Multiple Music Libraries on One iDevice

I currently use iTunes to manage my music on my iMac and Macbook. I have my Electronic Music seperated into its own library for various reasons. As a DJ it's way easier to manage that way rather than having to dig through Led Zeppelin and The Beatles and all my other regular music.
To do this I use the "hold Option button while opening iTunes" which allows me to choose what library I'm trying to access.
What I want is to be able to sync these multiple music libraries onto my iPhone AND KEEP THEM SEPERATE.
I really don't want to have to merge them together to get all of the music onto my iPhone. It's much more conveinient for them to be seperated. Right now I sync my electronic music to my iPod and my 'regular' music to my iPhone, but it's sort of redudant to be carrying around two devices when this is literally just a software patch away from iTunes being able to do it. (Wake up Apple)
So I guess what I'm asking is if there are any thrid party apps that allow one to do this.

If you use manual syncing, you can sync items from more than one iTunes library to your iPod. (You can sync iPod touch, iPhone, and iPad with only one iTunes library.) When manually managing content, you can add content from multiple libraries to your iPod or iPad. Even when manually managing music, some content may be available from only one library at time. This includes all content on iPhone and video content on iPod and iPad. http://support.apple.com/kb/PH12113 and http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1202
As for multiple libraries you can put in a request to Apple but I would not wait for it. (Hint: the big media companies do not want people syncing all their buddies' libraries to each others iPods, and who controls distribution of media to the company that designs iTunes?)
http://www.apple.com/feedback/itunesapp.html

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Have multiple iTunes libraries on one machine?

Hi,
I want to have multiple iTunes libraries on one machine (with two different hard drives, internal fore mp3s and external for AAC files). One library is composed of mp3s for an iPod, I want the other library to have AAC audio files for burning CDs. I would rather the libraries not be mixed.
I have read the article (#301748) for migrating an iTunes library and am preparing to migrate one of the libraries on to a external hard drive.
I have read about using Libra to maintain two different libraries on one machine. I was wondering if anyone does this and if they have encountered any problems? Is there a better solution?
Thank you,
TPK

It's one thing to want two music libraries on one machine and another to want two music libraries on one user account. For the latter, here's what I've done.
I created folders in my iTunes folder called, say, Main Library Folder and Second Library Folder. (These could be anywhere you find convenient.) I dragged my regular iTunes Library file into the Main Library Folder. Then I opened iTunes and created my second music library. When I finished that, I closed iTunes and dragged the just-created iTunes Library file into the Second Library Folder.
If I want to use my main iTunes library, before opening iTunes I drag an alias (Cmmd-Option-drag) of the iTunes Library file from the Main Library Folder into the iTunes folder. Then, when I open iTunes, iTunes reads my main library file. And of course, it works the same way for the second library.
Of course, you could just shuffle the actual library files into position in the iTunes folder from their holding areas, but I strongly preferred to get myself into the habit of relying on aliases, so I could leave the actual library file alone in their respective folders. You most definitely would not want to accidentally overwrite one of your iTunes Library files.
I'm sure one of the shareware products would do a more elegant job, but this just shows you that it's not a difficult process.
The alternative is to set up separate user accounts to access different libraries on the same machine. This has real benefits and, to me, should be the first option one considers. It's easier on the brain, as it sticks to iTunes' one-user-one-library model, and there's absolutely no risk of getting libraries confused. Fast User Switching on the Mac makes going back and forth between accounts easy. But if you really want to avoid using different accounts, and it's only you that has to keep things straight, the approach of jumping back and forth between different libraries in the same user account should be OK.

Integrate Music Libraries onto One iPod

Sorry, I am a total iPod novice so please be patient.
I have two computers, one at home and one at work (both Windows based OS, both Dells machines). Anyway, is it possible for me to integrate the two music libraries onto my iPod. I have different music on my computer at home than I do at work and vise versa. I have purchased music at home that I don't have at work and vise versa.
What I want to do is to have all music from both locations on the iPod. Can that be done?
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20GB Windows 2000

Easy peasy, put iPod in manual mode
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Merging of multiple aperture libraries into one master library

Over the years, due to limited disk space on my Mac, I ended up having now 3 aperture libraries in 3 separate external hard drive, totaling between he 3 libraries over 2TB of photo storage. I just purchased an additional 4TB external drive (my 4th external hard drive from Lacie) to put ALL my separate Aperture libraries into ONE (1) master Aperture library. I would like to know if anyone could help me with a set of step by step instructions to MERGE my 3 separate Aperture libraries into ONE (1) MASTER library on my newly purchased 4TB external drive. I've looked online and found several articles dealing with merging libraries from multiple computers. I tried them all and was NOT able to do what I would like to do. PLEASE, if any of you have done what I would love to do or knows how to do it, I would appreciate your help. A step by step instructions regarding how to do it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much! Robert

