Can't drag and drop MP3 files into GB since Snow Leopard upgrade

Question

Level 1

11 points

Can't drag and drop MP3 files into GB since Snow Leopard upgrade

Not sure if this is a known issue but ever since I have upgraded to Snow Leopard (10.6), I have only been able to import (drag & drop) some MP3's into a podcast project. For example, some files I was able to import before, no longer can be dragged and dropped to create a new track.

I've tried creating a new podcast project but thats not working either. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

-Ben

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6), 2.4Ghz Intel Core 2 Dou, 4Gb RAM, 320Gb HD, 256Mb GeForce 8600M GT

Posted on Sep 2, 2009 7:54 PM

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Answer 1

benducklow Author

Level 1

11 points

Sep 2, 2009 8:37 PM in response to benducklow

Update: I deleted the com.apple.garageband.cs, com.apple.garageband.plist and com.apple.garageband.LSSharedFileList.plist under my User account and relaunched GB; files were re-created but no change in final result.

I also confirmed that AIFF files and built in GB loops/sound effects work without issue.

Any help out there??

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Answer 2

poflynn

Level 4

1,303 points

Sep 2, 2009 10:49 PM in response to benducklow

Did you try repairing permissions as well? Also make sure files are lower case .mp3, not .MP3.

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Answer 3

benducklow Author

Level 1

11 points

Sep 3, 2009 4:15 PM in response to poflynn

Thanks for the response poflynn - Yes I've done that with no change in end result. One other thing I have tried is to right-click on an Mp3 and try to force it to open with GB and I get the following error:

*"<filename.mp3> could not be handled because Garageband cannot open files in "MP3 Audio" format"*

Could it be an issue with a plug-in or missing plug-in under Library\Audio\Plug-Ins?

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Answer 4

benducklow Author

Level 1

11 points

Sep 17, 2009 6:36 PM in response to benducklow

Update: Performed a clean install of Snow Leopard then installed GB from my iLife '09 disc and am running into same issue. This is pretty frustrating!

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Answer 5

Sep 18, 2009 4:17 AM in response to benducklow

Try coverting your file into an AIFF file in iTunes:

http://www.bulletsandbones.com/GB/FAQPages/NeverFail.html

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Answer 6

benducklow Author

Level 1

11 points

Sep 18, 2009 7:06 AM in response to Christoph Drösser

Thanks for the reply.

Yeah, I could do that but I produce a weekly radio podcast show which means I would have to convert my entire MP3 collection over; obviously trying to avoid that. I've reverted back to Leopard and am able to drag and drop MP3 files into BG just fine. I guess I'll be sticking to that unless I find a resolution to this GB issue or I move to a different product entirely.

I welcome any other suggestions!

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Answer 7

Oct 6, 2009 7:23 AM in response to benducklow

I have found the same issue with dragging MP3 files into garageband. Sometimes it will take them and sometimes it won't. If it doesn't import I get the FILE NOT FOUND in GB even though it loads the track (just no sound). When and IF I can actually import, and SAVE or SAVE AS (and ARCHIVE) it still manages to give me FILE NOT FOUND XXX.AIF and - Skip or Search? when I try to load the saved music project file and program again. This is very frustrating as a new user - I have not tried with Leopard only Snow Leopard. (Or is it Windows XP and Vista?)

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Answer 8

LoKi_G

Level 1

0 points

Oct 6, 2009 10:06 AM in response to Mikeatcaz

I have this same issue since upgrading to Snow Leopard. I also do a weekly podcast that relies on GB. It seems to only be select mp3 files. I initially thought it was only ones recorded on a windows machine, but I was able to disprove that as. I then thought it might be files over 50mb...that's still a possibility. The ONLY way I've been able to get around this is to open the mp3 in iTunes and right-click convert it to apple lossless. That takes maybe 2min for a 50mb mp3 and I'm then able to drag it into GB.

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Answer 9

Oct 6, 2009 11:10 PM in response to LoKi_G

File size isn't an issue - I still get the problem even with a small .mp3 file. I even get the "File Not Found" on and .aif sound track after doing a sound recording into the computer's built in microphone. If I drag an .aif file into a track it seems to "find" it once I close GB and reopen the project. (I guess this is what you mean by lossless?)

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Answer 10

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

Oct 7, 2009 1:40 AM in response to Mikeatcaz

(I guess this is what you mean by lossless?

Apple Lossless is a file format, just like aiff, or mp3. it's half the size of an aiff, but looses no quality (lossless)

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Answer 11

Oct 7, 2009 8:38 AM in response to HangTime

Thank you for that information. I was assuming lossless was a larger file than aiff - That helps in keeping the project file size down.

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Answer 12

Nov 3, 2009 1:22 AM in response to Mikeatcaz

Does anyone have any solutions other than switching back to Leopard?

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Answer 13

Dec 20, 2009 7:43 PM in response to Mikeatcaz

I just read another from another website - http://www.bulletsandbones.com/GB/FAQPages/OddBallProbs.html

that if you choose delete the prefernce files .plist/.cs and use "SAVE AS" vs "SAVE" the files I referred to above get saved when attempting to open th project again. I tried it and it seems to work for me now. I hope this helps others with the GB *"File Not Found"* dilemma in Leopard and Garageband V5.1

Message was edited by: Mikeatcaz

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Answer 14

isteveus

Level 5

4,334 points

Dec 21, 2009 6:50 PM in response to Mikeatcaz

I'm unable to recreate this. I dragged several mp3 files into garageband without any problem.

Where did you get the mp3 files from?

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Answer 15

Dec 23, 2009 2:22 PM in response to isteveus

Dropped the MP3 files from my HD into GB '09. Save the file and close (or save as). When I open it again the "files are not found", I thought I had resolved this with the MP3 files but no luck. Did you try to duplicate this?

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