Will Apple Music replace my library?

Question

Level 1

5 points

Will Apple Music replace my library?

Hi All,

I've become extraordinarily confused about iTunes/Apple Music/iCloud Music Library/iTunes Match. I'm hoping someone can shed some light on how everything works together, and offer some best advice/practices to keep everything organized.

Here is my scenario:

I own thousands upon thousands of CDs, each of which I have painstakingly uploaded into iTunes. This equates to about 4300 hours of non-stop, continuous listening. The entire library is stored on my HDD.

A few years ago, I decided to begin an iTunes Match subscription, and for the most part it seems like it is functioning as Apple promises, with a few exceptions which I will detail below.

I recently decided to take advantage of the free three month trial for Apple Music, and again for the most part, it seems Apple has delivered as promised.

Here are my questions:

1) Why does my mobile device (iPhone or iPad) show tracks I've listened to as downloaded to said device? I thought the purpose of either service was to enable me to stream content from all my devices? It seems that random tracks/albums I've 'streamed' end up as downloaded onto my iPhone or iPad (which isn't a big deal since I own the music anyways), and I wasn't aware that would happen unless I specifically clicked on the cloud with down arrow icon

2) I thought iTunes match was supposed to match tracks and replace them with content from the Apple iTunes library? There are a few tracks in my personal library that apparently originated from a scratched CD, and as such they skip. I know they haven't been replaced because of the 'skipping'. The tracks in question are available from iTunes.

3) Lastly, but most important to me: what happens when three months has lapsed and I decide not to continue with Apple Music? I've read that any music I've listened to and also own- will be replaced by the matching track in Apple Music Library. As such, when I cancel my subscription, I will no longer be able to play my music because it has been replaced with DRM enabled tracks.

The original files were sourced from Compact Discs I have purchased and ripped into my iTunes library.

My main concern is that I don't want to lose all of the music I've already ripped, nor do I want to have to figure out which music is still safe and which has been replaced due to the mystical 'download' (see question #1).

This has become a freaking mess. Why can't there be one service? Lets not even discuss Home Sharing.

Thanks to all who took the time to read this and attempt to help me figure it out.

iPad (3rd gen) Wi-Fi, iOS 10.1.1

Posted on Nov 1, 2016 7:57 AM

Answer 1

Nov 10, 2016 6:29 PM in response to DonnyLee

Hi,

Point 1. I understand that a cache is created for music that that is played on your iOS devices. I can't comment on this further as I don't use my iOS device much - use my trusty iPod classics.

Point 2. iTunes Match uses audio fingerprintint to determine if a track will be match or not. Faulty tracks will not be matched.

Point 3. Apple Music no longer applies DRM to matched tracks. Like iTunes Match, Apple Music does not alter the music that is in your iTunes library on your computer.

It is essential that you maintain a backup of all your music just in case disaster occurs.

Jim

Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

280,629 points

Nov 10, 2016 6:31 PM in response to DonnyLee

Neither iTunes Match nor Apple Music should automatically replace existing tracks in your library. However see Backup your iTunes for Windows library with SyncToy for a suggested method to backup your entire library. The backup can be efficiently updated as you add new content to the library, and if you preview updates you get a chance to stop and reverse (albeit manually) any unexpected changes.

Don't know. Not using iCloud Music Library on any devices at present. Perhaps it saves the streamed track in case you want to listen to it again in the short term, then deletes to free up space later if required. That said I've seen another thread where someone complains that Apple Music is devouring all of their free space.
Not automatically. Once matched you can remove the local download, then redownload to replace with the matched copy. Backup first in case the matched version is in fact wrong (e.g. clean vs. explicit, studio vs. live, or just a different version) or gets delivered with DRM. Do not update the backup until you are certain. Ideally make an archive copy of the original elsewhere just in case.
Again, Apple Music should not replace any content in your local library unless you remove the local download and then redownload it. Backup first. If you have both iTunes Match and Apple Music then content uploaded from your computer should download without DRM. Pay attention to what will be updated in each refresh of your backup.
N.b. Tracks delivered via Apple Music, as opposed to iTunes Match or your purchase history, do contain DRM which is used to prevent you playing them once you cancel your subscription or otherwise let it expire.

tt2