How do I sort tracks for iPod using Lion using iTunes 10??

Question

How can I sort or modify tracks (for audiobooks) in iTunes 10.6.1 using OS 10.7.3 so they sync in the correct order for my iPod Touch? Either through iTunes or with 3rd party software is okay.

Answer 1

First, set the Album field for every track to the book's title. It should be identical for every track in the book, to group the tracks together. The easiest way to do this is select all of the tracks, do a File > Get Info, and set the Album to the book's title. This ensures it's the same for every track.
Here's an example of how I set the metadata on a group of audiobook tracks:
The above shot assumes that the track names themselves currently have part number information. If they don't, don't unset the field that _does_ have that information (e.g., the first track number field).
After that, tracks sort in this order:
- Disc sequence number (xx of yy)
- Track sequence number (aa of bb)
- Name field
I usually set the disc sequence numbers to be empty; set the track sequence numbers to be the right order, and change the Name field to _also_ be sortable, so something like "Book Title, part 1", etc. Use the File > Get Info command on each track individually:
It's tedious, as you have to touch every track. Keep clicking that Next button! But once you've done it a couple times, and with clever use of copy/paste, it only takes a few minutes. I did this 40 track book last night in less than 5 minutes.