Sync local media library with iTunes Match after format

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vcharette Author

Level 1

1 points

Sync local media library with iTunes Match after format

iTunes Match is a wonderful service but there's one thing that's really making me hate it.

I'm the type of person that uses multiple computers and that probably formats more than he should.

So here's my issue.

Pre-format

1) I match my 12,000 songs library with iTunes Match

2) Once done my songs are in sync with the cloud meaning that the content I play is local and it updates through the cloud at the same time

Post-format

1) I reinstall iTunes 11

2) I change iTunes advanced preferences to point to my original and untouched media path and I check both options underneath.

3) I sign into my account and turn iTunes Match ON

4) iTunes Match does its thing

Now here's my gripe. Every single song has the download from cloud button. Every song I play streams from the cloud even though I pointed my library to my original media path. Why won't iTunes sync the cloud with my local files just like it was before the format ?

Re-adding the whole media folder to my new (not backed-up) library will only create a 12,000 duplicate songs in the cloud to make matters worse.

So my question is : is there any way to preserve what I had prior to formating ? Having to wipe my cloud content and rematch my local files after every single format is non-sense.

Thanks in advance

Posted on Dec 16, 2012 7:44 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 16, 2012 10:09 PM in response to vcharette

You must add the files to the library to have them be in the library after you format and restore (and why are you doing this anyway? What problem are you trying to solve?). Simply pointing iTunes at the folder that contains the music doesn't do anything.

To get iTunes to recognize the music files and the path you MUST restore the library files (.itl, etc.) as well as the music files. If you don't do that iTunes doesn't know the files are there unless you use the "add to library" command in the File menu. This will ensure iTunes does to see the iTunes library as "new" and try to re-match everything.

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Answer 2

vcharette Author

Level 1

1 points

Dec 17, 2012 5:08 AM in response to Michael Allbritton

Why I am formating you ask ? This time is because I built myself a new computer and restoring my ghost image with different hardware isn't the smartest idea.

I get what you mean about the library files backup (.itl, etc.) but why did Apple had to make this process this complicated and inificient ? From what I remember those library files are spread in two different locations and there is no "easy way" to back them up. At version 11 you would have thought Apple would be including some sort of wizard to accomplish this.

So I am basically screwed now ? If I add everything back to library it will create *alot* of duplicates which will only make matters worse and more complicated than it already is.

Wipe the cloud clean and re-add/re-match ? What is the best and more efficient way of backing-up the library files ? Any tools that exist or everyone just copy the files by hand to a safe place ? I'm sure I already tried in the past and it didn't go very well when I attempted a restore of the said files.

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Answer 3

Dec 17, 2012 7:11 AM in response to vcharette

vcharette wrote:

From what I remember those library files are spread in two different locations and there is no "easy way" to back them up. At version 11 you would have thought Apple would be including some sort of wizard to accomplish this.

Actually the library files are located in only one place; generally User/Music/iTunes/ unless you've changed the default location. This makes them extremely easy to backup. You mention that you have a ghost image of the OS... if you can grab the iTunes Library.itl file out that image and drop it into the iTunes folder then launch iTunes it should put your library back where it was. The iTunes Library.itl is what contains all the paths to the media. Be sure and disable iTunes Match first and go to iTunes Prefs > Advanced and uncheck "copy files to iTunes Media folder..." before doing so, just to make sure you don't accidentally copy the entire iTunes Media folder. Once you've done this you can re-enable iTM and all should be good.

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Answer 4

vcharette Author

Level 1

1 points

Dec 17, 2012 7:27 AM in response to Michael Allbritton

Unfortunately I already deleted the image.

I will just wipe my cloud songs and re-match everything. I didn't have alot of ratings and such anyway.

When restoring the library (itl) files, do I need to re-add the folder to my library ? Or will the songs automatically appear based on the library settings in those files ?

I noticed that by holding the shift key when launching iTunes it prompts you to select a library or creating a new one. Which makes me wonder if I can just point it to my different drive at all times instead of always having to copy files back and forth between /music/itunes and a backup location.

Many questions I know. I ask because I swear I took that route at some point and things didn't go as planned at all.

Thanks for helping, it's really appreciated.

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Answer 5

Dec 17, 2012 7:35 AM in response to vcharette

vcharette wrote:

When restoring the library (itl) files, do I need to re-add the folder to my library ? Or will the songs automatically appear based on the library settings in those files ?

No, you will not need to add anything if you drop, at minimum, the iTunes Library.itl file into the User/Music/iTunes folder. Ideally you would restore all the library files, though. As long as the path isn't different, say you created a User Account with a different name from the original, it should be fine.

vcharette wrote:

I noticed that by holding the shift key when launching iTunes it prompts you to select a library or creating a new one. Which makes me wonder if I can just point it to my different drive at all times instead of always having to copy files back and forth between /music/itunes and a backup location.

Yes, you can run the iTunes library off an external HDD, no problem. However, I believe the best way to do that is to set the path in iTunes Prefs. Also, keep in mind that if the external is not connected iTunes will not be able to find the files and it will not defaul to streaming the music from the cloud. And you should still have a backup scheme in place.

vcharette wrote:

Thanks for helping, it's really appreciated.

You're welcome.

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