Multiple ipods one library

I may have posted this elsewhere in the wrong forum. but let me try it here in the right spot.
I have a nano and itunes. everything works great.
I'm getting a new touch in a week or so. I want to keep my nano as both a back up and something to carry when I go running, camping, fishing, etc.
Can I synch both the touch and the nano to my same itunes library?
I really don't want to have 2 copies of all my music but think I should be albe to synch both devices to my music.
Can I do it and if so how?
Thanks,
Jeff

You can sync as many ipods/iphones as you like to one library.

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Multiple iPods, One Library, Ratings challenge

Hi
I have an iPod, as does my daughter, and we both sync off my iTunes library with different playlists (at 200Gb it is too big to have multiple copies).
However, if my daughter rates a song as 5 star, it syncs to my library, so my 5 star smartlist suddenly fills up with her music.
Is there a way I can set her iPod to "upload only" - so that it only syncs one way?
TIA
Shaun

Just create her own account on the computer.
Move the music to a Shared directory so you both can access it.
Each of you will use the same music buit a differnt library file and her ratings will only be hers.
Use Method One here -> http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300432

Multiple user accounts, multiple Ipods, One computer, One Itunes library

Here's my problem, I have my main music library on my Mac Mini (Intel 1.5 solo) its too big to fit on the hard drive with everything else, so I added a Mini pal drive. This has my music, photos and all the other junk I cant fit on the mini's hard drive. I want to create multiple accounts so my kids can each have their own, but we all have Ipods that we want connected to our own accounts. I want to keep all the music in one library, and share it accross all the accounts. I dont want to have to log on when my kids want a song from my library. Itunes dosent seam to like the library being on the seperate drive. Mabe I am just dooing something wrong.
Ps: I'm running Itunes 7.3 on all my machines

Apple really doesn't quite do multi-user well yet, at least as far as the iPod goes (IMHO.)
We've taken your approach. 3 users with iTunes for each pointing to a single library on an external storage device. That way there's no problem with having to go to other libraries to import (and not question about 'copying files'... big waste of space.)
Our problem is having multiple iPods plugged into the same machine. I'm about to buy one of the new models for wife and daughter, but I'm not sure how we all can be plugged in (as I'm sure will happen.)
Right now, when I plug in just my own Nano, it appears in iTunes for each of the other users. In fact I sometimes can't even eject because iTunes for another user thinks the iPod its attached to it.
To expand this thread, anyone have pointers on use of multiple iPods on the same machine with multiple users? The existing links to Apple support articles are not relevant.

Multiple iPods - One computer - How do I separate libraries?

I have an Ipod and my Two sons have thier own Ipods. When I hook up I get all of their songs on my ipod.
How do I set up Separate Ipod accounts and have my Ipod go to mine only and not theirs?

When the iPods belong to different people, there are basically three ways of using multiple iPods on a computer and these involve:
a) Sharing a single iTunes library
b) Creating Multiple Libraries in a single user account
c) Creating multiple user accounts.
Note: When you are sharing an iTunes library, you don't have to set each iPod to update in the same manner, you can mix and match from the options below as each iPod has it's own update settings
Sharing a Library and/or User Account
If you want to share the one library, you can set either or all of the iPods so that they only get updated with only certain playlists (you can update from more than one if you wish): Loading songs onto iPod automatically - Windows
Choosing the update option "Sync Music - Selected playlists" allows you to create a playlist specifically for the iPod and drag the tracks you want into it. If you tire of the list and want to change it, you just add or remove the songs you don't want. The ones you take out out remain in the library to be used some other time if you choose. You can read more about playlists at these links:
iTunes: Creating playlists of your favorite songs
How to create a Smart Playlist with iTunes
Or you can choose to update any or all of the iPods manually and just drag whatever content you want to them: Managing content manually on iPod
Loading the iPod shuffle differs slightly but it can still be used with the others, for details have a look at this page: Loading songs onto iPod shuffle - Windows
Multiple Libraries
It's also possible to have multiple libraries in a single account. To create or access a second (or more) library, hold down the Option key (or Shift key in Windows) when launching iTunes 7. In the resulting dialogue you will get the option to create a new library or navigate to the other Library.
Note: You can only have one Library open at a time and iTunes will default to the last library opened if you don't use the keyboard command to choose one. This can prove tricky when using multiple iPods, if you don't use the keyboard command you can risk syncing to the wrong library: Using multiple iTunes libraries -Windows
Separate User Accounts
Another option is to create a separate User account for each person on your PC or Mac. Different accounts by definition would give you completely separate libraries. Each account has it's own iTunes folder, Library and iTunes Music folder and you load it with CDs etc just as you did with your original one. The iPod can be set to update however the owner chooses, sync all, manual or sync specific playlists
I don't use Windows so I can't give you a step by step on that one, however I can point you to another web page which should help you out. You can read about Windows user accounts here: Using Windows XP User Accounts

How do I create separate playlists for two ipods/one library and them sync them?

