Organizing Music. on my iPod

On my computer I have all my music in Folders & SubFolders:
Artist
-Album 1964
-Album 1965
-Album 1966
After I go into the Folder(Artist) I can then go into any SubFolder(Album).
Sounds simple enough and works really well on my computer.
When I load this same File Structure onto my 80GB Video iPod(Manual/using the iPod as a HardDrive-No Syncing w/iTunes) this File Structure is ignored. All of a sudden I have some Folders that are without the parent Artist Folder.
Also... sometimes they tend to break apart and look like:
Artist
Artist w/Artist 2
Artist feat/Artist3
Artist w/Artist 2 feat/Artist 3
I imagine that it has to do with the iPod trying to organize my files by using the ID tags of the files.
I do realize that I can choose to sort by Artist, Album, Genre, etc. I usually look for music based on the Artist. From there I then open the Album. Rarely do I ever Sort/Search using any of the other options.
I prefer my Folder/SubFolder Structure. I like my Music to stay organized the way I organize it. I do Not like for them to be automatically organized by my iPod.
How can I have my iPod display my Files/Music the way I load them onto it and stop reorganizing my shizzle?

The breaking apart thing with featured artists can be fixed by turning on compilations option.
This didn't work just by turning ON this option. Maybe I have to turn ON this option, then load my iPod?
How are you getting these files onto the iPod?
I am using the iPod like a HardDrive. (so I can connect to the many PC's & Mac's I use without Syncing to any of them)
I am Dragging & Dropping the files/folders from my Computer to my iPod in MAUNUAL Mode.
I have also tried XPlay by MediaFour.
On my computer they are organized by ARTIST then ALBUM.
It really gets screwy when the ARTIST does a song with another ARTIST.
- I want my music to stay the way I have it organized on my computer... regardless of the ID3 tags. <-- Is this possible?

Similar Messages

Organizing music for iTunes/ipod- help

Example, I have several Tom Petty songs. However, 3 songs are in one place, 1 song in another place, 7 songs in another place.
SO.. when I go to play all my Tom Petty, and I hit the Tom Petty song that is in a separate folder it will auto stop after that one song, even though there are 10 more Tom Petty songs.
How do I place all my singles by the same artist in the same folder so the music continually plays on my iPhone when I look up Tom Petty.

Make a smart playlist.
Artist contains Tom Petty.
Didn't you ask this same question in another post?

More on Organizing Music on iPod Classic

Hi,
My iPod is not organizing music in a predictable manner, and I was wondering if anyone has dealt with this issue. I spent hours organizing the iTunes library so that every CD I've imported lists the music according to the parameters: Name (song name, done automatically by iTunes), (ii) Artist (I enter the name of the album artist in this field, such as "Norah Jones"), (iii) Album by Year (I enter the name or title of the CD [e.g. "The Essential Billy Joel"]), (iv) Genre (I created my own genres and placed all of the music into the corresponding genre of my choosing).
Ok, here's what's happening. So far I've imported about 100 CDs with perhaps 35/45 different artists. Since I put the artist's name in the artist field for every CD, one would think that when I click on "Artists" on the iPod (after syncing, of course) I'd have 35/45 different artists to choose from. However, when I click on "Artists" on the iPod I find many missing artists (actually, the greater percentage are missing). For example, I have just about everything by guitarist David Russell (I have 14 CDs in all by him), yet his name doesn't appear in the list of artists unless I click on "Artists" then "All Albums", in which case I have to scroll through my entire collection of albums in alphabetical order by CD title until I find the CD I'm looking for!
An odd thing also happens when I click on "Genres". Let's say that I click on "Genres", and then "Classical Guitar". This takes me to a screen at the top of which is the choice "All Albums", followed by a list of 6 artist's names. Now, I have many more than 6 artists in the classical guitar section, yet only 6 names appear.
There doesn't seem to by any reason for some artists to appear yet others (the majority) not to appear, as I'm organizing every CD in exactly the same way. When I import a CD, I select all songs, right click, select "Get Info", and when the "Multiple Item Information" screen appears, I enter all the information according to parameters already mentioned.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
~Sean

Usually the biggest culprit of this is if the "Part of a Compilation" box is checked. In iTunes pick a song by David Russell and get info. Check to see if this box is clicked. If it is, that's why it won't show up in the "Artist" menu.