Thanks Kieby,
This is what I did: 1.) File/Swith to Library/Other/New To create a new Aperture library which I called MasterAperture Library. The new library was created on my new 4TB external driver.
2.) I then CLOSED Aperture and re-opened it using my default Aperture library located on my Picture folder (Aperture Library).
3.) I did: File/Export/Project as new Library. I chose my external hard drive with the filename: MAsterAperture Library, EXPORT.
The first time I did that nothing happened, I still had an empty MasterAperture Library files without any pictures.
Then I did the same thing thing, except this time, I high lighted my first Projects and went down to my items on my albums and then CTL-H so everthing would be high lighted (ALl my projects and all my albums). Then I did step 3 to the MasterAperture Library and I was able to get the MasterAperture Library as an image copy of the content of the Aperture Library located on my Pictures folder.
Then another problem came up, when I tried to replicateduplicate the same steps outlined above to merge my other 2 remaining libraries, I could NOT do so because the process, at that time, told me that the file MasterAperture Library already exists and if I were to continue, the content of MasterAperture Library will be replaced. Of course this is not wantt. I would like to be able to MERGE the contents of the 2 or 3 remaining libraries that I have currently located in different external drive/locations into the file MasterAperture Library located on my 4TB external drive, and do so, if possible, without too many duplications (if possible, because if I have to remove duplicated projects/albums/photos later, I am willing to do so)!. By the way, I've read the Aperture userguide more than once and have tried the approaches suggested in the guide without succes yet. Thanks again for your kind help. Regards, Bob

Combining two music libraries on one iMac

Hi, I have about an 80 GB iTunes music library on my iMac. My new wife has a library of about 130 GB which is currently on an external hard drive. I want to combine both libraries on one iTunes account on our iMac. First, what is the best way to combine the two libraries into one big library in iTunes AND avoid having hundreds of duplicate albums and songs once they are combined in iTunes (we have the same taste in music)? Thanks!

Combining them is easy but you will have to weed out the duplicates manually.
Boot iTunes (ideally on a second computer but you can do this on the main one) while holding the option key. You will be asked to select a library: choose your wife's.
Create a playlist. Drag all the songs you want to copy over to the playlist, avoiding the duplicates.
If you've done this on a second computer, now go to your main computer and open iTunes to this library in the same way. Create a folder on your Desktop, select the entire contents of the playlist and drag to this folder. Wait for it to copy.
Now boot iTunes while holding the option key again and choose your own Library. Drag the contents of the folder to your Music list.
If any of your wife's songs are 'Protected AACs' you will need to authorise your computer for her account as well. Go to the iTunes Store and log out. Log in with her account name and authorise the computer. You can log into either account to purchase.

Can I have multiple ipod libraries on one pc

Is it possible to have 3 separate ipod libraries on one pc? How is it done?

You can also use one library and sync each device with a different selection of playlists which might be an easier way to manage things.
tt2

ITunes Match & multiple music libraries

As you can see from my products list below, I have a history of devices -- all with iTunes' libraries connected by the same login of my @mac eddress. As I added a new device, it became my default iTunes library. Syncing & ripping my CDs between the last to the newest device has been spotty, so iTunes, iCloud & iTunes Match make me positively giddy.
Guess I'm still fuzzy on how iTunes Match in particular will work. Do I need to use the device containing the bulk of my ripped music as the library scanned? If that device happens to be an iPod classic 3, do I need to sync it to my iTunes library using one of my newer devices before signing up for iTunes Match? Unfortunately, I'm betting I won't have enough disk space on a single newer device to do this....
What's the most efficient way of prepping for iTunes Match & iCloud? Thanks!
And, thank you, Steve. This world has become much less interesting, but I wish you restful peace.

I see. That makes more sense to me. This link might also help you understand it better: http://www.apple.com/itunes/whats-new/
Basically, what iTunes Match will do is scan your iTunes library and when it finds non-purchased music that is already on the iTunes Store it will be added to your iTunes in the Cloud; any non-purchased muisc that is not in the Store will then be uploaded to your iCloud account. Up to 25,000 tracks, I think. This will allow you to download your purchased and non-purchased music to any iDevice or computer that is logged in with an AppleID.
Keep in mind iTunes Match is not a streaming service. It does physically download the files to your iDevice even though they may start playing automatically (depending on network speeds) the files are still being downloaded to your iDevice.
Make more sense?

Ow do I set up multiple itunes libraries on one computer?

I already have itunes set up on my desktop. My daughter library was set up on my laptop, which is no longer working (the whole lap top). I want to be able to set up another library on the desktiop to manage her library. Can I do this and then sync? If so, can you share how to please?! THANKS!

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Sync multiple iTunes libraries on one ATV

Is it possible to sync the itunes libraries from my two macs onto one appleTV? The libraries are unique.
When I try to switch source to sync....ATV says I will replace the contents from the previous sync with the contents of the other mac.

