Can iTunes RIP CD's but not import tracks?

Question

Level 1

17 points

Can iTunes RIP CD's but not import tracks?

I have a large collection of CD's that is taking up too much space in my basement; I'd like to rip them in a lossless format to an external hard drive as an archive and then get rid of the CD's. However, I don't necessarily want all this music in my iTunes library, which is on my MBP's internal hard drive. So, what I'd like to do is use iTunes as a tool to rip the tracks but not import them into my library. I can always pick and choose which tracks to import via a separate process, and probably as mp3's.

Can iTunes do that or will I need to find some other software? If something else, can anyone recommend a title?

Thanks,
Nick

Mac Pro (2x2.8 Xeon), 17" MacBook Pro 3.06 GB Core Duo, Mac OS X (10.6.3), Windows 7 on Boot Camp

Posted on Apr 2, 2010 1:54 PM

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Answer 1

Chris CA

Level 10

82,759 points

Apr 2, 2010 2:15 PM in response to nickditoro

You cannot RIP with iTunes and not have it in yoru library, however...

Just create a new library.
The only real difference between songs in a folder and an iTunes library is the iTunes library database file.

Hold Option and launch iTunes.
Select *New library* and select the external drive.
Set the import settings as you wan ald RIP away.
To change back to the other library, hold Option and launch iTunes.
Select *New library* and select the *iTunes library* file in \Music\iTunes\ folder.

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Answer 2

nickditoro Author

Level 1

17 points

Apr 2, 2010 2:19 PM in response to Chris CA

Very cool! Thank!

Nick

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Answer 3

Chris CA

Level 10

82,759 points

Apr 2, 2010 2:26 PM in response to nickditoro

When you want to add MP3s to the original library from the lossless library, open the mp3 library (as above).
Hold Option, go to menu Afdanced -> Convert MP3m tehn select teh files/folders you wan to add to th eMP3 library.
This will import and convert in one action.
No need to add the lossless, convert it then delete the lossless. And no need to use other software to convert, copy, move, etc.

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Answer 4

nickditoro Author

Level 1

17 points

Apr 2, 2010 2:37 PM in response to Chris CA

Thanks, again, Chris. You've been most helpful.

Nick

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Answer 5

Chris CA

Level 10

82,759 points

Apr 2, 2010 2:41 PM in response to nickditoro

Glad I could help!

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Answer 6

varjak paw

Level 10

182,870 points

Apr 2, 2010 2:42 PM in response to nickditoro

If you want to rip tracks but not have them in iTunes, use Max. It's free and a great ripper; probably the best available on a Mac.

Regards.

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Answer 7

nickditoro Author

Level 1

17 points

Apr 2, 2010 2:59 PM in response to varjak paw

Thanks, Dave. That's good info.

Nick

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Answer 8

Apr 2, 2010 3:28 PM in response to nickditoro

By the way, don't get rid of the CDs. They are basically your "license" that you have the right to have a copy of the music on your computer.

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Answer 9

Rob Ryan

Level 2

489 points

Apr 2, 2010 3:31 PM in response to nickditoro

Do I safely assume you're familiar with the "Import Settings" on the "General" tab in iTunes preferences? That let's you specify the import format (e.g., if lossless is the key criteria, either AIFF or "Apple Lossless Format").

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Answer 10

nickditoro Author

Level 1

17 points

Apr 2, 2010 4:58 PM in response to Limnos

Good point. Too bad I have to keep bumping into them while I trying to do my laundry. 🙂

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Answer 11

nickditoro Author

Level 1

17 points

Apr 2, 2010 4:59 PM in response to Rob Ryan

Yes, I am familiar with that setting. My original concern was avoiding importing everything I RIP into my main iTunes library, and that's been addressed.

Thanks,
Nick

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