Multiple "libraries" possible?

Pardon me if this is a dumb question...but..
My GF has an Ipod Nano, and a library with her songs in it. Now I want to get a Nano as well, and keep my own list or library of songs, completely separate from hers, that I can transfer onto my iPod Nano, using the same account. Is this possible with iTunes? How would I do this, if so, step by step?
Derek
Dell Windows XP

Just use different playlists to update each nano.
GF playlist
My playlist
There are step-by-step directions on creating playlists in iTunes > Help > iTunes and Music Store Help
Organizing your music > playlists
Then to update the iPods,
To automatically update your iPod, iPod nano, or iPod mini with only selected playlists, first connect your iPod to your computer. When it appears in the Source list, choose Edit > Preferences and click the iPod tab. Click the Music tab and select "Automatically update selected playlists only," and then select the playlists you want to copy.
There is also this article
How to use multiple iPods with one computer
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300432

Similar Messages

Multiple Libraries possible on a PowerBook?

Hi
I was wondering if it's possible to have more than one iTunes library on my PowerBook. I have the whole family's music collection on my current library and it's getting very full and difficult to manage. I'm wanting to put all my children's music into a separate library so that I can just open that one when they want to listen to their music. This would keep things completely separate instead of having playlists/folders.
If it's possible, how do you do it?
Hope somebody can help.
Thanks!

If you want to keep the entire library in one account, but create 'subsets' for your children, Libra or iTunes Library Manager might do the job.
Hope this helps.
M
17' iMac fp 800 MHz 768 MB RAM Mac OS X (10.3.9) Several ext. HD (backup and data)

Multiple libraries share possible on Apple TV

Hi..
we have 2 ATV's in the house with a mac mini as a media server consiting of seperate (2 in this case) iTunes libraried, share under the same Apple ID..
I assume both of these libaries will appear in iTunes under "Shared" ?
Also, since i am using Home Sharing to an ATV, and they are also signed in via the same AppeID with multiple libraries, would this mean *both* libraries will show up on each ATV device ? If no, which one will. since its the same AppleID being used.

Unless the libraries are on different computers, then you will only be able to see one at once, which will be the one currently open.

How do I go from using a single Apple ID with multiple libraries to using home sharing?

Until now my wife and I have opted to share our iTunes/Apple ID and use multiple libraries to manage our iPhones. This has become increasingly difficult...with issues such as having apps I've downloaded that she doesn't want automatically downloading to her library and even her phone. Now, add in the fact that I want to continue to manage my iTunes library from our PC and allow her to manage hers from her new MacBook Pro and we have good reason to move to home sharing with separate Apple IDs for each of us.
My question is the logistics of doing so. Not only do we need to replicate her existing library on a new Apple ID, but then we need to migrate all the necessary files over to her MacBook Pro. Quite honestly, I don't even know where to begin. Is it possible to associate her existing library with her new Apple ID without having to create her library from scratch? Then is there anyway to migrate only the items in her library over to her MacBook Pro as opposed having to move all of our music & apps? Where do I begin?
Thanks!

Okay...I misunderstood and thought we needed separate ID's...but I see we actually need to use the same ID which simplifies things in my mind a bit. But still some followups...
1) What do you mean by restore the library on her computer? Simply open her library file in iTunes?
2) On our current machine...media is actually split between a couple folders but all under the My Music folder. But there are multiple subfolders (iTunes, Her iPhone, and Amazon MP3). I presume as long as I copy over the entire My Music folder there shouldn't be any access issues when the library is opened on her machine?
3) Is there any easy way to get rid of all the extra files that she doesn't have in her library? For instance, all my music and apps that she doesn't actually want, is there any easy way of separating those out from the files that are actually linked to in her library? Vice versa for me...once we've go her library set up on her machine, any easy way to purge all the extra files from my PC that aren't actually in my library?
Thanks!

Multiple Libraries on 1 computer?

Hi,
I was wondering is it possible to set up multiple libraries on one computer? For example if multiple family members using the same computer but w/ vastly different musical tastes all have iPods is there a way to set iTunes up where I wouldn't have to deal w/ all of my other family member's songs?

These links should help:
Natalie Beresford: Multiple iPods/iTunes Installations
How to use multiple iPods with one computer
How to share music between different accounts on a single computer

Managing multiple libraries with different file types (AAC v. Lossless)

I have set up two libraries, one for my AAC music and the other for my lossless music. The files themselves are located in two separate places on my hard drive. When I switch libraries (option-clicking iTunes), and go to Preferences/Advanced tab, the directory for the files and the import method doesn't change -- I have to change it manually. This is annoying.
Does anyone know of a way to automate this change, so that if I open a new library, the default location of the files and the import format changes automatically? I tried ituneslibrarymanager from Dougscripts, but for some reason can't get this program to install on my machine.

