Now Ive got it going...a few questions

hehe, you're making me feel bad Randy. I've got to get on the stick an update that help guide.

Bottom line, it's old. :) I need to update it.

MC9 will automatically save your changes after you make them in the Tag Info section (the Action Window as you correctly point out). But...if you are getting an error that it couldn't save the changes, that's not good. What that means is that somehow you moved files outside of MC9, so MC9 has lost track of where the files are.

What I recommend is this:

Click on File>Library>Update Library. On the dialog that comes up, make check the box that says "remove files which do not exist". Don't worry, this doesn't delete files, it just deletes entries in the MC9 database that are no longer valid.

Once you've done that, re-import from your music directory (where you keep your tunes) to make sure everything you have is in MC9.

Then, as a rule, never move tunes outside of MC9, use the Rename Files from Properties feature.

Hope that helps.

Adam

Actually, the distortion is caused by the rip. It must be a scratched up CD or something? What you want to try is Digital Secure ripping. Check out Chris' sticky Configuring MC9 for LAME Encoding (http://ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8360). This is IMO opinion (and most folks I think) the best way to configure MC9 for ripping.

Yup, it'll take a lot longer to rip, but you'll get better quality rips. Hopefully that problematic one will be OK as well.

Adam

OK, I believe that post answered all my questions. I did rip the same CD but with no improvement. There are very many real loud passages on that CD and of all the devices I play it on, only on the iPod does it distort. Should I go full on with the kbps setting?

I did normalize at 90% which is supposed to even out the volume. Do you use that? Should I rip all my CD's using that so that all songs on the iPod are at the same volume setting?

Randy

I've got the Evanescence album on my iPod, through MC9, without any problems. Ripped using VBR Custom --alt-preset standard.

You don't have to rerip the normalized tracks--it shouldn't matter; check the quality of them--if they're ok, I wouldn't bother. But I wouldn't normalize when you rip anymore--just use the replay gain.

If you rip in MC9, you don't need to analyze audio. You only need to analyze tracks ripped outside of MC9; those ripped by MC9 are automatically analyzed. To find out which tracks need analysis, go into "automsmartlists--music" and pick the smartlist "Tasks--needs audio analysis". Then right click on a song, choose edit, select all, tools, audio analysis...

You want to set the gain to +12 because MC9 has a tendency to lower the volume on your tracks when it adjusts the loudness--the result is they all play at the same volume, but a little softer than you'd like. By adjusting the gain to +12, it increases the loudness of all the songs, while maintaining the equalized volume. You don't have to use the +12 adjustment, but you might have problems with your songs not being loud enough, even at full volume...

I only rip with one CD drive--you'll have to check the setting of the other CD drive, you might need to change them as well (in fact you probably will...).

I leave mine at max. I think you only need to change it if the Digital Secure report that you get at the end reports problems. You might only get that report if there are problems. It's been a while since I ripped.

I like to not rip and encode simultaneously. Why? Well, because when you do it at the same time, you'll notice that the CD is spinning during the entire rip/encode process. I like to get the rip done, let the CD sit while encoding is going on. Just me. ;)

Adam

Good, I guessed correctly on the rip/encode question.

Randy

Ok, which version of MC9 are you on? The analysis was a bit buggy on some of the earlier builds..

When you are doing your tags, make sure you aren't doing them in the ipod view--that's the only thing I can think of, why you might be having problems. Oh, and also if you're using an earlier build; some of the tagging was a bit buggy on some of the earlier builds as well..

Yup, sure can Randy. .260 is the latest, but you're going to want to upgrad to .261 tomorrow (Monday), a number of bugs should be fixed in that build. At least that's what Steve said on Friday.

Adam

Guys, anybody having trouble downloading .262 or .261? I am trying to download either with no success. I mean I only get connected but cannot get logged on to the system to start the download.

I though I'd ask you guys that may have tried as well.

Randy

Originally posted by ashawley
I had no problem last night when I did it. Haven't tried today...



Hope it works for you today, provided you get the opportunity to try...:D

The saga continues. Have .262 downloaded. I can transfer songs but when a transfer a group, it works OK. If I attempt to add more, the "transfer" button stays grayed out so I have to shut down MC, re-open and then I can add more songs.

