How do I rip a CD song directly to a playlist in iTunes 12?

I agree--this is a major mistake on Apple's part. I also have a huge CD library and until this new version you could insert the CD and then just drag the tracks to a playlist and they would import directly to that playlist. Now you have to put the tracks in the library first, then find the tracks and click on the Add To button and drag them to the playlist that way. It adds about five extra steps to what used to be a simple process.

Also, I've noticed that you can no longer use Home Sharing to get music from another computer's iTunes library and drag it easily to the one you're working with. You have to first import it into the other library and then, again, find it and add it to the playlist. What do they say about if it ain't broke don't fix it?

What was suggested in another discussion, and which works for me, is to select the CD track, then drag it toward where the sidebar should be and your playlists will appear. (iTunes 12.0.1 on OSX 10.9.5)

Good luck.

srb

Thanks for that tip. I see that that does work, but it goes to the top of the alphabet and then you have to scroll down to find the playlist you want. If you have several hundred of them like I do, it's kind of difficult. I tried it once and gave up. But I guess if you don't have a lot of playlists you could do that.

I've also noticed that rips are taking a really long time in my iMac but not in my Macbook pro. Anyone else having that issue?

I agree that it was absolutely easier and less prone to error before. Since I "upgraded", though, it's what I have.

My computer is a late mid Mac mini with an external SuperDrive originally intended for the Macbook Air, if I remember correctly. In my case, it's ripping tracks from CDs at least as fast as before.

srb

I too had the same problem but I called Apple support and this is what they told that does work. Open up iTunes and click on the musical note icon then click on playlists. Next open up a finder window (on your Mac) and click on the cd. You should see all of our items listed in the finder window. Highlight all or only the ones you want and then drag them directly onto the playlist you want in iTunes. More steps then in the older version of iTunes but at least you can get them into the playlist you want.

Yes but the problem is that I used to edit them when I had them in the CD on screen. For example, you may not want them all in the same play list. So i´d change genre names, rating etc. Then I would import and it all goes straight into the smart playlists automatically. Now you have to drag... and then you have to manually find each song to edit and organise which takes 10 times longer! So annoying... I´ve been using iTunes since 2001 and it just seems to be getting more and more complicated.

I agree. It is not as easy as it use to be. I like the older version of iTunes myself.

Having spent a long time trying to add one track of a CD rather than importing the whole CD, and proving unsuccessful, this suggestion seemed too simple. However, I thought it worth trying so I highlighted the track, left clicked and dragged it to the left and the sidebar immediately appeared. I scrolled down the playlists and, hey presto, the track was added on. Thank you Steven Blunk.

First create a new playlist. Then go to the CD icon and press it so it lights up blue. Then go to 'edit' and select 'select all' after all the songs light up blue drag them (collectively) over to the left side and the playlist sidebar will appear. Drop into your newly created playlist and they will load in order :-)