Copy/paste songs in same iTunes library?

Question

Level 1

20 points

Copy/paste songs in same iTunes library?

Hi all. I remember being able to copy (cmnd+c) a song within my library, and then paste (cmnd-v) to create an immediate copy in the same library. My intent being to create a compilation from existing songs in my library, like for a movie soundtrack.

For example, if I already have 7 of 10 songs of a soundtrack, I could simply copy, paste, and rename the songs I already own, and simply purchase the remaining 3 songs. So yes, there would be duplicate songs in my library, but under separate artists/albums/composers/years/etc.

Did iTunes do away with this functionality, yet keep the edit>copy/paste menu options in place for text only?

Thanks for the help!

Macbook Pro, 17", July/2007, 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4 GB RAM, 1 TB Internal Storage, Mac OS X (10.6.6), iPhone 3Gs, 32 GB

Posted on Mar 3, 2011 1:03 AM

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Answer 1

Beavis2084

Level 4

2,854 points

Mar 3, 2011 8:50 AM in response to Tylerlerler

Okay, that is weird... i can't copy/paste either. I figured it was something goofy on your box, but mine acts the same way.

Found out... "iTunes is clever enough to notice if an exact copy of a song file (ID3 tags and all) already exists in its Library, and in that case, will omit re-importing the file."

Hence the lack of duplicating. Odd how that functionality used to exist.

This page presents a work around.

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Answer 2

Limnos

Level 10

428,441 points

Mar 3, 2011 8:58 AM in response to Tylerlerler

I still use iTunes 7.5 and I cannot copy and paste a track in the library window. I don't think this has ever been possible. iTunes can't use the same file in two different albums. You have to make a complete copy of the file, not just its entry in iTunes. I think you'll have to do this in Finder, unless there is something that does this in [Dougscripts|http://dougscripts.com/itunes/scripts/scriptcount.php?sortBy=Name& op=y].

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Answer 3

Mar 4, 2011 3:17 AM in response to Tylerlerler

I don't recall this ever being possible. You can, however, copy files from the Finder then paste them into a playlist or your library, as a way to add files to your iTunes library.

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Answer 4

tyPod18

Level 1

5 points

Mar 9, 2011 12:58 AM in response to Beavis2084

Same user as Tylerlerler, difficulties with my AppleID. Sorry.

I appreciate the workaround link. I'm glad someone else knows the functionality was once there. I know it was because I can identify the duplicates in my library (yet I cannot prove that they are indeed copy/paste duplicates).

If I didn't have the trouble with my AppleID I would mark your reply as "Helpful," if that is any consolation.

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Answer 5

tyPod18

Level 1

5 points

Mar 9, 2011 1:01 AM in response to Limnos

Hi, I'm the same person that posted under Tylerlerler, but I'm having trouble with my AppleID/login stuff, sorry.

I don't think I utilized this functionality as far back as 7.5, but I definitely know it existed at some point. I've tried making a copy of the music file in Finder, but when I add the copy to iTunes, it simply plays the original file. Regardless of changing the name of the file, it's locations, etc., it doesn't help my situation.

I just don't know what to do.

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Answer 6

Mar 9, 2011 3:35 AM in response to Tylerlerler

Why not use a playlist?

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Answer 7

tyPod18

Level 1

5 points

Mar 9, 2011 3:20 PM in response to Ian Parkinson

A playlist would I guess accomplish the goal of listening to a certain set of tracks in a certain order, but is only a rudimentary work around to what I want to do. I want to have an album that contains some songs that I already have in my library. I want that album to have its own album art, it's own ID3 tags, etc.

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