No, it's the same Windows XP user account, but I have two separate music libraries - the music files in library are in a lossless format, while those in the other are in AAC. For convenience, I wish to keep the two libraries separate.
In iTunes 7 it is possible to have separate libraries - start iTunes and hold down the SHIFT key (Windows) while the program starts. A dialogue box then appears where the required library can be selected. However, as far as I can tell, it's not possible to have a different set of preferences for each library.
Say the preferences are set up for my lossless library, which is located on a separate network drive. If I then make the AAC library active and open iTunes, iTunes reindexes the library according to the settings for the lossless library and I end up with the AAC library full of lossless files. I've tried unchecking various things in the preferences box, but I've had no luck fixing the problem. Thanks for your suggestion - I have already reported the problem.
The whole thing is a rather inelegant way of managing multiple libraries in iTunes. Surely the Apple developers can come up with a way of doing it from within iTunes??

Multiple libraries for one ipod and match?

Ok, so... I've got about 1500 songs purchased via itunes, and own about 3500 CDs, which I'm in the process of adding to my library. All but about 50 of the discs were already ripped years ago, and I'm just copying the backup mp3s onto my new external drive after the last one failed. Anyhow, I just got itunes Match and I'm wondering if I made a mistake in doing so. Is there a way to have songs from multiple libraries on my ipod? Due to the sheer volume of music (and other thigns) I own, I'm wondering if I should just make a comedy library, a blues library, a synthpop library, a metal one, a rock & roll one, an oldies one and so on. If I do that, will I be relegated to having to decide what style of music I want on my ipod at any given time, or is there a way for me to load different items from multiple libraries onto the thing?
I'm halfway tempted to just delete my entire library from itunes and just be SUPER picky about what tracks I add in order to be able to get under the 25K limit. As is, right now I've got 21411 items in my library, over 20000 of which are in match, but it keeps crashing on step 3 right now. As is, I already know I need to re-mp3 some of the discs since when I did them originally they were less than 96K (oddly, I'm finding it's mainly on my "oldies" discs like the American Graffiti soundtrack), and that doens't bug me, but the idea of having to go through song by song and add only what I want is one I'm not too fond of and that I'd like to avoid if at all possible.
I'm really digging match, but not so much now that I realized there's a hard limit to the number of songs available. I don't think Apple is used to folks like me who live & breathe music and attend well over 100 concerts in the average year.
Thanks for anyone who's read all of my rambling, and any of y'all who can provide me a bit of guidance!
-Ann

This would be making is WAY less difficult. This is a MUCH needed feature in iTunes that they should add. As a DJ I absolutely hate having all my music in one library. Certain genres, like Electronic music, deserve to be in their own library. I would like to be able to hit the Music icon on my iPod and have it ask me what library of music I would like to access.
This would allow siblings to share one iPod and not have to combine all of their music together. Or you could make a library of music with no explicicit music on it (and passcode it) so that you don't have to worry about kids having access to your explicit material if you let them use your iPod.
You can already make multiple libraries in iTunes, why not just add the obvious next step and be able to add multiple libraries onto one iPod.

Multiple Libraries: 2 sets of preferences?

When using multiple libraries, is it possible to have a set of preferences for each one? For example: I have an Apple Lossless library which contains all of my music and I’d like to create an AAC library for use with my Nano. When I create a new library and change the importing preferences to 256 AAC, those settings remain when I open my Apple Lossless library.

i got it. duh.

Multiple Libraries in iTunes 7 (Windows)

Another whinge about iTunes 7!
The multiple libraries feature in the Windows version (I don't know about the Mac version) is very poorly implemented and, quite frankly, useless.
When changing libraries in iTunes 7, the preferences for the new library are not copied across; in effect, iTunes 7 retains the preferences for the previous library. This becomes very annoying if the user has libraries with different preference settings, as I do. I have two libraries, one of which is located on the hard drive of my PC and the other on a network drive. The two libraries have different preferences, ie music location and the encoder used when importing files (one lossless and the other AAC).
Whenever I switch libraries in iTunes 7, the preferences for the previous library are retained. Consequently, when I select a new library I have to change the preferences to match those required for that library. Otherwise, iTunes 7 updates the new library according to the preferences for the old library. Very frustrating, I can tell you!
I have now removed iTunes 7 and restored iTunes 6, along with a third party library manager until such time as Apple comes up with a decent way of managing multiple libraries.
Windows XP

No, it's the same Windows XP user account, but I have two separate music libraries - the music files in library are in a lossless format, while those in the other are in AAC. For convenience, I wish to keep the two libraries separate.
In iTunes 7 it is possible to have separate libraries - start iTunes and hold down the SHIFT key (Windows) while the program starts. A dialogue box then appears where the required library can be selected. However, as far as I can tell, it's not possible to have a different set of preferences for each library.
Say the preferences are set up for my lossless library, which is located on a separate network drive. If I then make the AAC library active and open iTunes, iTunes reindexes the library according to the settings for the lossless library and I end up with the AAC library full of lossless files. I've tried unchecking various things in the preferences box, but I've had no luck fixing the problem. Thanks for your suggestion - I have already reported the problem.
The whole thing is a rather inelegant way of managing multiple libraries in iTunes. Surely the Apple developers can come up with a way of doing it from within iTunes??

