iTunes library rescan?
September 1, 2008 10:51 AM Subscribe
iTunes: Have an external HD with the iTunes library, moving it between computers. Is there some way to rescan the iTunes library directory (both computers have the external HD specified) to add things that I imported on the other computer?
Response by poster: ascullion: How would you do that? In preferences, it seems only to support changing the location of the iTunes music folder location (where it stores the sound files).
posted by xmutex at 11:12 AM on September 1, 2008
posted by xmutex at 11:12 AM on September 1, 2008
Yes, this should be very easy. You didn't specify what OS you use, but on a Mac you choose "Add to Library" on the File menu, and choose the folder containing the music you want to add. It may take a few minutes, depending on the amount of music in there, but it will make sure everything in there is added to iTunes. Alternatively, you can choose Import... (also on the File menu) and add the songs individually. This will update the Library file with all the new music.
I don't have a Windows machine handy, but I think the process is very similar.
posted by badmoonrising at 11:20 AM on September 1, 2008
I don't have a Windows machine handy, but I think the process is very similar.
posted by badmoonrising at 11:20 AM on September 1, 2008
I've been happy with a tool for Windows called iTunes Library Updater (itlu). It's available at http://itlu.ownz.ch/ .
posted by jepace at 11:26 AM on September 1, 2008
posted by jepace at 11:26 AM on September 1, 2008
you can put an alias of the large lib in the local music folder (in the iTunes folder) and it will/should find it. on current iTunes it's called iTunes Library (you'll want an alias of iTunes Music Library.xml as well)
if you only add music occasionally, use edit:add to library and navigate to the shared (large) folder. takes a few minutes but merges the two and is pretty smart about not adding dupes.
advantage of this latter system is that there is an automatic backup of your library DB.
posted by KenManiac at 11:31 AM on September 1, 2008
if you only add music occasionally, use edit:add to library and navigate to the shared (large) folder. takes a few minutes but merges the two and is pretty smart about not adding dupes.
advantage of this latter system is that there is an automatic backup of your library DB.
posted by KenManiac at 11:31 AM on September 1, 2008
On a Mac, this is pretty easy. Copy your entire music directory to the external drive (~/Music/iTunes). When launching iTunes, hold down the Option key and iTunes will ask you to choose a Library. Choose the Library on your external drive.
posted by inviolable at 1:47 PM on September 1, 2008
posted by inviolable at 1:47 PM on September 1, 2008
Under Windows you hold down the shift key while starting iTunes to do what inviolable is talking about. The only trick is to press the shift key immediately after double clicking iTunes. If you press shift too soon, you'll get into some weird Windows selection BS.
posted by rfs at 6:31 PM on September 1, 2008
posted by rfs at 6:31 PM on September 1, 2008
sorry for brief answer earlier. on windows you just change the location of the 'mymusic' folder using the Tweak UI control panels option. i'm not sure if you can do something similar on a mac. but there are definitely ways to do it.
there are many advantages to only having one music library
posted by ascullion at 2:14 AM on September 2, 2008
there are many advantages to only having one music library
posted by ascullion at 2:14 AM on September 2, 2008
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posted by ascullion at 11:03 AM on September 1, 2008