Using iTunes to organize library

I have found several topics covering the use of iTunes "keep folders organized" options, but I can't seem to find exactly what I'm looking for.
I have an extensive library on an external hard drive ripped using different programs, therefore organized different ways. I then added the songs from my external hard drive to my library. What is my best option for having iTunes organize my overall "music" folder in the traditional iTunes organizational tree? Any help is greatly appreciated!

I've just gone through this process in the past week, so I can answer stjpwinter, although this may also answer c4noo7's question as well.
The iTunes library is dynamic, so all you need to do is highlight the relevant songs, Get Info, make changes and hit OK. iTunes will automatically move all the ACDC files into one AC/DC folder, then erase the other folders.

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Help with using itunes with 4s library after i upgraded to iPhone 5 and computer power supply went

long story hopefully an easy fix....
on wensday my power supply went and had to ship computer across country to Puget Computer Systems as we weren't sure if it was power supply or mobo...luckily it was power supply.
i daily backed up iphone 4s with itunes (10.7) as i do all music manually, playlists, etc. have like 3,000 plus songs, videos, audiobooks, mail aaccts and about 48 apps.
so next day (sept 19th) apple comes out with iOS 6 which i update my 4s to with no problem. I wanted a day to play with it to learn my way around.
next day i wait in line for 8 hours overnite and was #2 in line at apple store for my ATT 32gb white iPhone 5. while at apple store I get my icloud backup which gets all paid music,apps, etc since itunes version 10.3 (i always did both backups so as not to lose my contacts more than anything.
I have other paid stuff that is in library on computer along with audiobooks and about 2700 more songs.
my icloud backup put the playlists on iPhone but not most of the music for them as lots were ripped from my cd's.as i double them up making a copy on iPhone and a copy on itunes.
So I have been using iPhone 5 with no problems just don't have all of itunes library on it. My computer is coming back this week how do I plug in iPhone 5 via USB (which will be seen as new phone even though it has same name) and use my existing iTunes 10.7 library which the backups in iTunes still has iOS 5.1.1 on it?
There must be an easy way of doing it as i don't want to wipe off iphone 5 again as i don't see any purpose my library is all organized perfectly. I know my way around windows 7 pro 64 bit pretty well just don't know what itunes is going to say once it sees "joe's iPhone" again and installs the usb drivers and icon for it. what will it ask in regards to library and how do i use it with previous iOS on it?
Thank you very much for the help as I am going to need it.
yes i broke the cardinal rule of cross posting and apoligize for it just amazed i couldn't find answer via google nor any apple store genius knew it either.

Hi All,
Any help?
No one has any answers here amoungst all this apple knowledge?
Thank you

How can I use iTunes when my library is somewhere else?

Sounds like a dumb question, I know. But here it goes.
I just put my whole iTunes library on an external FW drive and symlinked to it in my music folder.
I love having the extra space on my PowerBook, and I rarely listen to music on my PB when I'm away from my desk.
One problem, though. If I try to listen to an MP3 feed (Shoutcast) without my FW drive, iTunes launches, but it won't continue because it can't find the library.
So is there any solution to this? I guess I'd have to use QuickTime Player for those streams when I don't have my library attached?
Thanks for any ideas or solutions.

Hmm - OK. Thanks. I've tried but can't figure out how. If you have any descriptions of how to do this, please send. Or, am I over-thinking it? It's not working for me.
Thanks again!!

Can I use iTune to serve Midi music to a Midi device?

I have been using Quicktime player to send MIDI music to my digital piano. The problem is that I don't know how to set up a playlist on Quicktime. QT may not have such feature or perhaps I can switch to Microsoft's media player to use the playlist. IIRC, MP supports playlist.
I notice that iTune can take my MIDI files and it can playback the song via the computer speakers. It would be ideal to use iTune to organize my MIDI collection, only if I can use iTune to send the MIDI output to my digital piano.
Quicktime has a preference setting to pick the device for MIDI output. Does iTune has the same settings? I failed to find it.
I can play the MIDI to the digital piano, but no playlist.
I can play the MIDI using iTune playlist, but no piano.
I want both.
How do I solve this problem?

iTunes Match is not a backup service: FAQ: Why iTunes Match can NOT be used as a backup!
If you want to move personal data, in this case music, from an old computer to a new computer use the methods in this Apple KB article: <http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US>.
Also, before selling the old computer you need to erase the HDD and put the original OS back on it, that came with the computer. Be sure you have all your personal data backed up and transfered to the new computer before doing this.

