How do you add songs to your Library?

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Level 1

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How do you add songs to your Library?

I loaded iTunes, and "ADDed a folder" to search for my music.

I have subsequently added new songs to that folder but when I open iTunes they are not there.

How do I add songs to the iTunes library?

The only way I have been able to is one song at a time by "Add file to Library" not the least bit user friendly.

Thanks

Windows XP

Posted on Dec 17, 2007 8:53 AM

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Answer 1

varjak paw

Level 10

170,200 points

Dec 17, 2007 8:57 AM in response to GFH

iTunes has no folder-watching feature, so just putting tracks into the folder will not get them into iTunes. Using strictly iTunes, you'll have to add any such tracks manually, by dragging them to the iTunes window or by using the Add To Library command. There is, however, a possible third-party process that might work. Look at this web page.

Thanks to Hudgie for the tip.

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Answer 2

GFH Author

Level 1

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Dec 17, 2007 9:06 AM in response to varjak paw

Let me get this, iTunes has no capability to watch for added songs. You're kidding right?

If I add a hundred songs to my music folder I have to go in and add one hundred individually? That would take a week!

I thought Apple was supposed to be "user friendly"

Thanks

G.

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Answer 3

varjak paw

Level 10

170,200 points

Dec 17, 2007 9:09 AM in response to GFH

iTunes has no capability to watch for added songs. You're kidding right?

No, I'm not kidding.

If I add a hundred songs to my music folder I have to go in and add one hundred individually? That would take a week!

It would take about ten minutes. Or add them in a folder rather than just dumping them loose into the main folder and just use the "Add Folder to Library" command which would take about ten seconds. Or try the utility I mentioned above which, if it works for you, will take no extra time at all.

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Answer 4

GFH Author

Level 1

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Dec 17, 2007 9:27 AM in response to GFH

I'll try it thanks but it still baffles me that iTunes won't do it.

How would you get it down to 10 minutes? I can't see how having to go FILE|ADD FILE TO LIBRARY, then click through to the proper folder and then look for the song and then OPEN, one hundred times can be done in 10 minutes.

Thanks again

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Answer 5

varjak paw

Level 10

170,200 points

Dec 17, 2007 9:31 AM in response to GFH

I'd drag the tracks to the iTunes window, in small batches preferably.

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Answer 6

Dec 17, 2007 12:06 PM in response to GFH

So how are you adding this music?

If its ripped from your CD its automatically added to iTUNES with cover art to boot. If its from iTUNES its automatic already. My purchased tunes were synced straight to my iPOD. You mean if you buy a ton of iTUNEs songs it doesn't sync them?
EMusic.com automatically adds purchased tunes for me to iTUNES.

If its another way, Apple allows drag and drop.
But they don't want to make it easy to add Rhapsody songs in M$ format.
So where are you getting these songs again?

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Answer 7

sraets

Level 1

8 points

Dec 17, 2007 12:07 PM in response to GFH

Put all those songs in one folder (click on the first one, hold down shift, click on the last one, then copy them into a new folder). Open iTunes, click File, click "Add Folder to Library" (note, add FOLDER, not add FILE) and you'll add the whole batch in one fell swoop.

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Answer 8

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Dec 17, 2007 12:20 PM in response to GFH

Not sure if you picked it up or not but do the same as you did on your very first post.

I loaded iTunes, and "ADDed a folder" to search for my music.

Use File -> *Add folder to library* and select the folder where your music is.
You don't need to add each folder or file separately.

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Answer 9

GFH Author

Level 1

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Dec 17, 2007 3:06 PM in response to GFH

Hi,

I put in a new additional hard drive (D:)and transfered all my music onto it.

I also had some other tunes scattered around the first drive (C:) which I have been sorting through and adding to the new drive. It is these additional songs that I did not catch in the first ADD Folders to library that I am trying to add to my library.

I have been putting them in respective folders by Artist and it these additional songs that I am trying to add to my library. They are not in new folders so adding a folder will work as it is already there.

So I am relegated to ADD FILE to library.