I have an older classic ipod, my daughter has an older nano. I got new laptop and have managed to sync my ipod and ipad with success, as well as move my library from old pc to new laptop. Now I am trying to update and sync my daughter's ipod. It says that it is synced but nothing changes. I believe I had set up two different libraries on the old pc, and so certain cds had been copied into her library. I can't find them in the earlier mentioned transfered library. That's not a big deal, as I can just use those cds to add them back in later (more work though). I've read older community posts on my issue, but any article links on how-to are too old, I guess. I like the idea of using just one library and creating playlists for each ipod to sync to, but cannot figure out how to do this. Also, do I need to restore my daughter's ipod to get the ball rolling? She's taken a couple of videos she likes and I'm not sure I want to lose it in the restore. Any advice greatly appreciated.

Hey puckaluck8,
Thanks for the question, and welcome to Apple Support Communities.
The following article provides different methods for managing multiple devices with one computer:
How to use multiple iPhone, iPad, or iPod devices with one computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1495
You mentioned syncing separate playlists, which is definitely a good method. The other option you may want to consider is called "Manually Syncing", which you can read about here:
iOS: How to transfer or sync content to your computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1296
Thanks,
Matt M.

Two ipods, one library

How do i load songs from my ipod into the library..The ipod has songs from another computer...i like them and i already have songs on my itunes library....i want to keep both if possible but the ones on the ipod for sure...i just want to add the songs from one ipod to the library so that i can add them to my other ipod

Hello mateo09,
There are a couple of methods for using more than one iPod on a single computer. Have a look at the article linked below. Method one is to have two Mac or Windows user accounts which by definition would give you two completely separate libraries. Method two is to set your preferences so each iPod is updated with only certain playlists within one library. Have a look anyway and see what you think and go for whichever you feel suits your needs best: How To Use Multiple iPods with One Computer
Just a point on posting, you should create a new thread when you are asking a question as you'll a) probably get it answered quicker and b) it avoids causing confusion when someone is trying to get the answer to a situation unrelated to yours.

2 ipods, one library, different musical taste

I have 2 ipods, my wife has one and I have one. We have different taste in music, but I would like to share the same music library, which is on an external drive. Since our music library is huge, I don't want multiple copies of the songs. How can I setup, so that each of us sync different selections of music, but share the same library?

There are a few different ways to use two iPods with one computer, have a look at this help page for suggestions: How to use multiple iPods with one computer
If you want to share the one library, you can set either or all of the iPods so that they only get updated with only certain playlists (you can update from more than one if you wish): Loading songs onto iPod automatically - Windows
Choosing the update option "Sync Music - Selected playlists" allows you to create a playlist specifically for the iPod and drag the tracks you want into it. If you tire of the list and want to change it, you just add or remove the songs you don't want. The ones you take out out remain in the library to be used some other time if you choose. You can read more about playlists at these links:
iTunes: Creating playlists of your favorite songs
How to create a Smart Playlist with iTunes
Or you can choose to update any or all of the iPods manually and just drag whatever content you want to them: Managing content manually on iPod

Multiple Ipods - One Account?

I purchased Ipods for a friend as well as my kids and they all want a copy of my complete library of songs. Is this possible?

It's possible but not entirely legal (apart from sharing with your family). You cannot give copies of the songs to a friend, that's illegal file sharing. There are several different ways to use multiple iPods with one computer, have a look at this help page for suggestions: How to use multiple iPods with one computer

HELP! multiple ipods one itunes??

we have three kids who each have an ipod. can you have multiple ipods on one account or itunes program?
ipod 4gen. 20gb,ipod nano 2g(x2)

Of course, read up on it:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300432
Post back with any ?

3 iPods, one library and seem to have lost most of my iTunes library

Here's the deal - 3 separate iPods, uneducated users, and (we think) one library. Most of the library now has the little ! beside each song however some songs are still on one of the iPods but can't be found in the library. I seriously need help. Any thoughts appreciated.

