/users/your_username/My Music, you will need to hold Shift, launch iTunes, select Choose library... and select the iTunes folder you copied to the new computer.

I'll just have to do the same thing I did on my old computer as you describe in steps 1-13.

No. None of his is needed.

Am I also correct to assume that when I copy my iTunes folder from the D: drive on my old computer that iTunes will then ask me if I want to overwrite the existing iTunes folder on (Fred) drive in my new computer?

If you are copying the iTunes folder to to C:/users/your_username/My Music/ and there is already an iTunes folder there (because you have already installed iTunes) yes it will ask to overwrite.

Yes, you need to install the iTunes application on your new computer. If you first copy the iTunes folder then install iTunes. it will open and be exactly the same as old computer.

Lotsa words here but they are mostly to make sure you understand what's going on.

Bottom line?

You are making sure everything is inside the iTunes folder then you are copying the iTunes folder to new computer.

You have used lotsa words here, Chris. But I’ve learned in life that sound bites are not enough to convey important information. Sound bites lead to assumptions in order to fill in the gaps. Too many people look at me with glazed expressions when I explain something I know well. Too few ask questions to fill in the gaps. Until I started making better use of 3D drawings, I sat in many meetings with doctors and nurses who got glazed looks and were obviously unsure of the information shown in my plans, elevations, and sections. Few of them asked questions. Why do people pretend they understand what they don’t?

I was one of those kids who was never afraid to ask questions in school. After I’d ask, I’d almost always see at least five people sigh, immediately start taking notes, or both. I always wondered what sort of fool would make uncertain assumptions when you can easily ask someone who clearly knows the information and can provide a more detailed explanation. You clearly know your stuff, Chris. You have provided me with clear explanations of procedures I want to learn. I am grateful that you took the time to fill in my information gaps.

I never knew that iTunes automatically installed on “the boot drive.” I never knew what a “boot drive” was. I’m assuming, since all of my previous computers automatically opened in C: drive, that we would call that the “boot drive.” I won’t take up your time asking if it is possible to change the “boot drive” to another drive. Now that I know there is such a thing called a “boot drive” I can ask some local experts.

I will ask one more question (probably):

On my old computer, there is an iTunes folder on C: drive in Libraries\Music (the one with the note icon). I ASSUME it’s the same folder as OS (C:) Users\my name\My Music\iTunes. I never erased that file even though I have the iTunes folder on D: drive that contains my library and all its associated information. Can I erase the folder that will be created in C: Libraries\Music - (OS (C:) Users\my name\My Music\) - after I install iTunes on my new computer? Will having the files that iTunes installs in OS (C:) Program Files (x86)\iTunes and the iTunes music library file I install on (OS Fred:) be enough to run the program smoothly and without any other computer knowledge on my part? Or is there some connectivity issue with the old iTunes file at OS (C:) Users\my name\My Music\ ?

A boot drive is the drive with the currently running computer OS.

Applications are installed in C:/Programs.

 

On my old computer, there is an iTunes folder on C: drive in Libraries\Music (the one with the note icon). I ASSUME it’s the same folder as OS (C:) Users\my name\My Music\iTunes.

Yes it is the same.

Libraries, on the left sidebar of Windows Explorer is not real folder on the drive.

It is simply a heading pointing to a few other folder (My Music, My Photos, etc.)

You can put the iTunes folder with th elibrary files and the media wherever you want.

Just hold Shift, launch iTunes, select Choose library... and select the iTunes folder you copied to new computer, wherever you put that folder.

Chris, you didn't answer this question:

Can I erase the folder that will be created in C: Libraries\Music - (OS (C:) Users\my name\My Music\) - after I install iTunes on my new computer?

From your description I can ASSUME a number of possiblities. I can ASSUME iTunes will not automatically create an iTunes folder on my boot drive when it installs. I can ASSUME there are no connectivity issues. I can ASSUME that holding shift when I launch iTunes will stop the creation of an iTunes folder on my boot drive and that iTunes will just use the iTunes folder I've copied to (Fred) drive. Or, I can ASSUME I don't have a complete understanding. A direct answer is best: "No, iTunes will not automatically create an iTunes folder on the boot drive when it installs." Or, "Yes, you can delete the iTunes folder that iTunes will automatically create on the boot drive when it installs." Or, "If you delete the iTunes folder that iTunes will automatically create on the boot drive when it installs, your computer will explode."

Sooo... if I lose all my information because I did this wrong, and I go on a murderous rampage to vent my anger, and they shoot me down like a rabid dog, would you like to be included in my will?

Diogeneswasright wrote:

 

Chris, you didn't answer this question:

Can I erase the folder that will be created in C: Libraries\Music - (OS (C:) Users\my name\My Music\) - after I install iTunes on my new computer?

It will be created if you launch iTunes after you install and do not hold Shift and select a library.

It will not be created simply as part of iTunes installation (I'm pretty sure).

Either way, YES you can delete C:/Users/your_username/My Music/iTunes/ folder.

the folder that will be created in C: Libraries\Music

-> http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/libraries

Chris, a couple of clarifications for future explanations:

During the initial install, some items were not clear to me. Things didn't happen exactly as I understood the explanation and it didn’t work. I just uninstalled iTunes and reinstalled it. Failed experiment #1. Sucess on experiment #2.

1. During the iTunes install, a window pops up that has a checked box that says, “Open iTunes after the install?” I unchecked the box and hit “Run.” It worked for me as it allowed me to launch iTunes, at my leisure, with the shift key pressed. I didn’t want iTunes to launch automatically when I wasn’t ready. And I didn’t want to try holding down the shift key the entire time until it launched.

2. When iTunes launches with the shift key pressed and asks “Choose Library” it doesn’t allow you to choose the iTunes folder. I had to go into the iTunes folder and choose the iTunes Library database file (*.itl).

iTunes came up SUHWEET! After I chose the iTunes Library database file. All of my metadata, album artwork, even my playlists show on my new computer.

3. iTunes does indeed create an iTunes folder with all the sub folders and files on C: drive in the “Music” (with the note symbol) folder. As per your instructions, I deleted the file and nothing bad happened.

… So far, so good.

Thanks for getting me most of the way there. It was fairly unhectic.

Hi all, desperate about iTunes Artwork failure: Kick the questioned song/album out, i.e. delete it to the trash (but be sure to have it otherwise save on your machine, e.g. in your music folder), then import it anew - and eureka! you will be able to add which artwork so ever you want,

happy again

wernerjacob

Interestingly enough, depending on the version of AIFF you can add artwork.

For instance: the version that exports from (Mixed In Key) Flow will not allow you to add artwork if you import it directly into iTunes.

If, however, you open in it Audacity and choose Export as AIFF (Apple/SGI) you can add some meta information before you import it, and then adding the artwork in iTunes becomes possible.

I think the big difference is that Flow exports at 44,100 sample rate with 32 bits per sample. Audacity exports at 44,100 sample rate with 16 bits per sample. The file from Flow (for a shade over 1 hour) is 1.8 GB, the file from Audacity is 641 MB.

Remove Read only in 'properties' of music files and artwork can be added OK

I think I found why some AIFF were not saving the artwork:

I use Yaikoz audio tagger to fetch all meta data and artwork and it usually renames then as .aif instead of .aiff.

So I did a .aiff search on my library and with NameChanger replaced all occurrences of .aiff with .aif

All is well now....