Organizing music in ipod

When i figured out how to finally import music into my ipod it did not organize it into artists, albums, and songs, it just has a list of the songs i imported under each category.
For example, i imported all the songs from the beatles album "Help!" into my library, when i added them to my ipod i expected to find the songs under artist:The Beatles, album:Help!, but instead it just had all the songs under the artist and album menus, please tell me what i did wrong

You didn't do anything wrong, the library is used as the source for playlists. If you want to be able to access the Help album as an individual playlist, create a smart playlist with the parameters Album Is Help.
Have a look at the video tutorials, they are very comprehensive:
http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/howto/

Organizing music on iPod Classic

Is there a way to organize music on an iPod classic? More specifically, I want albums sorted by artist and then year so they will be in the order of when they were released. I know how to do this in iTunes (just click the column header and choose the option I want), but even when I do that it will change back the next time I open iTunes.
Any help is appreciated!

It isn't really possible. If you put the year of release into the Sort Album field you can make things work for one artist, but as soon as you have two or more artists then that won't work. Adding both the album artist and then the year of release in the Sort Album might get the albums in the right order in say the iPod's cover flow, but then you'd find the main Albums list a complete jumble in both the iPod and iTunes.
tt2

Is there a way to get music from your iPod onto the computer?

I recieved most of the music that is currently on my iPod from my cousin, but if i want to add some of MY music to the iPod then i have to erase all of her music off of it! Is there a way to save the music that is already on there and then put it back on the iPod once it has been erased?

First of all try this method which works on some Windows PCs.
Open iTunes and select edit/preferences/advanced/general. Put a check mark in the box marked "copy files to iTunes music folder when adding to library" and also "keep iTunes music folder organized", then click 'ok'.
Connect the iPod whilst holding down the shift/ctrl keys to prevent any auto sync, and if you see the dialogue window asking if you want to sync to this itunes library, click 'no'.
Then go to file/add folder, open 'my computer', select your iPod and click 'ok'.
The music files should transfer to your iTunes.
If this doesn't work (and it may not because officially it's not supposed to), check out the instructions/suggestions here.
Music from iPod to computer (using option 2). This a manual method using "hidden folders" and although it works, it can be messy.
Much easier ways are to use one of the many 3rd party programs that copy music from the iPod to the computer.
One of the most recommended is Yamipod. This is a free program that transfers music and playlists etc from iPod back to the computer. However, it does not transfer playcounts/ratings etc.
There is also CopyPod. This does preserve ratings/playcounts etc if those are important to you but this program is not free.
If you are using iTunes version 7 or later, then you can transfer purchased iTunes store music from the iPod to an authorized computer by using the "file/transfer purchases from iPod" menu. Note that the maximum of 5 authorized computers applies here.

Is there a way to get music from my ipod to my itunes library

Hello. I have a problem with my music library. My computer hardrive crashed and i had lost all of my music and other information in iTunes. All i have left is the music on my iPod... But is there a way to get the music from off my iPod and back on my new music library? Plz help. Ty

Check out the instructions/suggestions here.
Music from iPod to computer.
There's also another method. I've successfully tested this across several different Windows PCs.
Open iTunes and select edit/preferences/advanced/general. Put a check mark in the box marked "copy files to iTunes music folder when adding to library" and also "keep iTunes music folder organized", then click 'ok'.
Connect the iPod whilst holding down the shift/ctrl keys to prevent any auto sync, and if you see the dialogue window asking if you want to sync to this itunes library, click 'no'.
Then go to file/add folder, open 'my computer', select your iPod and click 'ok'.
The music files should transfer to your iTunes.
If this doesn't work (and it may not because officially it's not supposed to), there's Yamipod. This is a free program that transfers music and playlists etc from iPod back to the computer. However, it does not transfer playcounts/ratings etc.