I am trying to backup my Itunes onto my external hard drive. I am at the step where I on Itunes, click on File - Library - Organize library. I am suppose to check mark both boxes there, It won't allow me to check mark the second box, why? How to fix this.

I am trying to backup my Itunes onto my external hard drive. I am at the step where I on Itunes, click on File ->Library ->Organize library. I am suppose to check mark both boxes there, the first being "Consolidate Files" & the second being "Reorganize files in the folder 'Itunes Media'. I am able to checkmark the first box but It won't allow me to check mark the second box, why? How can i fix this? Please help!

Well you must have made a mistake somewhere. The last instruction of step four reads:
When you've found your iTunes library folder, drag that folder to your external hard drive. This will begin the iTunes backup. The amount of time the backup will take depends on the size of your library. When the transfer is done, your backup is complete and your external hard drive can be disconnected.
Normally dragging content from to a new location on a different drive will result in a copy action which is what you were supposed to do. At a guess you somehow managed to move the iTunes folder. Then when you started iTunes it created a new blank library for you assuming it had just been installed rather that raising a warning.
Close iTunes. Rename the iTunes folder on the internal drive as iTunes (Empty) then copy the iTunes folder from the external back into the User's Music folder. Start iTunes. All should be well.
When you've made sure it all works please read my User Tip and use that method to backup in future. Since you already have a folder with the backup in place you can skip the "Make New" operation in the fourth step and simply choose the external folder.
tt2

When doing a second "Organize Library" cuz the first was too big, will iTunes recognize what's already copied over?

I'm stuck with a large folder of music on my PC in My Music folder. And I used "Organize Library" in iTunes but it didn't copy everything over because the amount of music was too big. I've deleted the original copies of music outside of iTunes to open up more space and was wondering if I do a second "Organize Library" if it will recognize that some of the music has already been copied over.

I don't know what "restore the iPod" is
It's usually the second thing to do (after Reset) when the iPod is not working correctly.
Select the iPod in iTunes and click Restore.
See this -> Restoring iPod to factory settings
what about my main question? Can I go back to "sync all" but manually block certain albums?
No because sync all is just that.
Sycning specific playlists should work fine. And you can create more than one and sync which ones you want.

I store my itunes library on an external drive shared between 2 computers and itunes on computer A isn't seeing or showing the songs I added using itunes on computer B.

I store my itunes library on an external drive shared between 2 computers and itunes on computer A isn't seeing or showing the songs I added using itunes on computer B. How to fix this?

I don't know if this is me adding files to iTunes when the external wasn't connected
it is.
is it OK to just keep deleting that library on the Air?
i wouldn't - at least not until i
mount the external
point iTunes media folder location back to the external via preferences > advanced
consolidate my library via file > library > organize library
The ntfs hasn't seem to be causing any problems, but I've always wanted to know.
in order for your Mac to write to NTFS drives, it needs some help by installing e.g. the NTFS 3G driver. apparently that or something similar is installed on your Mac already. preferably, it would be formatted for Mac but then windows machines would need to have e.g. MacDrive installed to recognize the drive.

I have a large library that I ripped in AIFF using iTunes. I converted to Mp3 to save drive space, keeping the originals. I have a new computer and want to revert to my original files. iTunes sees the library but is looking for Mp3 files. Suggestions?

I have a large library that I ripped in AIFF using iTunes. I converted to Mp3 to save drive space, keeping the originals. I have a new computer and want to revert to my original files. iTunes sees the library but is looking for Mp3 files. Suggestions?

You're welcome.
For tips on logical organization within iTunes see my article on Grouping Tracks Into Albums.
tt2

Loading a simple mp3 library to an iPhone 4 using iTunes???

