How to set iPod Classic so it stops automatically at the end of each song?

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Level 1

8 points

How to set iPod Classic so it stops automatically at the end of each song?

I used to use my iPod Classic to play backing tracks in a band. I set it somehow so that at the end of each song it would stop and return to the song list. I could then scroll to which song I needed next (usually the next one on the lst) and start it playing when I wanted to, i.e. when the band was ready.

I now want to use it in a similar fashion, but can't find how to set it again (or the songs?) to achieve the above! At the end of each song in an album, it simply starts playing the next song after it has finished one. But I want it to stop and return to the list of songs. Shuffle and Repeat are set to off.

I know there is a way to do this because about four years ago I had the secret, but I recall it did take a long time to find the solution on the internet, it may even have been here!

I hope someone can help me. Thank you in advance!

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Sep 10, 2021 11:45 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

the fiend

Level 7

22,914 points

Sep 11, 2021 2:51 AM in response to SkylineUK

Perhaps you mean set the songs to Skip when shuffling (in your iTunes Library). Once synced with the Classic, if you put the iPod into shuffle mode and then play a song, since every other song in that list is set to skip when shuffling, there will be nothing else for it to play and therefore it will stop.

The check-boxes that tt2 referred to are easily seen in the Songs view in your iTunes Library. However, if you use that method, you need to make sure you're not using sync only ticked songs and videos as an option when syncing. If you do, those songs will not be added to (or stay on) your iPod.

I suggest you check before spending a lot of time changing anything. Put your iPod into shuffle mode and play a song. What happens when it ends? If the player stops, that suggests that the other songs (in that list only) are set to skip when shuffling. Remember that just because one list contains songs that are set to skip, it doesn't mean every song on your iPod is.

You can also check in your library. Use the Songs view or, if you're in a Playlist, use the View/View As/Songs, which will show the check boxes:

select the songs you want to be skipped when shuffling
click Edit/Get Info (or right-click the selection/Get Info)
click on Edit items when it pops up
look on the Options tab at the Skip when shuffling box. See the results in the screenshots below:

in this first screenshot, none of the selection is ticked:

in this screenshot, some, but not all of the selection is ticked:

and in this final screenshot, all of the selection is ticked (checked). Note the white tick in the green circle, indicating that I've just changed that setting:

Don't forget to click on OK if you change anything. Then sync the iPod with iTunes for the changes to take effect.

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Answer 2

SkylineUK Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 10, 2021 11:54 PM in response to turingtest2

Thanks. Do you mean on iTunes before I sync it to my iPod? I tried making both an album and a playlist of seven test tracks, syncing to my iPod and both play through all the songs without stopping. Whereabouts do I uncheck the songs?

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Answer 3

SkylineUK Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 11, 2021 12:35 AM in response to SkylineUK

The only work around I can manage is to go into Song Info and make each song from a 'dummy' unique album. I can then play the 'album' which only has one song in it, so playing stops after that.

But I'd love to know where the screen is with the check boxes, I can't find one for the life of me!

I much appreciate your interest and time, thank you.

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Answer 4

turingtest2

Level 10

274,464 points

Sep 11, 2021 4:25 AM in response to SkylineUK

As noted the checkboxes are shown in the Songs layouts of the library or a playlist. If you don't see them use Edit > Preferences > General > Show > List view checkboxes. Again you'll need to ensure that you don't have the Sync only checked songs and videos option selected so that the unchecked songs can be included in the sync.

tt2

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Answer 5

SkylineUK Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 11, 2021 5:28 AM in response to turingtest2

Many thanks for all the help. Thanks to TT's last post I have managed to reveal tick boxes at last! I think these very helpful posts will get me to where I was a while back, i.e. songs stop and return to the album/playlist list.

But in experimenting with my workaround I've actually found it is safer for use in a live playing situation. I remember finding that with the old method of cueing and playing the backing tracks it was possible to slip in the song list when winding the iPod's cursor ring and play the wrong track, which starts right away. By making each song tied to it's own unique one-track album, I find that when a track finishes it takes me back to the album list where I can then select the next album (with the next tune in it) and I can be sure before going any further I have selected the correct one, because the next screen shows the single song in that album which I have to manually start playing. So there is no danger of the wrong track starting to play by accident as there is a 'two step' check.

Many thanks for the help chaps, I'm going to print this out now and keep it safe somewhere!

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