Starting a New iTunes Library

Question

Level 3

792 points

Starting a New iTunes Library

I have had iTunes since early 2006, transferred everything with the OSX updates and from new computer to new computer, this was originally on an iMac to an iBook to an iMac and back to my current new iMac. I would like to start fresh, clean out all the old garbage and get a new iTunes Library. I have dozens of previous libraries and a few artwork files.

All I care about are the songs moving over to the new library in perfect condition along with the artwork and song information. I have no use for play counts, etc.

This library sits at about 800GB, all the album art is first class, all the data is spot on. How do I pull this off?

iMac 24" 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, iBook 12" G4, Time Capsule 1TB, AX 802.11n, Mac OS X (10.6.5), iPods 160GB/80GB, iPhone 3GS, Etymotic ER•4P, Nikon cameras/glass

Posted on Dec 17, 2010 9:04 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Dec 18, 2010 9:32 PM in response to ShakuZen

How do I start a new iTunes Library?

Hold Option and launch iTunes.
Select *Create library* and select a location for the library.
Drag the songs into the /iTunes/iTunes media/Automatically add to iTunes/ folder in the location you create the new iTunes library.

Reply

Answer 2

ShakuZen Author

Level 3

792 points

Dec 19, 2010 9:43 AM in response to Chris CA

My iTunes Library will me stored on an external HD, and it is there now. So from this point what is it I need to do? I am confused by the:

+Drag the songs into the /iTunes/iTunes media/Automatically add to iTunes/ folder in the location you create the new iTunes library.+

Am I to understand nothing more than the actual iTunes songs should be on my external HD? All the rest, the Album Artwork, iTunes Library.xml, iTunes Library, etc should be in the MUSIC file on my iMac HD?

I had a very bad experience a few years ago (took weeks to repair) regarding the moving of my iTunes Library, as such I remain gun-shy.

Cheers.

Reply

Answer 3

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Dec 19, 2010 10:05 AM in response to ShakuZen

Am I to understand nothing more than the actual iTunes songs should be on my external HD?

no. The itunes library will be on the external. The itunes library consists of the media files as well as the iTunes folder and all contents.

All the rest, the Album Artwork, iTunes Library.xml, iTunes Library, etc should be in the MUSIC file on my iMac HD?

You can do it this way if you wish.

The way suggested previously, everything will be on the external.

Reply

Answer 4

ShakuZen Author

Level 3

792 points

Dec 19, 2010 8:46 PM in response to Chris CA

OK so I have moved everything to the external HD, that was some 12 hours ago and the process is almost complete. Right now iTunes is completing "determining gapless playback information", 30,546 songs of 68,459. As the total library is massive so this takes time and I really do not want to do anything to disrupt the process like playing music for example.

On my iMac, MUSIC > iTunes, can I delete the file contents? I have Mobile Applications that I am wondering about as the Mobile App file on the iMac is about 3GB and the same file on the external HD is 550mb. I think some downloads must have gone to the iMac in the past, like when I did not have my old external HD turned on (by mistake) and was using iTunes. Perhaps I should go through the file and determine which apps are not on the external HD and move them over to the external HD?

Cheers.

Reply

Answer 5

Dec 10, 2016 12:41 PM in response to ShakuZen

I need to restart a new iTunes folder with Windows 10 Pro 64-bit. I'm trying to get everything in one place in order to copy the good files back into a new version. I have numerous duplicates not located in my iTunes folder. not sure how all of this happened? Can you help?

Reply

Answer 6

ShakuZen Author

Level 3

792 points

Dec 18, 2010 9:14 AM in response to ShakuZen

Wish I could change the Subject Line to: How do I start a new iTunes Library?

Reply

Answer 7

ShakuZen Author

Level 3

792 points

Dec 18, 2010 9:24 PM in response to ShakuZen

Not a bite. I know it is December and all but things are on a slow ship here it appears.

Reply

Answer 8

ShakuZen Author

Level 3

792 points

Dec 20, 2010 11:58 PM in response to ShakuZen

Removed the entire MUSIC > iTUNES folder, some 3.2GB, trashed it and all is well. It was old and the new needed files were already on the external hard drive anyway. So all is well.

Reply

Answer 9

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Dec 21, 2010 6:35 AM in response to ShakuZen

Glad you got it sorted!

Reply