When I load a simple mp3 library to iPhone4 (artist/album/songs folders) using iTunes, it gets loaded in no order or organization like my folder structure. Is this asking too much?

It is not the order in which they are loaded, but when they get to the iPhone4, I cannot browse the songs by artist or album, they are just all together in a big lump with my "folder" order (artist, album, song text names, as folder names) totally lost. The list of Artists shows but 3 (there are dozens), presumably due to imbedded mp3 info in those source folders? The Songs list is just a list of all songs by track name so all the 01's come first, etc. I would like iTunes to simply take my folders structure ( Artist folder, Album folder, Song file) and arrange the iPhone4 list like that. I build my mp3 library from my master .wav file library which is simply ordered by Artist folders with Album folders within, and of course the song (.wav) files in each album folder...simple, straightforward, and organized. I seem to remember that Windows Media Player does not think this is a proper library structure either. What a pain.

Using iTunes library from an external drive over wifi

Hello Community Peeps!
I'm looking for some advice and hope someone has the same setup that I'm hoping to make.
I currently have an iMac and recently had to replace the screen. As the machine is now out of warranty I'm thinking to sell it on before I get any further problems. I Currently have all my work and entire iTunes library stored on an external drive connected via usb to the iMac.
As a graphic designer i need to be fairly mobile and am thinking about changing my setup to this, so that when i'm in one location I can use a bigger screen and when I need to be out and mobile I can just take my MBP out with me and get by designing on that screen.
I am thinking of getting purchasing;
• The most powerful 15" MBP latest I can afford (probably with 2GB graphics).
• Separate 27" display to connect the MBP to when I am in one location.
• Airport base station (not time capsule) to connect my external drive to via USB to make it a wifi drive.
I already have Apple TV but have been told that in order to have my Apple TV access my iTunes library (on the external hard drive connected to the base station) over wifi I will need the MBP switched on and iTunes open. Thats no problem as long as I can do it over wifi.
I will be using the latest OSX and latest iTunes.
I have no since been told by a friend that iTunes has glitches in it and will be unreiable inaccessing my library on the hard drive over wifi.
So my question is, does anyone else have this kind of setup and what is their experience on itunes accessing it's library stored on what is effectively a wifi drive.
And advice gratefully received!
Thanks

That won't get your your "library". Your library, in essence, is (was?) a file called library.itl in your iTunes folder. This is a database with a listing of which media files you have and where they are, long with playlists, ratings, and a bunch of other things (which artwork goes with which album). If all you have on the external drive are the media files then when your old computer died it took the library.itl file with it.
What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660
More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management
What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html
iTunes 9 [and later]: Understanding iTunes Media Organization - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3847
Image of iTunes folder structure Dec. 2011 - https://discussions.apple.com/message/16923545
see also:
Image of folder structure and explanation of different iTunes versions (turingtest2 post) - https://discussions.apple.com/message/13025536 and https://discussions.apple.com/message/17457605
If you want your full library listing back then you will have to recover it from your bakup drive (which is why you have it). Alternatively you can create a brand new library file, add the media to it, and start new.

HT4436 I have now downloaded all of my CD's to my itunes library and have since only purchased new music using itunes Store. This itunes library is stored on an old Dell Desktop that I am getting ready to replace with an iMac; how can I move the music? 8

I have now downloaded all of my CD's to my itunes library and have since only purchased new music using itunes Store. This itunes library is stored on an old Dell Desktop that I am getting ready to replace with an iMac; how can I move the music? 86GB
Is the music I downloaded from my CD's already in the iCloud or only the music I purchased on itunes?

This might help: http://www.macworld.com/article/1146958/move_itunes_windows_mac.html.

HT201210 I'm trying to update my iOS to 6.0, using iTunes (with my 4s connected via USB and WiFi is on also). I get a message that 'there are purchased items on my iPhone that have not been transferred to my iTunes library. Yet, I can't find those items!

I'm trying to update my iOS to 6.0, using iTunes (with my 4s connected via USB and WiFi is on also). I get a message that 'there are purchased items on my iPhone that have not been transferred to my iTunes library. Yet, I can't find those items! Help! There is not error message number just the text message. I've searched for an answer but have found nothing on "transfering items purchased to your iTunes library".

