tag:help.beatunes.com,2009-07-24:/discussions/questions/5142-libraries-itunes-and-folder-basedbeaTunes: Discussion 2017-05-17T15:46:46Ztag:help.beatunes.com,2009-07-24:Comment/422697752017-03-31T07:55:19Z2017-04-01T16:58:12ZLibraries iTunes and folder based<div><p>I'm having trouble following your train of thought here...</p>
<p>The general advice I'd like to give is the following:</p>
<p>If you are usually using iTunes, you really should use an iTunes based music collection in beaTunes. Otherwise both views on the same collection will get out of sync.</p>
<p>If you are not using iTunes in everyday life, use the folder based music library in beaTunes.</p>
<p>Cheers,</p>
<p>-hendrik</p></div>hendriktag:help.beatunes.com,2009-07-24:Comment/422697752017-03-31T13:01:17Z2017-04-01T16:58:12ZLibraries iTunes and folder based<div><p>Good Morning Hendrick,</p>
<p>I emailed that from my Iphone, let me clarify:</p>
<p>So I'm windows based. I'm trying to understand best way to manage my music libraries since I'm a collector and have 11,000 music files currently, all in Apple Lossless - they are stored on an external NAS drive - let's call that the 'original music folder'.</p>
<p>I use Itunes for a long time, however, have been hearing about alternatives like Roon, and streamers like Blue Sound etc - I am an audiophile so I strive to get the best sound out of my system.</p>
<p>I will continue to use Itunes for a while - but started thinking about portability of the Itunes library, meaning what If in 3 months I decide to use another program other than ituens - I called itunes twice yesterday, but had bad luck in getting a truly knowledgable rep on the line so they could not clarify for me, believe it or not.</p>
<p>So please let me ask you this - I rip my ever growing CD collection to the Nas Drive 'original music folder' - then I-Tunes, makes it's own copy of that folder, or not really a copy but a library (?) - and then I use itunes to edit that library, because in itunes I may see missing art work or wrong genre in perhaps 100's of songs, and so I fix them in I-tunes, which really only fixes them in the 'Itunes music folder' but it not applying those changes to the 'orginal music folder' - is this correct? I asked Itunes rep if there was a setting to tell itunes to make those changes in both itunes library and original music folder but they said no.</p>
<p>Ok, that's fine - so am I to assume that, basically, the original music folder moving forward is obsolete, as the itunes music folder is being edited and wlll be more up to date. And moving forward, I should 'back up' my itunes music library' with the changes, and start to forget about my original musis folder? Could I delete my original music folder - I think the answer is no, because itunes library isn't actually the music files - so I need to lug around both libraries moving forward - like if I get a new computer? See why I'm a bit confused.</p>
<p>To me it seems like it may make sense to not make edits in itunes - and only use music management software like Beatunes or Perfectunes by DB poweramp to edit my 'oriignal music folder' - the only thing is then, how do those edits easily get transferred into Itunes - would you be able to tell me best way to do that.</p>
<p>I hope I'm not over complicating this, but this is a lot of work I'm about to do for weeks, and don't want to make the wrong move.</p>
<p>Lastly - seems like using Beatunes and I-tunes is best idea - my question would be for back up - do I back up both itunes music folder (for all the edits) and also my original music folder - as that's where I'll be constantly adding ripped CD's I collect.</p>
<p>Thank you Hendrick!</p>
<p>alex</p></div>Alex Mendozatag:help.beatunes.com,2009-07-24:Comment/422697752017-04-01T17:08:06Z2017-04-01T17:08:06ZLibraries iTunes and folder based<div><p>Alex,</p>
<p>please understand that Apple is multi-billion dollar company and tagtraum/beaTunes is a one-man-show. Therefore I don't really provide iTunes support.</p>
<p>That said:</p>
<p>iTunes has two operating modes:</p>
<ol>
<li>Copy everything upon import to the media folder (and potentially let iTunes manage filenames etc.)<br></li>
<li>Leave files where they are and only edit tags</li>
</ol>
<p>You can choose between the two modes in the iTunes advanced preferences ("Copy files to iTunes media folder..."). What you want, I guess, is for iTunes <em>not to make its own copy</em> (option 2).</p>