Moving music from my IPod to my library

The hard drive on my computer crashed and I lost everything. I got a new hard drive but lost all of my music. Is there any way to get the music off my IPod and put it back into ITunes? My IPod is dying and I'm afraid I'm going to lose all of my music for good. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Open iTunes and select edit/preferences/advanced/general. Put a check mark in the box marked "copy files to iTunes music folder when adding to library" and also "keep iTunes music folder organized", then click 'ok'.
Connect the iPod whilst holding down the shift/ctrl keys to prevent any auto sync, and if you see the dialogue window asking if you want to sync to this itunes library, click 'no'.
Then go to file/add folder, open 'my computer', select your iPod and click 'ok'.
The music files should transfer to your iTunes.
If this doesn't work (and it may not because officially it's not supposed to), there's Yamipod. This is a free program that transfers music and playlists etc from iPod back to the computer. However, it does not transfer playcounts/ratings etc.

Moving music from my ipod to my itunes, how is this done?

hey, how do i sync my itunes with my ipod and not the other way around? my ipod is composed of two slightly overlapping itunes, one from my computer at work the other at home... how do I set my itunes at home to my ipod?

If you are using iTunes version 7 or later, then you can transfer purchased iTunes store music from the iPod to an authorized computer by using the "file/transfer purchases from iPod" menu. Note that the maximum of 5 authorized computers applies here.
For all other non purchased music (your own CDs etc) try this method which works on some Windows PCs.
Enable your iPod for disk use.
See: iPod Disk Use.
Open iTunes and select edit/preferences/advanced/general. Put a check mark in the box marked "copy files to iTunes music folder when adding to library" and also "keep iTunes music folder organized", then click 'ok'.
Connect the iPod whilst holding down the shift/ctrl keys to prevent any auto sync, and if you see the dialogue window asking if you want to sync to this itunes library, click 'no'.
Then go to file/add folder, open 'my computer', select your iPod and click 'ok'.
The music files should transfer to your iTunes.
If this doesn't work (and it may not because officially it's not supposed to), check out the instructions/suggestions here.
Music from iPod to computer (using option 2). This a manual method using "hidden folders" and although it works, it can be messy.
Much easier ways are to use one of the many 3rd party programs that copy music from the iPod to the computer.
One of the most recommended is Yamipod. This is a free program that transfers music and playlists etc from iPod back to the computer. However, it does not transfer playcounts/ratings etc.
Another free program is Pod Player.
There is also CopyPod. This does preserve ratings/playcounts etc if those are important to you but this program is not free. It also supports video transfer.

Transfering music from an iPod to a computer and more

All of the music that I have on my computer, I have transfered to my iPod Video. I am going to reboot my computer, which includes deleting all of the music. I would love to have it on my computer though, so I wonder if it's possible for me to "extract" the music from my iPod and put it on my computer hard drive.
I also wonder how I should do so that iTunes doesn't update my iPod when the iTunes library is empty. That would mean that iTunes would delete all of the music from my iPod. I know that I can modify the settings so that I must update my iPod manually, but to change the settings I must connect my iPod, and if I do, the empty iTunes starts deleteing the music of the iPod. Well, you get the picture. I need to modify the settings without connecting my iPod. Or is there a way to abort the update before iTunes has begun deleting my music? Anyway, please help me!

Open iTunes and select edit/preferences/advanced/general. Put a check mark in the box marked "copy files to iTunes music folder when adding to library" and also "keep iTunes music folder organized", then click 'ok'.
Connect the iPod whilst holding down the shift/ctrl keys to prevent any auto sync, and if you see the dialogue window asking if you want to sync to this itunes library, click 'no'.
Then go to file/add folder, open 'my computer', select your iPod and click 'ok'.
The music files should transfer to your iTunes.
However it appears that no playlists or any other info such as ratings/last played etc will transfer.
If this is important to you, you may want to use other options.
There's Yamipod. This is a free program that transfers music and playlists etc from iPod to iTunes.