Right click on your device icon on the left pane of iTunes and click on transfer pur....

The computer I originally started using iTunes on a few years ago is no longer functional. How do I make the same library appear on my new computer with the newest iTunes?

The computer I originally started using iTunes on a few years ago is no longer usable, but for some reason some of the songs I have now are not showing up in my library on the new laptop I just bought. How do I consolidate the total songs on my iPhone to include them all in a new library on my iTunes in this new laptop? And why isn't this new laptop letting me update to ios 6 without deleting everything on my phone?

Your music will ONLY be where you put it.
It will not magically appear anywhere.
You buy one and only one download. it is your responsibility to move/copy/backup your music.
You need to copy everything from your old computer, or your backup copy of your old computer, to your new one.
Leaving your e-mail address on a public forum may not be wise.

HT4914 Can I use iTunes match to share my iTunes library across different users on the same computer?

I'm a teacher and I use my MBP in school and, while I've not had any issues with students looking through my computer, I'd like to use a seperate 'school' user just in case. I need to have access to my iTunes library and I tried moving it to a shared folder but, possibly because of the size of my library, itdoesn't seem to work. Is there a way I can use iTunes match to enable my 'school' user to access my library in the same way I can with my iPhone?

Hey darkmavis86,
Great question, and welcome to Apple Support Communities.
I believe you would benefit from the following article:
iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203
However, if you do decide to use iTunes Match the answer to your question is "Yes". iTunes Match can be used to "sync" your iTunes library across multiple devices / computers / users.
Thanks,
Matt M.

I have my iTunes Library on and external hard drive. I have a new computer and want to use iTunes and KEEP my files on the external drive.

My iTunes library is on an external hard drive, and I was able to access / add to the library from my windows laptop.
I now have a new laptop, and want to be able to KEEP the library on the external drive while being able to use iTunes from the new laptop.
I have selected "choose library" in iTunes, and have chosen the iTunes Library.itl file on the external drive.
My media populates in iTunes on the new laptop version of iTunes, but when I click on a song iTunes says that it cannot locate the song.
Your help is kindly appreciated!

Thanks. Were the settings shown in your last screenshot in force when you added the song that's shown on being on the C: drive? It is also possible that at some point you ran iTunes with the external drive disconnected, in which case it will have defaulted to the library on the C: drive, or that you've run iTunes without explicitly selecting the library on the E: drive. To make sure the latter is the case, hold down SHIFT while starting iTunes, then when you get this prompt:
click on Choose Library..., navigate to the location of your current iTunes Library.itl file, and click Open.
Part of your issue may that its not obvious where that current database file is located. The folder layout on your E: drive isn't the one that's most easily managed - so its possible that the database file could be in:
E:\xxxx\Files\iTunes
E:\xxxx\Files\iTunes\iTunes
E:\xxxx\Files\iTunes\iTunes 1
I suggest that a lot of your issues can be addressed by reshaping your library into the reliable "portable" layout as described in tt2's Make a split library portable user tip. Comparing your screenshot with the equivalent on my system (where I have a "well-formed" library on an external drive):
where:
there is just one iTunes folder with everything used by iTunes inside it
all media is held within subfolders of the iTunes Media folder
The way you have yours set up, where the iTunes Media Folder location is set to E:\xxxx\Files\iTunes rather than E:\xxxx\Files\iTunes\iTunes Media is probably why some of your media is not being located correctly - the extent to which iTunes can correctly resolve locations is, to an extent, reliant on the folders for the different media kinds (Music, Audiobooks, etc.) being inside the iTunes Media media folder. One common misunderstanding (not helped at all by Apple's documentation!) is that the iTunes Media Folder location setting in Edit > Preferences > Advanced does not tell iTunes where to find anything; rather it determines where iTunes will put new additions to your Library, in conjunction with the Copy files to iTunes Media folder ... flag:
I would definitely take the time to work through the steps to bring your library into the "portable" shape - there may be few remaining issues with broken links when that's complete but this will be much easier to fix if your library is in a more standard structure.

Using iTunes to organize library

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