Copy files to iTunes media.......what do you suggest?

thanks for the answer, my friend!
^_^
but, hey, hold on!
1. *The disadvantage is that when iTunes copies files, it uses its Artist/Album scheme, with no option to do differently. That makes it clumsy to keep folders the way you want them (e.g. the "jazz" folder in your example). *

iTunes does so in its folder.
But in my folders I keep moving files as much as I want, without making any changes to iTunes library and without having problems with it (the library) finding my files.
Am I wrong?
That's why I'd want to get back to having 2 separate music places.
(one for me, one for iTunes)

2.
*Personally, I use the copy option, but not the "Keep organized..." option. *

Maybe this will solve my problem.
I'd never thought about that.
Do you mean that if I don't tick this option iTunes find the files wherever I move them?
So I can change the location of an album and iTunes still finds it where it is?
Even if I haven't copied files into iTunes library?

Thanks again for the answer!!!

Beppe



.

ok, thanks.
So if I don't get any different suggestion, I'll choose the oprion 2 HDs, 1 for my music and 1 for iTunes.
Then again 2 hardrives aren't that bad, here on my desk!!!
^_^

Allow me 1 last question:
if selecting the option *let iTunes organize....* does not imply iTunes finds the tracks wherever they are, what sense does it make not using it?
How does iTunes set the files if you don't tick that option???
Does it do something better/different than putting files in an infinite list of alphabetical artists as it does when you use that option?

Thanks!

Beppe

My friend, I'm really grateful for your answers.
But if you tell me *iTunes doesn't need ITS OWN MUSIC* I think I haven't explained myself very well so I'll try to tell you once again what my problem is.
I'm sorry if I'm slow to understand and I wouldn't exploit your availability.
I'll promise this is my last attempt then either I understand or I won't bother you anymore.
^_^

My initial problem wasn't whether I *have or don't have to* give iTunes my files.
I do know that once you say *add folder to the library* iTunes does it all on its own and doesn't need *additional operations*.
My problem was (is) whether it is more or less convenient having music files in one position and iTunes library files in another (double files).

I'll oversimplify:
I have 3 albums; Beatles ONE, Beethoven's Fifth and Coltrane's Love Supreme.
In a folder in C: called *Music Room*.
Ok?

I open a brand new virginal iTunes and tell it:
*copy folder to iTunes library* and point to C:Music Room.
(copy files option is unselected)

Now I have my 3 albums in iTunes perfectly ordered, with covers and all.
The physical files are not in the iTunes media folder but they’re neat and clean in my *music room* folder.
Perfect.
No need to copy files into iTunes media, as you said, iTunes doesn’t need them.
Perfect.

But then I feel like buying more music.
I’ll buy some Dylan and some Neil Young.
So now I have Dylan, Young, Beatles, Coltrane and Beethoven but I don’t want to mix them all up, so I create 3 subfolders in my music room called rock jazz and classical.
I import Dylan and Young into iTunes, I connect my iPod and load it.
But surprise! Beatles, Coltrane and Beethoven are not listenable from the iTunes program (exclamation marks spotted!!!) because (obviously!) iTunes doesn’t see them anymore as I changed the folder’s name.

I only need to reimport *all files*, I know.
But if you take my real situation (300 gigas of music, 70K songs, 10K albums) you will understand in my case reimporting all my library everytime I change a folder’s name, I create a subfolder, I move a song from one place to another is rather boring.
Telling iTunes to copy files into *its own* directory could give me, on the contrary, the advantage of having my iTunes library indipendent from my *real files*.
If iTunes has copied all my songs into its own itunes media folder, if I change whatever I want in my *music room* (do you still remember? XD) nothing changes, doesn’t it?

And here we are to the original question:
Option A)
iTunes doesn’t copy files: I spare space but I must get used not to change anything once I’ve imported files into iTunes library.
Option B)
iTunes copies files: I need double space (2 HDs, possibly); but I can do everything with my music room; once imported all into iTunes library, iTunes works regardless of what I do with the original files.
So:
what do you suggest?

If you’ve come so far, I really thank you.
If you’re even answering again, I’ll vote for you in the next elections.

Beppe

www.giuseppegazerro.com
www.youtube.com/GiuseppeGazerro

Solved.

....unfortunately....ehhehhe.....meaning that I hoped there were some way to have iTunes get its songs wherever I put them, change folders and reorganize things.
On the contrary, this is possibile only if I let iTunes copy files into its media folder.
Crystal clear.

I'll buy a new hard drive and have my music separated from the iTunes stuff.

Thanks a lot, friend.
You've been very patient and helpful.

Beppe