Multiple libraries, Pbook/Pmac, advice for management & updating please.

Hi Everyone,
I travel frequently, and am looking for suggestions to keep all my iPhoto libraries up to date. I currently have a g5, Powerbook, and Mini.
I just upgraded to iPhoto 6 and I have several thousand photos on my Dual g5. I just came back with 1000 more from my diving trip. The problem is, they are on my Powerbook, and taking up alot of space on the relatively small hard drive. I managed to work through the rough upgrade from 5 to 6, and now I need some more help...
1) What is your advice for managing multiple libraries of photos.
2) What is the best way to transfer the iphoto pics (and movies) to my desktop, which of course has the larger storage capacity, after travelling...
Thanks,

Jason:
There are several different approaches to what you want to do. Let me just throw out a couple that I'm familiar with.
To get the new photos from your PB to your G5 and maintain any keywords, and other organization effort you put into them, you'll need the paid version of iPhoto Library Manager. It will allow you to merge libraries or copy between libraries and maintain the metadata, etc. That's the only way currently available to move photos from one library to another and keep the roll, keywords, comments, etc. with those photos. You can connect the two Macs with one in the Target Mode, probably your PB, and then run iPLM to move the photos to the G5 library.
Now there is a way to have a library on your PB that reflects the one on your G5 but is only a fraction of the size. That's to have an alias based library on your PB that uses the Originals folder as its source of source files. (My 25,600 files, 27G, are represented by an iPhoto Library folder of only 1.75G). When the PB is not connected with the G5, say with a LAN, it will have limited capabilities which are in part: you'll only be able to view the thumbnail files, be able to add comments, create, delete or move albums around, add keywords (but with some hassle-but it can be done). You can't do anything that requires moving thumbnails around, work with books, slideshows or calendars. Once the two computers are networked together again the library will act as normal.
Now while on the road you can have a "normal" library to import new full sized files, keyword them, add comments, etc. and then transfer to the G5 library. Once in the G5 library they will be represented in a roll(s) and corresponding folder in the Originals folder. You then fire up the "alias" library, and import those new folders in the G5 Originals folder.
It may be a lot of work but it may be one way of doing it.
I've not done any of the "sharing" with iPhoto so don't know if that's another possible candidate for transferring.
P.S. FWIW I've created this workflow for converting from a conventional library to an alias based one.

Multiple libraries on one Mac recognised by iPods?

I would like to have all my music in one location but have multiple libraries for different members of my family. When I plug in an iPod, say my daughter's, I want it to know whose iPod it is, and open the relevant library (my daughter's) so that I can sync that iPod with that library. Possible? Thanks.

To create or access a second (or more) library, hold down the Option key (or Shift key in Windows) when launching iTunes. 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. The new library will be empty until you add content to it. To get back to your original library you need to close iTunes and open it again while holding down the shift key, this time choose to open an existing library and navigate to its location. Multiple libraries 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 -Mac
Another option is to create a separate Mac User account for each person on your computer. Different user 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

Multiple libraries, projects and reorganizing for the new year

I have used Aperture since 1.0 and really like it but the growing pains are still present - over time of use, I've ended up with multiple libraries [2 main ones and 2-3 little ones that probably can be safely archived]. I want to start fresh in the new year and have a new Library that is my main one, my only one in fact == is it possible/feasible/desireable to export projects from Library A and B and then import the ones i want into my 2007 Library the way my new organizing system will be? I mainly have images according to geography and people [e.g. people in locations versus family and friends]. Can I consolidate all my Libraries into one new one for use in the future ?? Will exporting each project and then importing into my new master Library work??

I've been thinking just a little about what features I would like the next rev of aperture to have. Though I haven't thought through the specifics, easier and more efficient use and management of multiple libraries, projects etc would be nice. Whole aperture projects referenced from multiple libraries or some such? (I said I hadn't thought it through!)
It's over a year since aperture came out, macworld is coming up, and I suspect that 2.0 will be released eventually some time in the future, perhaps with changes (maybe even improvements!) in library and project workflow.
So while I too am considering how to organize my own aperture materials I am currently holding off for bit just in case there might maybe possibly be (Conjecture Warning!!!) something new announced soon....
MBP17 2.16 ghz 2gb 120gb Mac OS X (10.4.8)
MBP17 2.16 ghz 2gb 120gb Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Multiple libraries/smart playlists for different disks, or sort by location