Can I transfer my music from the ipod to itunes?

I was having a problem with itunes so I completely deleted it and reinstalled it, thinking that I could sync music from my ipod to the itunes library. Unfortunately, the new itunes said that my ipod was synced to a different library. So if I were to sync it now all of the contents of the new library would be on the ipod. (i.e. nothing)
My question is can I transfer the music on the ipod to the itunes library instead of the other way around?
Sony Vaio Windows XP

If you are using iTunes version 7 or later, then you can transfer purchased iTunes store music from the iPod to an authorized computer by using the "file/transfer purchases from iPod" menu. Note that the maximum of 5 authorized computers applies here.
For all other non purchased music (your own CDs etc) try this method which works on some Windows PCs.
Enable your iPod for disk use.
See: iPod Disk Use.
Open iTunes and select edit/preferences/advanced/general. Put a check mark in the box marked "copy files to iTunes music folder when adding to library" and also "keep iTunes music folder organized", then click 'ok'.
Connect the iPod whilst holding down the shift/ctrl keys to prevent any auto sync, and if you see the dialogue window asking if you want to sync to this itunes library, click 'no'.
Then go to file/add folder, open 'my computer', select your iPod and click 'ok'.
The music files should transfer to your iTunes.
If this doesn't work (and it may not because officially it's not supposed to), check out the instructions/suggestions here.
Music from iPod to computer (using option 2). This a manual method using "hidden folders" and although it works, it can be messy.
Much easier ways are to use one of the many 3rd party programs that copy music from the iPod to the computer.
One of the most recommended is Yamipod. This is a free program that transfers music and playlists etc from iPod back to the computer. However, it does not transfer playcounts/ratings etc.
Another free program is Pod Player.
There is also CopyPod. This does preserve ratings/playcounts etc if those are important to you but this program is not free. It also supports video transfer.

In need of help to get music off my ipod back onto new computer

the problem i have is before i had chance to set my ipod up 2 get it ready to transfer my music to another comp the comp went caput.i have disk use enabled but now i have a new comp i cant get my music onto it as i couldnt set it up before my other comp bust. is there any way of ever getting my music back onto this new comp off my ipod.im using all updated software and stuff someone help please.

Check out the instructions/suggestions here.
Music from iPod to computer (using option 2).
There's also another method. I've successfully tested this across several different Windows PCs.
Open iTunes and select edit/preferences/advanced/general. Put a check mark in the box marked "copy files to iTunes music folder when adding to library" and also "keep iTunes music folder organized", then click 'ok'.
Connect the iPod whilst holding down the shift/ctrl keys to prevent any auto sync, and if you see the dialogue window asking if you want to sync to this itunes library, click 'no'.
Then go to file/add folder, open 'my computer', select your iPod and click 'ok'.
The music files should transfer to your iTunes.
If this doesn't work (and it may not because officially it's not supposed to), there's Yamipod. This is a free program that transfers music and playlists etc from iPod back to the computer. However, it does not transfer playcounts/ratings etc.
The above methods may depend on what version of iTunes you are running.
If none of these methods work, try CopyPod.
If you are using iTunes version 7 or later, then you can transfer purchased iTunes store music from the iPod to an authorized computer by using the "file/transfer purchases from iPod" menu. Note that the maximum of 5 authorized computers applies here.

I can't put music from my Ipod in the library

When I get my ipod I put the music from a file of my computer in the library in itunes...then I organize all the musci by artist, year,etc...and I did download all the music from library to my ipod....once I got the music in my ipod I eliminated all the music of the library because all the music already was in a file in my computer...the thing is that I want to put the music of my computer in the library of itunes because all the musci files are organized and I can't do it

Leave the music in iTunes.
I put the music from a file of my computer in the library in itunes...then I organize all the musci by artist, year,etc.
What do you mean you organized it? iTunes does all the for you.
Did you mess with the folders after you added to the iTunes library? If so, iTunes will lose track of it.
the thing is that I want to put the music of my computer in the library of itunes because all the musci files are organized
Then why did you delete all the music?