I don't have an ATV yet (should be arriving any day now), so I can't test this, but at the very least you should be able to stream from two different iTunes libraries on the same computer. This article mentions doing it:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305287
Apparently when there are multiple logins with multiple instances of iTunes running on the same machine, they use additional TCP ports that would normally get blocked by the firewall, if it's turned on. Maybe you've got the firewall turned on, and it's smart enough to open a hole for the standard iTunes port (3689) but not the extra holes for additional users (49152 and above).
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Multiple iTunes Libraries on one computer?

I'm a newbie and have what is probably a very simple question, but I'm confused. Both my boyfriend and I have iPods. What we're doing now is he's got his iTunes library on the laptop (syncing and charging on the laptop), and I have mine on the desktop (syncing and charging on the desktop).
We're going on vacation and we would both like access to our libraries on the laptop while on vacation. Can you maintain two libraries on a single computer? How do I manage two different iPods on one computer?
Thanks

See http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1495

Multiple iPods / libraries on one computer

Hi All and thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
Until recently I have had three ipods with three different libraries all managed through one computer running Windows XP. I accessed the different libraries by clicking onto iTunes and holding the shift key choosing the required library when the option came up.
I have now bought a new computer running Windows 7 and just can't seem to get the same system running. Basically I can get one library up and running but each time I create a second library and import that one it just overwrites the first library leaving only the second library available.
When opening iTunes in the same way (holding down shift) I get a clear option to 'Create new library' but this always seems to superseed the existing library rather than running seperately.
It's now driving me nuts so any help to solve the problem would be fantastic. Plain English answers would be greatlt appreciated as i'm certainly no expert in this field!
Thanks again!

Wow guys, 276 responses, thanks to all.
Unfortunately with such a huge response I haven't been able to go through them all as yet but i'm sure somebody will have come up with the soltion I need.
Thanks again.

How do I merge multiple ipod libraries on one laptop?

We have over 5 ipods in the family and need to sync all their content to one library on one laptop. Every time I plug in an ipod to the laptop, it will only show that ipod's library. I have tried to merge the libraries, but end up losing songs/apps/etc. At present, for example, I can see many apps in the iTunes library, but they will not sync with the ipod that is plugged in. Thanks for any help.

Only two ways currently - the latest versions of iPhoto and of Aperature (which can nopen current iPhoto libraries and can merge libraries) or the paid version of iPhoto Library Manager - http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/ -
LN

Should I merge my multiple iPhoto libraries into one?

I have used iPhoto to organize my photos since I started using a Mac in 2004. Back then, when iPhoto was at number "5" or perhaps even less, I found it more convenient to divide my library into several libraries, one for each calendar year, since, as I recall, iPhoto didn't yet have nearly as many ways of searching for photos as it does today, with iPhoto 11. Today iPhoto is much more sophisticated, and offers many options for organizing and finding photos, by date, faces, location, events, etc. I am wondering if it no longer makes sense to keep my libraries separate by year, and would it be easier to re-merge them all back into one library in iPhoto 11. It is kind of a pain to have to open and close different libraries each time I am looking for an old photo because I can no longer remember what year the event occurred in. Yet I am also afraid that merging my libraries (one for each year since 2002, when I went digital with my photography) might open the proverbial "can of worms" and create more problems than it solves. I'd love to hear from any who have had similar experience.

iPhoto does not have yet the option to merge libraries, unlike Aperture. You would have to use the paid utility "iPhoto Library Manager" to do this.
But iPhoto certainly can cope with larger libraries than before, and it is very useful to have the ability to search all photos at once or to use photos from many years in albums and books. For example, if you want to make a book for an anniversary with pictures from different years, it would be more involved, if you have the photos in different libraries.
Regards
Léonie

How can I Convert Multiple Music tracks into one track or file

I Have Mix Cd's with multiple tracks on them,,,,,,,,I am trying to Convert these tracks into one Track,,,,,,is this process possible thru Itunes or do I need to buy a software for this,,,,,,I see there is a Join Cd Tracks button but it is not highlighted for me to select it,,,,,,,,PLEASE HELP,,,,,,THANKS

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HT3819 If there are multiple iTunes libraries on one computer, will I be able to only sync my own?

I have a shared computer where my iTunes is at because until now I didn't have the right memory or speed to have iTunes on my previous laptops. I just want to make sure that if I use Home Sharing that I will only be able to sync my library to my laptop, and not my brothers as well.

MaddyBT wrote:
I just want to make sure that if I use Home Sharing that I will only be able to sync my library to my laptop,
Sync your library to your laptop from where?
Wiht Home Sharing enabled, you will be able to see all other libraries opened ont eh same network and authorized for Home Sharing with the same account.

Multiple Music Libraries on One iDevice

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