<p>For as long as you still use iTunes, I'd use beaTunes in iTunes-mode. Should you ever really abandon iTunes, switch beaTunes to folder mode. If you are doing so, I'd recommend turning "Embed non-iTunes fields" in the beaTunes general preferences <strong>on</strong>. That way, all data is not only stored in the internal beaTunes database, but also in your files.</p>
<p>Cheers,</p>
<p>-hendrik</p></div>hendriktag:help.beatunes.com,2009-07-24:Comment/422697752017-04-05T04:01:05Z2017-04-05T04:01:06ZLibraries iTunes and folder based<div><p>Hi Hendrick,</p>
<p>Thank you – two things please: I cannot find ‘embed non-itunes fields’ in the beatunes general preferences – I just don’t see it – I have version 4.6.13.</p>
<p>Second – I was going to use the folder based library and use beatunes to analyze and then make my fixes and clean up my folder – once all is nice and orderly, I was going to switch to itunes based library – do you see any issue with that? Or, would it be easier for me to ‘slice and dice’ from Itunes – my motivation is to be sure I make changes to base folder, but if it’s easier to slice and dice from itnues, you say I can use OPTION 2 you describe below – is there any disadvantages to going that route and using itunes regularly?</p>
<p>Thank you, I love your software man – it’s brilliant, it’s the best stuff I’ve seen around.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>alex</p></div>Alex Mendozatag:help.beatunes.com,2009-07-24:Comment/422697752017-04-05T16:20:29Z2017-04-05T16:20:29ZLibraries iTunes and folder based<div><blockquote>
<p>I cannot find ‘embed non-itunes fields’ in the beatunes general preferences – I just don’t see it – I have version 4.6.13.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>That's only visible when you use an iTunes-based library. I guess you are using a folder-based one.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Second – I was going to use the folder based library and use beatunes to analyze and then make my fixes and clean up my folder – once all is nice and orderly, I was going to switch to itunes based library – do you see any issue with that? Or, would it be easier for me to ‘slice and dice’ from Itunes – my motivation is to be sure I make changes to base folder, but if it’s easier to slice and dice from itnues, you say I can use OPTION 2 you describe below – is there any disadvantages to going that route and using itunes regularly?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>As stated before: If you are using iTunes on a regular basis or plan on doing so, I would use an iTunes-based beaTunes library with the embed non-iTunes fields option turned on.</p></div>hendriktag:help.beatunes.com,2009-07-24:Comment/422697752017-04-05T16:23:24Z2017-04-05T16:23:25ZLibraries iTunes and folder based<div><p>Great – when switching from folder based library to itunes based libray is anything lost or work I have to do over again with iltunes or does everything transfer intact – and what about vice versa.</p>
<p>Again I really like what you’ve built, it’s a smart product!</p></div>Alex Mendozatag:help.beatunes.com,2009-07-24:Comment/422697752017-04-05T17:49:44Z2017-04-05T17:49:44ZLibraries iTunes and folder based<div><blockquote>
<p>Great – when switching from folder based library to itunes based libray is anything lost or work I have to do over again with iltunes or does everything transfer intact – and what about vice versa.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>From folder-based to iTunes-based, everything should transfer easily.</p>
<p>From iTunes-based to folder-based, it's not that easy. One needs to make sure all tags are actually embedded in the files (<em>embed non-iTunes fields</em>).</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Again I really like what you’ve built, it’s a smart product!</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Thanks!</p></div>hendriktag:help.beatunes.com,2009-07-24:Comment/422697752017-04-05T17:57:27Z2017-04-05T17:57:27ZLibraries iTunes and folder based<div><p>Hi Hendrick – just to confirm that I-Tunes-based to Folder-based – if the ‘embed non-I-Tunes fields feature is ON from the start – then there is no problem and transfer will be accurate – or are you saying that – even if you have ‘embed’ ON – one still has to make sure all tags are actually embedded in the files?