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Level 1

6 points

Downsize new iTunes Library from existing big one

Hi,

I have a big iTunes Library (about 280 GB) on an external hard drive (1TB) and I "Choose" it from whatever computer I use. However, I'd like to create a smaller version of this iTunes Library (maybe 175 GB) so I can copy it permanently on one of the computers so I won't need the hard drive for music.

I first made a backup copy of the original big one onto the same 1TB hd, then from iTunes I deleted all the play lists (and moved files to trash) in an attempt to downsize it. When I was done, it stayed at the same size (280GB). From iTunes, I then went on File/Library/Organize Library with gave me two options: Consolidate Files and Reorganize files. I tried the Consolidate option. Surprise, I ended up with a "small" iTunes Library which now had over 400GB! I also suspect that whatever I did somehow affected my original large iTunes Library (e.g., when I deleted songs from the small library to reduce size, I set Genre to "Delete" so I could easily move all files to the Trash when I deleted them. Now in the original big library, some of the songs had also the "Delete" genre label. A mess.)

Any suggestions for how to go about this in a better way? I probably don't understand what "Consolidate Files" did or was supposed to do.

Bertram

P. S. I have a MacBook Pro 13-in (2016), run it with OS 10.12.2 Sierra and everything is updated.

MacBook Pro, macOS Sierra (10.12.2), LaCie 1TB hard drive

Posted on Jan 1, 2017 1:48 PM

Best reply

turingtest2

Level 10

272,821 points

Posted on Jan 5, 2017 4:03 AM

In the Make a split library portable user tip I describe not only the standard shape for the library, but also the steps that can be used to transform a working non-standard library into the standard shape. The usual way to switch from the old layout to the new one is to use the menu option File > Library > Organize Library > Rearrange Files and let iTunes take care of moving everything around. If I recall correctly (and it is a long time since I tested it) if you've made the change manually then you can (when iTunes is closed) change the integer value of Layout Version in the hidden preferences file .iTunes Preferences.plist which is in your selected media folder from 0 to 1.

Ideally the library folder will be at the root of the drive as <Volume>/iTunes, with the media folder inside it as <Volume>/iTunes/iTunes Media. If you've set things out like this, and the preferences file has the correct layout version, then iTunes may well be able to repair all the broken links if you fix one of them. Alternatively if you undo the last few changes you made so you're back to a working library and let me know where the various components are I should be able to suggest the right way to move forward.

tt2

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19 replies

turingtest2

Level 10

272,821 points

Jan 9, 2017 2:55 AM in response to bploog

Macs are somewhat more forgiving when you move files around on the same volume. If a new track you add to iTunes is going to <Media Folder>/<[Album]Artist>/<Album>/[D-]## <Name>.<Ext> then you can use iTunes > Preferences > Advanced > Keep iTunes Media folder organized off, and then back on again, to ensure everything goes exactly where it is supposed to. Use File > Library > Organize Library > Consolidate files as well, then any media located outside of the media folder can be assumed to be disconnected duplicates.

tt2

bploog Author

Level 1

6 points

Jan 10, 2017 2:53 PM in response to turingtest2

OK, all seems to continue to go well. iTunes library (Version 12) all cleaned up and working like a charm, no broken links. No more weird creation of strange files or multiple Music folders nested in each other.

Now, since it seems that I used different Music folders at some point (I just recalled that I used iTunes for the first time when 2nd generation of iPod came out, so that's a long time), will it be possible to somehow merge the various Music folders I have into one, without breaking links and without duplicating everything again? Can I use the Import Playlist or Export Library function for that? I'd be happy to bite the bullet and spend an evening sorting through the folders and check but I am afraid if I move the Artists folders by hand or even songs within Artist folders, I am doing something not-permissible again.

turingtest2

Level 10

272,821 points

Jan 10, 2017 4:34 PM in response to bploog

You're unlikely to be able to merge multiple libraries without creating duplicates unless you were very deliberate about what went into each one to start with.

An approach that should work is to go into each library and enable iTunes > Preferences > Advanced > Share iTunes Library XML with other applications. You could then chose the principle library, and import the other XML files into it, then dedupe and consolidate. The advantage of this approach is that it gives you all of the content and playlists of each library brought into one, plus ratings, play counts, and other metadata that isn't captured in tags. I have my own Windows deduping script, but since you have a Mac you might want to try Dupin or Dupin Lite for the deduping phase.

tt2

turingtest2

Level 10

272,821 points

Jan 17, 2017 7:24 PM in response to bploog

You're welcome. 🙂

tt2

Downsize new iTunes Library from existing big one