LRicci
Level 1 (30 points)

Q: Mac without CD reader: How to use remote Mac to transfer music to my library?

My mac does not have a CD reader, but my husband's mac does. How can I use his computer to process our music CDs and get them into my music library?

MacBook Air, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4), iPhone 5, iPad2, iMAC 2012

Posted on Feb 21, 2014 9:34 PM

by LRicci,Solvedanswer
LRicci LRicci
Level 1 (30 points)
A:

Just found the correct answer on another thread.

 

The only reliable way to do this is to use a SuperDrive.

Posted on Feb 21, 2014 11:23 PM

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Q: Mac without CD reader: How to use remote Mac to transfer music to my library?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Feb 21, 2014 9:47 PM in response to LRicci
    Level 9 (54,642 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 21, 2014 9:47 PM in response to LRicci

    Sharing DVDs or CDs with Remote Disc - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1131

     

    Edit:

     

    Hold on

     

    Note: These types of discs or activities are not supported by DVD or CD sharing:

    • DVD movies.
    • Audio CDs.

     

    Your best bet may be to rip the CDs on the other computer, then transfer the media files to yours using a USB flash drive or Home Sharing.

     

    If you really want to use his computer as an external optical drive you can try using Target Disk Mode, if your computers support it.

     

    How to use FireWire target disk mode - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661 - includes description of hardware and software requirements.

  • by LRicci,

    LRicci LRicci Feb 21, 2014 9:46 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Feb 21, 2014 9:46 PM in response to Limnos

    From what I've read, I don't think I can get files from a USB flash drive into my iTunes Library.

     

    I have connected to the other computer using Remote Disc, but can't get to the music files.

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Feb 21, 2014 9:48 PM in response to LRicci
    Level 9 (54,642 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 21, 2014 9:48 PM in response to LRicci

    LRicci wrote:

     

    From what I've read, I don't think I can get files from a USB flash drive into my iTunes Library.

    Sure you can.  Drag them from the flash drive to a playlist in your library.

  • by LRicci,

    LRicci LRicci Feb 21, 2014 9:59 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Feb 21, 2014 9:59 PM in response to Limnos

    Really? This doesn't sound right. Have you done it? I thought iTunes would not accept files for which ownership is uncertain. Sneaker-netting files via USB is how kids used to pirate songs.

     

    All our CDs were ripped and in my library, but when I migrated to a new MAC, they didn't come over. I want to avoid having to do this with 200 CDs every time I change computers.

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Feb 21, 2014 10:10 PM in response to LRicci
    Level 9 (54,642 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 21, 2014 10:10 PM in response to LRicci

    Sure I have done it.  If you rip a CD there isn't any copy protection or ownership or anything of the file produced (and yes, this is how kids do it, but it is legit. as long as you don't swap with all your friends).  Rip it as AAC so your files aren't huge and you can put them on your computer.  Drag the tracks from iTunes to the flash drive to copy them there, put the drive in your computer and drag them to your playlist.  iTunes will copy them to your media folder.  Or use Home Sharing.

     

    Do you still have the old Mac?  You can copy the entire iTunes folder to the new Mac.  Put it where the current iTunes folder is and start iTunes.  If you already have a small amount of content on the new computer but want the old library, copy it to a different location, then start iTunes with the option key held down and guide it tp the library.itl file in the copied folder.  We can move the extra files later.

  • by LRicci,

    LRicci LRicci Feb 21, 2014 10:28 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Feb 21, 2014 10:28 PM in response to Limnos

    Thanks for the attempt, but this is fruitless.

     

    All our CDs were already in my music library in iTunes when I bought the new Mac, and they were deleted. Some of them were AAC, and those evidently REALLY cannot be retained, and certain needed files I have to buy from Apple if I want them.

     

    The old Mac is now my husband's and all my files were "transferred" to my new Mac. So no, I can't create a new library on his Mac, transfer to mine and end up with all my current apple friendly music files AND the CD converted files.

     

    Homesharing will not allow me to play the music via Apple TV on our speaker. Already tried that.

     

    There must be a better way.

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Feb 21, 2014 10:39 PM in response to LRicci
    Level 9 (54,642 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 21, 2014 10:39 PM in response to LRicci

    LRicci wrote:

     

    Thanks for the attempt, but this is fruitless.

    ...

     

    There must be a better way.

    Have you actually tried any of my suggestions?

     

    I am really not following your comments.  AAC files can definitely be retained.  What were these files your AAC files needed that you had to buy from Apple???

     

    You could create a dozen differnt libraries on your husband's computer if you need to.  Make a temporary one to rip your CDs, then delete it afterward.  You make it by holding down the option key while starting iTunes.  He switches back to his by doing the same.  iTunes presents you with options to create a new library or select a different one.

     

    I know next to nothing about AppleTV and that wasn't part of your original question.  My suggestion for Home Sharing is it is a way to transfer music files from computer to computer without using a flash drive.  If you have more files than will fit on a flash drive (or no flash drive) it is handy.

  • by LRicci,

    LRicci LRicci Feb 21, 2014 10:53 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Feb 21, 2014 10:53 PM in response to Limnos

    Never mind. Sorry to bother you.

  • by LRicci,Solvedanswer

    LRicci LRicci Feb 21, 2014 11:23 PM in response to LRicci
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Feb 21, 2014 11:23 PM in response to LRicci

    Just found the correct answer on another thread.

     

    The only reliable way to do this is to use a SuperDrive.