I don't get the drag and drop thing. So I get this, I have to open iTunes and Explorer, then find the file in Explorer, click and drag on top of the open iTunes window is that correct?

I don't use iTunes to rip my songs so that method doesn't help either. The only thing I use iTunes for (because I have to) is to get the music on my wifes iPod.

Thanks again.

Message was edited by: GFCH

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Answer 10

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Dec 17, 2007 3:24 PM in response to GFH

*They are not in new folders so adding a folder will work as it is already there.*

Yes, it should work, even if you already added that folder. It will add any new music in that folder (or subfolders).

I don't get the drag and drop thing. So I get this, I have to open iTunes and Explorer, then find the file in Explorer, click and drag on top of the open iTunes window is that correct?

Yes.
Select the folder where the files are or files themselves and drag them onto the Library icon at the top left of iTunes.

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Answer 11

GFH Author

Level 1

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Dec 17, 2007 9:08 PM in response to Chris CA

OK I give up what, does the Library Icon look like because I don't see it.

Still seams like an arcane tedious way of doing things. I still have to go through each and every folder to find the songs I added just so I can drag it over.

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Answer 12

Katrina S.

Level 7

24,131 points

Dec 17, 2007 9:18 PM in response to GFH

Here is a screenshot, the library is in the left column at the very top

http://www.softpedia.com/progScreenshots/iTunes-Screenshot-6318.html

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Answer 13

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Dec 17, 2007 9:28 PM in response to GFH

Okay, it's not an icon. It says Library at the top left of iTunes.
Just drag the music or the folders the music is in to it.

I still have to go through each and every folder to find the songs I added just so I can drag it over.

Why?
Drag the _top level folder_ to the Library. This would be the *iTunes music folder*, where you seem to be putting your music.
Better yet, as has been posted a few times, File -> *Add folder to library* and pick the top level folder. You do not need to select the lowest level folder.

Do this to make it easier.
Open iTunes prefs -> Advanced.
Tick *Copy files to iTunes music folder when adding to library*.
Tick *Keep iTunes music folder organized*.

When you get new music, dump it into a folder on the desktop. Don't worry about sorting it.
Then File -> Add folder to library and select this folder./
Once iTunes is finished adding the music, you can delete the files in the folder on the desktop. iTunes has copied them into the iTunes music folder.

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Answer 14

GFH Author

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Dec 17, 2007 10:02 PM in response to Chris CA

Hi CHris,

Thanks for the reply.

My music is not in the iTunes folder they are in the generic Windows folders on a second drive I have (D:\Music).

Why? you ask, because everyone so far has told me I have to find the songs and click and drag (sorry don't have a MAC so I am unfimilar with this).

I get the ADD FOLDER thing but the folder the music is in has already been added originally. You mean I add it again?

For example if I add an additional song into the Supertramp folder which has already been added to my library, I would ADD FOLDER TO LIBRARY and then select the SUPERTRAMP folder?

Why can't I just ADD the D:\MUSIC folder each time?

And on a "I must be daft" note, I still don't get how you drag something into the library. How do you drag something onto the library? It's far too obvious for me to see it obviously.

My screen doesn't match the screenshots what the previous reply linked me too.

Ok I tried dragging something. I dragged the file on top of the "word" LIBRARY so disregard the previous babble.

As far as your "easier" suggestion which sounds the simplest, can I specify where I want the iTunes folder? I don't want it on C: (space issues) and D: is an external drive.

Many thanks again Chris.

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Answer 15

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Dec 17, 2007 10:18 PM in response to GFH

My music is not in the iTunes folder they are in the generic Windows folders on a second drive I have (D:\Music).

Go to iTunes prefs -> Advanced. Set the iTunes music folder location to D:/Music.
This will use D:/Music for everything
Then File -> *Add folder to library* and select that folder.

I get the ADD FOLDER thing but the folder the music is in has already been added originally. You mean I add it again?

As has been suggested previously, yes.

Why can't I just ADD the D:\MUSIC folder each time?

You can and you should which is why I suggested it a few times already.

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