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>alex</p></div>Alex Mendozatag:help.beatunes.com,2009-07-24:Comment/422697752017-04-06T04:05:18Z2017-04-06T04:05:19ZLibraries iTunes and folder based<div><p>Hendrick – wanted to make you aware of a bug – using windows 10 and your latest version – I’m re categorizing GENRE manually – so I do a search, find the album and tracks, highlight them all, then do GET INFO – I change the genre – hit OK – and like every 3 or 4 times I do this – I can’t get off that page – and only way after trying all kinds of buttons (back, cancel, library etc) – I have to restart. The changes do take. Normally after I hit OK it leaves GET INFO page, and goes to library where I can see the tracks changing genres one by one. The freez happens quite consistently, arbitrarily, but every 3 to 4 times avg.</p></div>Alex Mendozatag:help.beatunes.com,2009-07-24:Comment/422697752017-04-06T09:33:50Z2017-04-06T09:33:50ZLibraries iTunes and folder based<div><blockquote>
<p>if the ‘embed non-I-Tunes fields feature is ON from the start – then there is no problem and transfer will be accurate</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Yes. You should be fine.</p></div>hendriktag:help.beatunes.com,2009-07-24:Comment/422697752017-04-07T03:37:18Z2017-04-07T03:37:19ZLibraries iTunes and folder based<div><p>I’ve created a folder-based library that I’ve been cleaning up – but now want to switch to itunes based as you recommend – how do I do that properly please? I don’t want to mess anything up, do I have to create a new library or what? Please – thank you!</p></div>Alex Mendozatag:help.beatunes.com,2009-07-24:Comment/422697752017-04-07T14:22:15Z2017-04-07T14:22:15ZLibraries iTunes and folder based<div><blockquote>
<p>how do I do that properly please?</p>
</blockquote>
<ol>
<li>Well, first create your library in iTunes, if it does not exist yet.<br></li>
<li>Then make sure that iTunes has XML sharing turned on (see <a href="http://blog.beatunes.com/2015/09/please-share-itunes-library-xml-with.html">http://blog.beatunes.com/2015/09/please-share-itunes-library-xml-wi...</a>)<br></li>
<li>In beaTunes, create a new library (via the File menu) and choose the <code>iTunes Library.xml</code> file exported by iTunes.</li>
</ol>
<p>Voila!</p></div>hendriktag:help.beatunes.com,2009-07-24:Comment/422697752017-04-07T18:32:55Z2017-04-07T18:32:55ZLibraries iTunes and folder based<div><p>Hi Henrick – what do I do with the ‘folder based library’ I’ve made and have been working on – is it written over, do I delete it, or does it get simply converted, if not I suppose your system will need to re-anayis the new Itunes library all over again? – thanks! - alex</p></div>Alex Mendozatag:help.beatunes.com,2009-07-24:Comment/422697752017-04-07T18:37:42Z2017-04-07T18:37:42ZLibraries iTunes and folder based<div><blockquote>
<p>what do I do with the ‘folder based library’ I’ve made and have been working on – is it written over, do I delete it, or does it get simply converted,</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Just don't worry about it.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>if not I suppose your system will need to re-anayis the new Itunes library all over again? –</p>
</blockquote>
<p>All values should have been embedded into the files and those are read, when you create the library.</p></div>hendriktag:help.beatunes.com,2009-07-24:Comment/422697752017-05-17T04:25:03Z2017-05-17T14:59:51ZLibraries iTunes and folder based<div><p>Hi Hendrick – two things. #1 I sent you this email below about a bug which I still experience, did you get my email? #2 more dire – I’m noticing your product seems to be rather unstable, I tried to install your latest update, but I get an error message – so I aborted that, but then a little while later beatunes froze and I had to restart, then when I tried to open beatunes I cannot – I get an error – so what do I do now, if I reinstall do I loose work?</p>
<p>The current error says “Java virtual Machine launcher: Error: Could not open C:ProgramFiles\beatunes4\jre\lib\amd64\jvm.cfg</p>
<p>What is best way for me to proceed – I still love your product so much!!</p>
<p>alex</p>
<p>Hendrick – wanted to make you aware of a bug – using windows 10 and your latest version – I’m re categorizing GENRE manually – so I do a search, find the album and tracks, highlight them all, then do GET INFO – I change the genre – hit OK – and like every 3 or 4 times I do this – I can’t get off that page – and only way after trying all kinds of buttons (back, cancel, library etc) – I have to restart. The changes do take. Normally after I hit OK it leaves GET INFO page, and goes to library where I can see the tracks changing genres one by one. The freez happens quite consistently, arbitrarily, but every 3 to 4 times avg.</p></div>Alex Mendoza