ITunes help/question

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Scarlet_Buckeye's avatar

Scarlet_Buckeye

Senior Member

5,264 posts
Feb 12, 2013 12:08 AM
I know its possible to scan your computer for music files, but Is there a way to scan a folder (including all its sub-folders) for new music? Meaning, I already have several music files added to my iTunes library, but I want to add several more files that I know are in my "music folder" on my external hard drive, but I don't want to add the music I already have in that library, nor do I want to add EVERY music file in that music folder. Rather, I want to scan and identify all music files not already uploaded to my iTunes library, and then be able to determine which of those "new" files I want to upload.

Any ideas?
Feb 12, 2013 12:08am
I

I Wear Pants

Senior Member

16,223 posts
Feb 12, 2013 12:17 AM
Use a better media library software.
Feb 12, 2013 12:17am
Scarlet_Buckeye's avatar

Scarlet_Buckeye

Senior Member

5,264 posts
Feb 12, 2013 12:20 AM
I Wear Pants;1387295 wrote:Use a better media library software.
Noted.

Now back to my original question, please.
Feb 12, 2013 12:20am
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

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16,754 posts
Feb 12, 2013 12:30 AM
Could you just sort your external hard drive files by "date added", find the new files that you've added onto the drive, move them to another folder, then have iTunes scan that folder? Some extra steps I'm sure, but I don't know of any other way.
Feb 12, 2013 12:30am
Scarlet_Buckeye's avatar

Scarlet_Buckeye

Senior Member

5,264 posts
Feb 12, 2013 12:36 AM
GoChiefs;1387298 wrote:Could you just sort your external hard drive files by "date added", find the new files that you've added onto the drive, move them to another folder, then have iTunes scan that folder? Some extra steps I'm sure, but I don't know of any other way.
I like what you're thinking. This might be the best way to go. The only question is... How do I do that when I have files under, say, Artist_A, and files under Artist_Z and all throughout. If I can somehow do a "find all files for date-range" then yeah, sure, I'm good. Not sure if that's possible tho (off the top of my head).
Feb 12, 2013 12:36am
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

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16,754 posts
Feb 12, 2013 12:47 AM
Scarlet_Buckeye;1387299 wrote:I like what you're thinking. This might be the best way to go. The only question is... How do I do that when I have files under, say, Artist_A, and files under Artist_Z and all throughout. If I can somehow do a "find all files for date-range" then yeah, sure, I'm good. Not sure if that's possible tho (off the top of my head).
I'm on Windowns 7...so with it...you just go into your hard drive where all the files are stored, Right click, and scroll down to "sort by", and it will list several options. "Date" isn't a default category I believe, so click on "more", and it will let you select more options. Check the box that says "date", and click OK. Then go back, right click, "sort" again, and click on "date". It should then sort all the files to the date that you added them onto the hard drive.
Feb 12, 2013 12:47am
Automatik's avatar

Automatik

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14,632 posts
Feb 12, 2013 7:46 AM
If it's not ton of files why not just drag & drop into iTunes?
Feb 12, 2013 7:46am
M

MontyBrunswick

Feb 12, 2013 8:54 AM
Scarlet_Buckeye;1387287 wrote: Is there a way to scan a folder (including all its sub-folders) for new music??
No. iTunes does not have that capability.

/thread

I know for a fact Winamp, Windows Media Player and several other music players DO have that feature, but Apple is not known for being keen on useful features. I'm sure they'll implement it sooner or later and they'll tout it as "revolutionary".
Feb 12, 2013 8:54am
Automatik's avatar

Automatik

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14,632 posts
Feb 12, 2013 9:29 AM
File > Add to library > *select folder*

Should work.
Feb 12, 2013 9:29am
Scarlet_Buckeye's avatar

Scarlet_Buckeye

Senior Member

5,264 posts
Feb 12, 2013 10:03 AM
Automatik;1387411 wrote:File > Add to library > *select folder*

Should work.
But will that look in all sub-folders? Because I know what folder they're in, but I don't know what sub-folder they're in.
Feb 12, 2013 10:03am
M

MontyBrunswick

Feb 12, 2013 10:43 AM
Scarlet_Buckeye;1387438 wrote:But will that look in all sub-folders? Because I know what folder they're in, but I don't know what sub-folder they're in.
yes. You run the risk of getting duplicates, though.
Feb 12, 2013 10:43am
Automatik's avatar

Automatik

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14,632 posts
Feb 12, 2013 11:01 AM
Scarlet_Buckeye;1387438 wrote:But will that look in all sub-folders? Because I know what folder they're in, but I don't know what sub-folder they're in.
It should. How many files are we talking about here?
Feb 12, 2013 11:01am
Scarlet_Buckeye's avatar

Scarlet_Buckeye

Senior Member

5,264 posts
Feb 12, 2013 11:44 AM
Automatik;1387489 wrote:It should. How many files are we talking about here?
I'm trying to add about 30-50 files, but I'm scanning probably about 7 GB of music.
Feb 12, 2013 11:44am