Random Smart Playlist not so random
Even more curiously, if I go back to a 'Random' selection in the smart playlist popup, the smart playlist stays the same.
Others finding this? Are there workarounds?
[647 byte] By [pedant] at [2007-11-9 12:58:07] 
I am using a large smart playlists in iTunes which is supposed to select the least regularly played. Interestingly, this does not mean a random set of the least regularly played but the songs by the artists towards the end of the alphabet which songs are least regularly played ie if there are 1000 songs that have never been played and I have a smart playlist of 100, then the songs will all be from Wings, Yes and ZZ Top (not that I have any ZZ Top).
Even more curiously, if I go back to a 'Random' selection in the smart playlist popup, the smart playlist stays the same.
Others finding this? Are there workarounds?
# 1 Re: Random Smart Playlist not so random
Do you check the select at random checkbox when you make the Smart Playlist?eustacescrubb at 2007-11-15 16:47:43 >
# 2 Re: Random Smart Playlist not so random
Where do I find this 'Random' checkbox? There is a 'Limit to" checkbox which I do select. And a 'Random' menu item in the pop-up which I also select.What am I missing?
pedant at 2007-11-15 16:48:44 >
# 3 Re: Random Smart Playlist not so random
It was the "Limit to" checkbox I was thinking of.eustacescrubb at 2007-11-15 16:49:54 >
# 4 Re: Random Smart Playlist not so random
Try re-randomizing the playlist by command-clicking the shuffle button several times. I am usually delighted with the results.Doug Adams at 2007-11-15 16:50:48 >
# 5 Re: Random Smart Playlist not so random
Doug, I must be missing something. Command-clicking (even several times) on the shuffle button does not seem to do anything to the list.Even if I create a test smart playlist of 10 'random' songs (say with Artist containing 'The', they tend to be from the same artist and the same album.
pedant at 2007-11-15 16:51:47 >
# 6 Re: Random Smart Playlist not so random
Command-clicking (even several times) on the shuffle button does not seem to do anything to the list. My mistake:rolleyes:
Should be OPTION-click! Sorry about that.
Doug Adams at 2007-11-15 16:52:50 >
# 7 Re: Random Smart Playlist not so random
Doug, this rerandomises the order but does not rerandomise the selection.Try this: have a playlist of say 2 songs where time is less than 30 seconds. If you select by random (or album or track etc), when that playlist finishes it does not rerandomise the selection.
If you have it selected by least recently played it does cycle through the tracks, but not in a random order!
The reason I care is that I have a large music collection (48,000 songs!) and want to have a nice random selection cycling through my ipod. I am happy to use least recently played, but then they all end up being artists at the end of the alphabet (T through Z). The least recently played or many of the other random options are not really random!
pedant at 2007-11-15 16:53:54 >
# 8 Re: Random Smart Playlist not so random
Okay, I think I have this kinda figured out. A smart playlist will only be random if random is selected in the "limit to/selected by" field. Otherwise, it will be selected by Artist. This appears to be the "default" sort in itunes. To illustrate this, go to your library and sort by "My Rating". Your 5 star songs are listed first (obviously) and they are sorted by artist, then your 4 star songs (also sorted by artist) and so on. Now, make a smart playlist, uncheck the "match the following condition" box and select "limit to 25 songs selected by highest rating" The playlist will contain your first 25 5 star songs by artist (if you don't have 25 5 star songs, then you will see all of you 5 star songs and your 4 star songs with artists at the top of the alphabet).I think that kinda explains what's happening, but I could be wrong, or maybe you already knew all of that.
Anyway, for a solution. Under "match the following condition:" put playcount is less than 5, or whatever number you deem appropriate. Then "Limit to however many songs/gigs/hours you want selected by random. This should give you at least something close to what you are looking for.
ipodtodd at 2007-11-15 16:54:57 >
# 9 Re: Random Smart Playlist not so random
Thanks for a great answer.You are right in satingthat thte other 'selected by' are not random, but nor is the random option really. If not a bug, this is an inadequacy.
But using the 'Playcount is less than' option rather than least often played is a clever solution.
Thanks muchly.
pedant at 2007-11-15 16:55:55 >
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