consolidating multiple itunes libraries and then upload to itunes match

Robert.Fischer wrote:

Will ITunes Match remove duplicate songs from my library if they are not named the same exact thing?

No. iTunes Match does not modify your library or files in any way. Nothing is deleted or moved. It would be best if you cleaned up the library before you purchase iTunes Match.

Robert.Fischer wrote:

Can I simply create a new ITunes library and import all the music from my various PCs, which will create duplicates and let ITunes Match remove the duplicates?

Yes to the first; no to the second.

Robert.Fischer wrote:

Both my wife and I have differenrt Apple Ids that we use for our iDevices. If I were to create a single library and upload it to Itunes Match, would we both need to use the same Apple Id going forward?

Yes, you would both have to be signed into the same Apple ID. See this Apple KB article for more information: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4627?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US.

Robert.Fischer wrote:

Many of the songs that I have are remixes, how would ITunes Match handle these?

If the track is not available for sale on the iTunes Store, and the track is unable to be matched it will be uploaded.

Your questions:

1. Will ITunes Match remove duplicate songs from my library if they are not named the same exact thing?
2. Can I simply create a new ITunes library and import all the music from my various PCs, which will create duplicates and let ITunes Match remove the duplicates?
3. Both my wife and I have differenrt Apple Ids that we use for our iDevices. If I were to create a single library and upload it to Itunes Match, would we both need to use the same Apple Id going forward?
4. Many of the songs that I have are remixes, how would ITunes Match handle these?

Summary answer:

iTunes Match does not remove duplicates. It does not use the data about a Song such as Name to discriminate. The match process uses sampled sound, so re-mixes and new releases are recognised as discrete. The match process is not 100% accurate, so there will be a number of mismatches. This demands effective secure backup of Song files outside iTunes Match as the route to safeguarding your music.

Perhaps the best advice would be to create a music account with an iTunes library where you import all Songs to date. Typically use of 3rd party tools to tidy this new main library will be a very effective route to provide iTunes Match with the best start point you can. Use of a single Apple Id to access this from the cloud will be needed. Beware that Apple has strict rules on association of Apple Ids with devices. Once a device or computer is associated with your Apple ID, you cannot associate that device or computer with another Apple ID for 90 days, see http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4627.

The are many 3rd party tools for iTunes library cleanup, for example:

1. Beatunes (http://www.beatunes.com/);

2. Tune Sweeper (http://www.wideanglesoftware.com/tunesweeper);

3. Tune Up (http://www.tuneupmedia.com); and

4. Rinse (http://www.rinsemymusic.com).

Would advise careful review of each and picking the one or two that you feel most content with. A few helpful notes are in the following forum user tip (https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4261).

Robert.Fischer wrote:

@Michael - Thank you for the help. About the different Apple Ids, if my wife and I use the same id going forward, what happens to the apps that we bought for the phones under our old ids?

That's where things get a little difficult since you've got to be signed into a particular Apple ID to update apps. As far as I know there's no workaround for this requirement.

To support Michael, you will keep all your Apps bought under alternate ids. When completing App update you will be prompted to enter the original password for Apps other than those aligned with your iTunes Match primary Apple Id.

There are some applescriptsmout there that might do what you need. One script site is named after the guy who hosts it (Dave, I think, cannot remember.). He's GRO a boatload do scripts that work with iTunes. One allows to to define the parameters for duplicate identification/removal. Make a full backup before you start.