Putting my Music from my iPod to a new iTunes Library

Okay so basically I just got my computer redone and the guy that did it delete my 1000 song library... so now all the songs I got on my iPod are what is left of that Library... I do remeber reading that you can take those files and put them on your computer only question is how do I do it.... either that or was that just completely wrong and I have to download 1000 songs again... I have the 5th generation iPod that basically when they first started coming out I got one..... so I just hope I can put my library off of my iPod onto this fresh iTunes that I just downloaded...... Please help....

For iTunes version 7 or later, then you can transfer purchased iTunes store music from the iPod to an authorized computer by using the "file/transfer purchases from iPod" menu. Note that the maximum of 5 authorized computers applies here.
Find out how to do that here.
How to copy iTunes purchases from an iPod or iPhone to a computer.
For all other non purchased content (your own CDs etc) try this method which works on some Windows PCs.
Enable your iPod for disk use.
See: iPod Disk Use.
Open iTunes and select edit/preferences/advanced/general. Put a check mark in the box marked "copy files to iTunes music folder when adding to library" and also "keep iTunes music folder organized", then click 'ok'.
Connect the iPod whilst holding down the shift/ctrl keys to prevent any auto sync, and if you see the dialogue window asking if you want to sync to this itunes library, click 'no'.
Then go to file/add folder, open 'my computer', select your iPod and click 'ok'.
The music files should transfer to your iTunes.
If this doesn't work (and it may not because officially it's not supposed to), check out the instructions/suggestions here.
Music from iPod to computer (using option 2). This a manual method using "hidden folders" and although it works, it is a little more involved than other methods.
Much easier ways are to use one of the many 3rd party programs that copy music from the iPod to the computer.
One of the most recommended is Yamipod. This is a free program that transfers music from iPod back to the computer. However, it does not transfer playcounts/ratings etc.
Other free programs are Pod Player, SharePod and Floola.
If you want to recover just the structure of playlists from the iPod (and not the actual song files themselves), there's iRepo for Windows. which I understand has this feature along with all the standard features for these programs.
iPodRip also has the feature enabling you to reconstruct playlists.
There is also CopyTrans. This does preserve ratings/playcounts etc if those are important to you but this program is not free. It also supports video transfer.

Random music disappears when ipod is unmounted. help.

i have music on my ipod that is only accesable when it is attached to my computer. when i unmount the ipod the music doesn't appear in any of the menus. plug it back in to the computer and its there and can be played through i-tunes. i've installed the current update and tried a reset. it seems like a bug involving the table of contents or something.
have you heard of this or do you know what i can try to get my ipod to list and make availabe all the music currently stored on it?

i always eject my ipod and any other drive before i disconnect it.
i also shut down my computer before i do something like remove the battery.
i'm an audio engineer and i know how to use a mac and the drives i have connected to it.
the problem with my i pod seems to be with the software on it. it has the mp3's stored on it. i can locater them through various apps on my computer. they just don't appear in any menu (artist, album, genre, etc.) when the ipod is not connected to the computer. when it is connected they are available to be played from the itunes interface. i click on my ipods music menu and they are there and i can play them. this alone indicates that the files are not corrupted, have an identifiable script for their name, are organized properly by artsit, album, and so on. but after i eject the ipod they can't be accessed through the menus. like the menus on the ipod need to be updated so that they contain a path to the music on the ipod. and to be clear this is only random files. most of my music appears in the menus.
as a side note, my wife has an identical ipod and all the music on mine was also put onto hers on the same day. these files can be accessed on hers when it is not connected to the computer, once again indicating that the files are fine and that the problem is with my ipod alone.

Organizing Music. on my iPod

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for