Importing CDs with more than one disc

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Level 1

4 points

Importing CDs with more than one disc

I have used iTunes for 6 years yet it still continues to perplex me.

When I import a CD with 2 (or more) discs I add "[Disc 1] and [Disc 2] to the Album Name. e.g. Band On the Run [Disc 1], Band On The Run [Disc 2]. For 6 years when I did this iTunes created separate folders in iTunes Music (now iTunes media). So if I looked I would see within the Paul McCartney & Wings folder a folder for Band On The Run [Disc 1] and another folder for Band On The Run [Disc 2].

That is until recently. Now it will create just one folder and many times the name is not even complete. Within that one folder will be the songs from both discs. I've tried changing the name to include [Disc 1] before I import. I've tried changing the name after I import and it doesn't matter.

If I manually change the folder names within iTunes Media then the songs can't be located when I try to play them and locating them just restores the original folder name.

I wonder if this has something to do with Win 7 and libraries vs. actual files...I'm new to Win 7.

What could have changed to now cause this?

Message was edited by: bru2

Posted on Jan 11, 2011 7:03 AM

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Answer 1

polydorus

Level 6

11,967 points

Jan 11, 2011 8:23 AM in response to bru2

It's nothing to do with Windows 7. iTunes has it's own idea about naming files and folders from information in the tags.

If you have "Keep iTunes organised" in Preferences>>Advanced tab, iTunes will make changes, if you want to change the naming structure you need to uncheck the check box. AS you observe, iTunes will lose the track if you change the name.

AS far as I can see the current track naming arrangement is disk number-track number-track name.

iTunes isn't a very good choice of player if you care a lot about how things are named and arranged. With iTunes it's best to let it do its thing.

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Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Jan 11, 2011 11:55 AM in response to bru2

See my article on Grouping Tracks Into Albums, in particular the topic One cover for multi-disc album.

tt2

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Answer 3

bru2 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 11, 2011 7:31 PM in response to polydorus

With the new computer I do have a new iTunes, now 10 vs. 8 on my old system. I thought I had "Keep iTunes Media (then Music) Organized" checked on the old computer, but maybe not.

If I uncheck it how will it work? Will it still place the music files in folders, etc? Maybe if unchecked it will do it just the way I name it which may be ok for me. If it won't place the files in artist, album etc. folders I guess I'll have to keep it checked.

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Answer 4

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Jan 12, 2011 1:09 AM in response to bru2

The option to *Keep the iTunes Media folder organised* is stored independently from the library files so your preferred option may not have migrated with your library. Files ripped or downloaded with iTunes will be placed in the layout that it uses. If you have the option turned off then files that you place inside the iTunes Media folder and then add to iTunes will be left untouched, otherwise they will be reorganised as iTunes sees fit. Files added to iTunes that are located outside the iTunes Media folder will always be left as they are found.

tt2

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