Hey.
My iTunes music is physically stored on my computer's local hard disk, on an external hard disk, and on a remote server from which I stream online. When my computer is disconnected from my external hard disk or from the internet, I don't want to seeing unreachable tracks in my iTunes library; I'd rather have a list of songs which are available for me to play. I'd like to create multiple libraries, one for each disk.
Or I'd like to create smart playlists which automatically fill with content from specified locations (as opposed to content added by artist, duration, last playtime, etc).
Or I'd like to be able to sort my library based on physical file location.
As far as I've searched, this isn't yet possible. Anyone know how to make this work, or know how to suggest this feature to Apple?
Thanks.
iTunes
iTunes 6.0.5.20 Windows XP Pro
iTunes 6.0.5.20 Windows XP Pro

Hi,
Thanks for your reply. This worked but it doesnt seem to be consistent.. not sure if the fact that I have a smart playlist based on another smart playlist (only because I want 5 anded conditions + 1 or'd which is playcount=0) and hence something goes wrong?
Any better way overall to manage these? I now have 4 pairs of these.
Also, any way to have a Smart Playlist that selects only video? They have the Media Kind = Podcast, but no Media Type = Video..
Many thanks,
Vik

Multiple libraries, multiple instances, multiple preference sets

Hi everyone!
I know how to create multiple libraries, but does anyone know if it is possble to access through ONE instance of iTunes the multiple libraries created? If not, is it possible to run multiple instables of iTunes?
In any case, if it possible to have different preference sets for each library?
The reason I'm asking is that I find it really great to have multiple libraries so that one can have media on different drives/locations and better manage one's media. However, it's a real pain in the *** to have to quit iTunes, hold the Option key while starting iTunes, choose a library, and play whatever one wants to play.
Syncing with an iPod, too, is a pain, because I have to manually manage the iPod.
So until, iTunes does all this by itself, does anyone know of a solution?
Thanks.
PowerBook G4 17" Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Good thoughts, and maybe we'll get there someday. Already, Apple has made a complex business (managing a media library) impressively easy through iTunes, and it's steadily improved iTunes, too. Of course, the success that Apple has had in software ergonomics always leaves it in the position of having consumers say, "Well, if you can give us this, then why can't you give us that?"
At the same time, many--probably a large majority--of iTunes users do not discern the difference between the iTunes Library and the collection of music files the Library refers to. I'm sure Apple is concerned about confusing such users by adding the kind of complexity and power to iTunes that some of us could take advantage of. It's a tough balancing act.
(BTW, I think Apple should have chosen its iTunes terminology a little differently in order to help users more easily understand iTunes organization. Maybe the iTunes folder could have been called the iTunes Library folder, the iTunes Music Library file the iTunes Music Catalog, and the iTunes Music folder the iTunes Music Holdings folder, or something along those lines that makes for a closer analogy with a regular, physical library.)
I still think Apple could give you the feature you seem to be looking for by creating a new kind of preset...maybe call it Collections, or something like that... that would allow you to store different sets of preferences affecting Importing of new tunes--location, file format, etc. Then you could do what you want within one library.
Who knows? ...Hope you get what you want sometime soon!
iMac G4 17; iBook G4 1.33 Mhz 14; iPod 3G 20GB Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Multiple Libraries on iTunes

Is it possible to have multiple libraries on iTunes? How do I set them up.
I have a library with about 26,000 songs and want to add out holiday music.
I'd like to have a seperate library just for the holiday music and be able to switch between them.

Steve:
I must echo Matthew's recommendation of iTunes Library Manager. I am currently in the process of reencoding all of my CDs. I had ripped a substantial portion of them when iTunes first came out, and I did so without knowing what I was doing - some are ripped in low bitrate MP3, others were transcoded from AAC to MP3 and vice-versa. In some cases, there were problems with the rip and songs were truncated. I decided that rather than try to weed out the bad tracks, I'd just re-rip the entire physical library as Apple Lossless.
By doing so in a separate library - I don't worry about duplicate tracks or the Lossless files getting mixed up with the MP3 data files, and then whenever I need a "clean" copy for my main library - I can just browse, import and convert to the desired codec. I also don't want the Lossless in my main library because that is the Library I use to sync with my iPod, and I don't have enough space to keep all my music in Lossless format on the iPod.
The utility is very easy to use - when you first open it, you should save your current library under two different names, and then load the version you are going to edit. iTunes Library Manager will ask you if you want to quit and load, and then it will prompt you for relaunch. You can have as many libraries as you need. The current version doesn't have a way of creating an empty library - if you want to start from scratch for any reason, but all you'll need to do is delete the songs from the Library, but NOT - REPEAT NOT - FROM YOUR HARD DRIVE.
Definitely worth the $5 shareware fee.
Lita

Multiple "libraries" possible?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for