I have an extensive music collection that I've already digitized from vinyl and reel to reel tape. I have a file structure on my pc and don't really want to use iTunes as a player or download app; and I'm don't want to have iTunes on my pc re-organize my music collection. Any advice on how to copy mp3 files to my iPhone 4 will be greatly appreciated.
A new iPhone user
Pete
iPhone 4, iOS 5
Just turn off the "copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library" the iTunes -> Advanced preferences. You may also want to turn off the "Keep iTunes Music folder organized" option in the same preference, just as a precaution. Then use the Add To Library command under the File menu or drag the tracks into the iTunes window. iTunes will link to the tracks on your drive where they are and allow you to sync them to your iPhone.
Regards.
Just turn off the "copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library" the iTunes -> Advanced preferences. You may also want to turn off the "Keep iTunes Music folder organized" option in the same preference, just as a precaution. Then use the Add To Library command under the File menu or drag the tracks into the iTunes window. iTunes will link to the tracks on your drive where they are and allow you to sync them to your iPhone.
Regards.
Thanks for the almost instant response Dave!
I possibly mis-understood your answer.....Is the iTunes music folder on my PC or iPhone? I possibly have an iTunes music folder on my PC, but have never used it; I use Roxio Creator Pro for all my digitizing work and have an organization structure in place. Can I attach my iPhone via USB cable to my PC and simply choose which music files to copy, and if so is there already a file structure on my iPhone?
Thanks in advance
Pete
The iTunes Music folder is on your PC. It's where iTunes will download things from the iTunes Store, and where it will by default store music you rip from CD or import. That's why you turn off that setting I gave above when you want your track files to be kept where they are.
Can I attach my iPhone via USB cable to my PC and simply choose which music files to copy, and if so is there already a file structure on my iPhone?
No. Tracks need to be listed in iTunes to be able to be synched to your iPhone.
Regards.
To jump in here and help. After you have done what Dave has suggested the music will show up in iTunes which is on your PC. Once on the PC you plug your phone in via USB and set iTunes so it will manually manage the music (don't have iTunes open in front of me since I can't run it at work). Then you can drag what music you want from iTunes onto your iPhone. You might want to look at the iTunes documentation before you start since there is a lot of capability in iTunes to organize playlists, etc. to help you listen as you want.
Thanks to both you and Dave ... I suppose I'm just going to try iTunes on PC, or maybe Roxio also knows how to interface correctly with iPhone.
What 'magic' does iTunes perform on mp3 files?
Thanks again to both of you!
Pete
Roxio's software cannot transfer files to an iPhone. You need to use iTunes.
What 'magic' does iTunes perform on mp3 files?
iTunes doesn't do anything to them, per se. iTunes is just the mechanism for transferring track files (and other content) to the iPhone. Think of iTunes as sort of a specialized file manager that keeps pointers to the actual files and then controls playback and synchronization to other devices.
Regards.
Can I copy mp3 files from my PC to my iPhone4?
