Dazzahedrummer
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Q: iTunes library on external drive

Hi,

I am a musician and I often run discos at events. This being the case, I've got several thousand music tracks which at the moment all sit on a 6 year old MBP that's struggling to keep up with OS updates.

 

What I would like do is create several libraries that I can use in different situations - for example; my own personal music on the main library on my new MBP's hard-drive, a 'wedding' library on an external hard-drive, a 'party' library on an external hard-drive etc etc.

I would then select the appropriate library for each situation - what I want to achieve is having the disco music separate from my own personal library so that I haven't got 100GB of music on my mac.

 

To set up the external libraries, would it be best to create a new library on the external drive and then move or download (Apple music) songs into that library - then then the library is complete, option-click iTunes to select the external library?

 

I just need to know if this sounds like a sensible solution or if there are better ways to achieve this?

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2013), iOS 9.2

Posted on Jan 2, 2016 4:36 AM

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Dazzahedrummer

Q: iTunes library on external drive

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  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Jan 2, 2016 5:21 AM in response to Dazzahedrummer
    Level 8 (38,416 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 2, 2016 5:21 AM in response to Dazzahedrummer

    It sounds like you have one portion backwards.  If you want the libraries to be different and independent, you should "option-click iTunes," which is this procedure


    Open a different iTunes Library file or create a new one - Apple Support


    to create a new iTunes library that is empty, at the desired location for this library (such as on the external drive).  The name you entered in the previous dialog to create new iTunes library is actually the name of the folder iTunes creates for the new iTunes library (the actual library data is IN that folder).  You may want to use Finder to go to that location, to see what is in there.  Among other things, you'll see the iTunes Library.itl file (this library's database) and this library's iTunes Media folder (where iTunes stores this library's media files).


    Then, using that empty library with iTunes, add the content you want.  With the default setting in iTunes preferences Advanced pane, the media files are stored in that iTunes Media folder located inside the folder iTunes created for this new library.  There are TWO checkboxes on the same iTunes preference pane for Keep iTunes Media folder organized AND Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library.  If you keep those two boxed checked (recommended), iTunes puts a copy of all media files (for items added to this library) in this library's iTunes Media folder, and keeps them organized.  You many want to also look in this iTunes Media folder using Finder, after adding some songs to this iTunes library, to see how it's organized.


    Repeat this procedure for each library you want to create.