Add file to library doesn't add .WAV files to iTunes library

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Add file to library doesn't add .WAV files to iTunes library

I'm running iTunes (11.1.3.8) on Windows 7 (professional). I originally created this library by importing and copying songs from an iTunes library on an older system (running XP). It's been a little while, but I'm pretty sure I made use of Add File to Library and Add Folder to Library when I did this, and that some of the files I loaded were .WAV files (which I then converted to MP3 in iTunes to save space).

Now, however, when I try to add .WAV to the library using Add File to Library, nothing happens. The files aren't imported. I can see that they're not showing up in Unknown Artist/Unknown Album as they usually would. If I use another program to convert the .WAV file to an .MP3 file (including the ability to add an artist name), the file appears in iTunes under that artist. (My library is organized by iTunes.)

My Windows preferences are set so that .WAV and .MP3 files are both opened by default with iTunes.

What am I missing? I suppose I can convert all the files before I import them, but I didn't think that was necessary.

Posted on Jan 2, 2014 6:17 AM

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Answer 1

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turingtest2

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Jan 2, 2014 11:55 AM in response to MJ Greis

Add File... & Add Folder... are both working for me when I add .wav files? Could the files you are adding already be in the library? If you've moved things around from one machine to another then a possibility would be a permissons problem. Both your accounts (or Everyone) and SYSTEM should have full access rights.

tt2

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Answer 2

MJ Greis Author

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Jan 2, 2014 2:59 PM in response to turingtest2

Thanks for the suggestion. There's no indication of success or failure when you use Add file to Library, so I wondered about that as well.

I wasn't finding the file in Unknown Artist/Unknown Album, where iTunes puts imported files with no meta-information. I just tested that by creating a new recording on my iPhone and transmitting the resulting file to my computer. I imported the file with Add file to Library, then looked for it in iTunes as well as in the Windows directory (iTunes/.../Unknown Artist/Unknown Album). Nothing there.

Then I created an MP3 version of the file, this time with a different name than the .WAV file. I didn't add any ID tags (the program I used allows those to be added when it exports the .WAV file to .MP3). I imported the .MP3 file with Add file to Library, and it was in the iTunes library under Unknown Artist.

I don't see any problem with permissions.

This is really odd. Since you are able to import .WAV files, at least I know it is supposed to work.

I wonder about the connection between Windows and iTunes. The other odd thing that happens is, if you open a file in Windows (the default is iTunes), it doesn't play in iTunes. I noticed that earlier. I just tried playing an MP3 file from Windows. That doesn't play either, but, iTunes does import it.

That's actually a more annoying problem, as there's no way to use iTunes to listen to something that's not in the iTunes library (for example, a voice message I receive in my e-mail). At least for imports, I can convert the files to .MP3 before importing them.

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Answer 3

turingtest2

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Jan 2, 2014 3:09 PM in response to MJ Greis

You can sort the Songs list by Date Added so that new items join the start or the end of the list.

I take it these files play in Windows Media Player or Media Monkey?

tt2

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Answer 4

MJ Greis Author

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Jan 2, 2014 3:46 PM in response to turingtest2

Thanks. I've looked at the files that way as well. As far as I can tell, none of the WAV files I imported actually was imported by iTunes.

I can listen to the files in Windows Media Player.

Strange.

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Answer 5

turingtest2

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Jan 2, 2014 3:51 PM in response to MJ Greis

MJ Greis wrote:

Strange.

Indeed. 😕

tt2

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Answer 6

ed2345

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Jan 2, 2014 4:12 PM in response to MJ Greis

MJ,

iTunes is usually pretty good with music quality WAV files, but for unknown reasons tends to trip on low bitrate WAVs such as the kind produced by voice recorders. Something about the low bitrate or low sample rate causes iTunes an issue.

If that is what you have, converting to MP3 is the best approach.

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Answer 7

MJ Greis Author

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Jan 3, 2014 1:41 PM in response to ed2345

Since the voice recorder in question is an app on my iPhone and I'm recording using the "high quality" setting, one would think that iTunes could handle its output.

Thanks to both of you for all the tips ; you've been very helpful. At this point, I'll go with the workaround and convert any WAV files that iTunes can't load to MP3.

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Answer 8

J.D.

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Apr 11, 2014 7:51 PM in response to MJ Greis

I think it's absolutely absurd that Apple refuses to natively accept .WAV files as a valid format. Maybe I don't want to use their ****** .AAC algorithms, maybe I want to retain quality and dynamic range in the music I listen to - maybe I give zero ***** about the storage space it will take up and don't want to hear terrible, digitally compressed garbage in MP3 or AAC format (which Apple flat-out LIES about on the topic of its quality - anyone who actually deals with audio on a professional level - and knows what they're talking about - can attest to this as well).

Seriously, I'm fed up with Apple and the "Genius" snobs who pretend to know anything about sonic quality - I'm sorry, but AAC is NOT acceptable, and neither is MP3. Not for someone who listens to music (as opposed to simply hearing it). AAC is by no means "undetectably compressed" as I read one "genuis" put it in these forums -

if you think it's undetectable you clearly don't know the difference between digitally compressed audio and uncompressed - and you have NO business talking about it.

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Answer 9

the fiend

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Apr 12, 2014 2:30 PM in response to J.D.

J.D. wrote:

I think it's absolutely absurd that Apple refuses to natively accept .WAV files as a valid format. Maybe I don't want to use their ... algorithms, maybe I want to retain quality and dynamic range in the music I listen to - maybe

You know - I suspect anyone with any sense is not going to respond to your rant. But I don't have enough sense (obviously!)

If that's not good enough for you, then perhaps you shouldn't be using iTunes. No one's making you - not even Apple.

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