*Most of the library now has the little !*
That just means that iTunes can't locate the files. Have you perhaps moved, deleted or renamed a folder that contained the music you had in your library?
*however some songs are still on one of the iPods*
There are a number of third party utilities that you can use to retrieve the music files and playlists from your iPod. You'll find that they have varying degrees of functionality and some will transfer movies, videos, photos, podcasts and games as well. Have a look at the web pages and documentation, this is just a small selection of what's available, they are generally quite straightforward. You can read reviews and comparisons of some of them here:
Wired News - Rescue Your Stranded Tunes
Comparison of iPod managers
TuneJack Windows Only (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
SharePod Windows Only (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
iPod2PC Windows Only
iDump Windows Only
iPodRip Mac & Windows
YamiPod Mac and Windows
Music Rescue Mac & Windows
iPod Music Liberator Mac & Windows
Floola Mac & Windows
iGadget Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
iRepo Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
iPod Access Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
TouchCopy Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
If you have any iTunes Music Store purchases the transfer of purchased content only from the iPod to authorised computers was introduced with iTunes 7. You'll find details in this article: Copying iTunes Store purchases from your iPod or iPhone to a computer

2 ipods one library

I have the Ipod Video and the Nano.
How do I select certain songs for one Ipod but different songs for the other?
Hope this question makes sense
Thanks

I prefer method three of the following link. I find multiple libraries easier to control.
Using multiple iPods on one computer.
Mort

Multiple iPods, one iTunes.

Over the past few days my mother and I have gotten an iPod Touch each. We also use the same iTunes with Windows XP. Is there anyway to make seperate folders or such on iTunes so I can keep my music seperate from hers?

you can just create play lists, put your music in your playlist and hers in hers, thats an easy way to do it.
otherwiese why does it matter if the music is seperate? you can both enjoy all of the music.
my wife and i have 5 ipods, but just keep one library.

Multiple Macs one library

I'm not a Aperture user, I'm just trying to figure out which program to use. I tried iPhoto, I've used iView for several years (but don't really like it), I looked at Adobes program, and now I'm playing with Aperture.
There is however one thing I haven't figured out yet. Can I use one Aperture library on two Macs? I can see how I would normally use a MacBook but once in a while I would like to be able to use a MacPro, is there some way this can be done (note: not at the same time)?

First off, whatever you do is just keep the vault on a separate external drive.
A vault is simply a non-directly usable backup of the Aperture library that would need to be used to rebuild a library. (actually there is a way to change a vault into a library, but that is a bit over the top here....)
A simple way for using two computers and one library would be to have the Aperture Library on a FW800 drive. Just plug it into whichever computer you want to use at the time.
A second way (if you insist on having the library on the slow MacBook Pro internal drive) would be to use Target Disk Mode to mount the MacBook Pro hard drive onto the MacPro and use the library from there.
A third way (if you insist on having the library on the slow MacBook Pro internal drive again) would be keep the library on the MacBook Pro, ethernet the two computers together and mount the MacBook Pro's hard drive on the MacPro, then open the Aperture Library with the MacPro. Just be sure to NEVER use the library on both computers at the same time. The problem with the final way is it is the slowest way, but still usable.
My choice would be #1.
Finally you could go with SATA drives and cards for the fastest speeds but this is an expensive option.

Multiple iPods, One Computer - Question

I currently have a Classic 160GB and I'm looking into getting a Nano or iTouch soon. I have the ability to use more than one computer or more than one account to sync them both that way, but I was wondering about a different method not mentioned in this [article|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300432].
If my Classic 160GB is set to sync automatically when it is hooked up, syncing all checked items, as it does now; And then I set a new iTouch to let me manage it manually, can't I use the same library file and not worry about iTunes making multiple copies of things when it 'manages my music folders'?
It seems to me this would be an ideal solution if possible, because managing 8-32GB of space which will most likely be mostly videos, is not a hard thing. If I can have one iPod "manually managed" and one "automatically managed" by the same iTunes on the same computer, please let me know!
And if so, Apple should add that as a fourth method in that article.

iTunes will recognize each iPod as unique. You can manage each one differently, as you wish.
I would suggest you consider "Sync selected playlists" for your Touch. I find that you get all the benefits of syncing (playcounts, ratings and last played get synced) with most of the control for manually managing your music. It can be as simple as setting up a smart playlist that limits the amount of music to a size the Touch can handle to more complex, multiple playlists set ups. I have a playlist that selects 1000 songs, a few special playlists and then playlists of recently purchased albums (no, Chris, I don't make a playlist for every album). I also have a playlist for video. I find this is much less work than manually managing. But, to each their own.
Best of luck and enjoy your Touch.

Multiple ipods one itunes; repeat registering

I had a ipod that just died. I am adding a new one to my computer at the same time I happen to be setting up my kids for christmas gifts. I have done the multiple libaries fine however now when I plug each on in to make updates itunes asks me to register the ipod again! I have registered each one at least three times now. Any advice??

I've seen this mentioned on the iPod forum a few times. The advice there was to click on "never register" and that seems to have helped some people.

Multiple ipods one library

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