Again, any ideas? Also, who else has had anywhere near the problems with this than I have? Am I completely stupid? Wait, don't answer that.

Randy

Chris,

Would you mind briefly explaining how to sync. All the help info I have only describes the transfer process using the right click/send to or drag and drop to the handheld.

Randy

The easier way to sync now Chris is to just click on the iPod toolbar icon. ;)

'Course it helps to list the more complicated ways first.

I'll get that sticky put together... :D

Adam

Originally posted by dmt1
Oh boy, we gotta fix that...Adam, where is that sticky you keep promising me?

First of all, download the latest version of MC9: Use this link for build 264:

Just install it over top:

ftp://ftp.jriver.com/pub/downloads/music/MediaCenter91264.exe

Before doing anything else, just to avoid any potential problems, I'd recommend restoring with the ipod updater, then do the initialize for MC9 by opening "CD, DVD and Handhelds" and right clicking on the ipod drive(it may prompt you to do this).

Go into library, choose update library, and make sure delete files that do not exist is checked. This will make sure everthing is ok here.

Now, make sure you have a smartlist with all your mp3's on it. Create a smartlist, title it "All mp3", only rule you need for this smartlist is "Filetype--mp3".

Ok, open up "Cd, DVD and Handhelds", then right click on the ipod drive: you'll get a screen with synchronize as one of the options. Chose it. Now find your smartlist you created on the synch screen and make sure it's checked (you'll have to click on the box; it will be empty by default). At the bottom of the screen, click on "Ok" (Do NOT click on select all--it will check all the playlists, and create problems). This should do it for you.

It will synch about one song per second, BUT, once all your tunes are on there, the next time you synch, it will go blazingly fast--it will only slow down to add any new songs you've added to your library, and skip over the ones already there.

I know these are a lot of steps, but if you can get through them all, not only will you be able to synch, but you'll be able to troubleshoot as well--and then you can make a post like this for the next person...:)

OK, I reinstalled the updater from the Apple site and have performed the Restore. I have downloaded .264 and installed it.

Now the iPod is frozen in disk mode and will not even turn off. I have searched to find what disk mode means with no luck. MC doesn't recognize the iPod so once again, I'm stuck.

Randy

Yes, it is a powered firewire card that has been working just fine.

Trying the Restore several times but when I disconnect for the firmware reflash, the iPod is stuck with the checkmark showing disk mode. Holding the iPod to my ear and I hear a faint static type buzzing inside the unit.

Is this thing toast? It sure has caused me a ton of grief to this point. Ten times the hassle I thought it would be and I'm usually fairly decent figuring these things out.

Should I attempt to start from scratch with installing the software or are we talking calling Apple for warranty issues.

Oh, and I did the reset and got the apple logo, followed by a folder icon with a triangle and "i" symbol. Not sure what that means. Betting it's not good.

Randy

Already tried the quick format through Explorer.

No problems transferring music before using MMJB nor MC other that "user" issues. This all happened during the time I was learning to edit tags, analyze audio and apply replay gain.

Are there any other ideas or is this thing toast?

This is a huge bummer. What can I expect with Apple and their service? How does one start with a warranty repair? Can I call someone live to discuss this problem?

Randy

OK, the latest.

Called Apple Tech support. No wait, after all the prompts, btw. When I described the Updater problem they knew right away I had the wrong Updater version. User error, ouch!

I now have the correct Updater and have restored the iPod. Still have these issues:

Once I load some songs, MC will not let me load more (transfer button grayed out). I have to close and re-open MC to load more. I will post soon on Jrivers forum.

Distortion on some songs still (add POD/Alive to the several Evanescence songs I have that problem with).

I have performed to a "T" all the analyzing and replay gain steps and still seem to have quite a bit of variation between songs.

I'm going to play around with it a bit more and if I continue to have these little problems, I doing one of two things. Download an earlier, more stable version of MC and see how it goes (I'm assuming of course there are people actually using some version without problems) or I will go back to MMJB so I can consistently get my music on my iPod, which is after all, why I have the thing in the first place.

Thanks again for so much help. I'd have skimmed this thing across a lake long before now if it weren't for you guys.

Randy

I am just now coming back to the iPod. I had to get away from this thing as it was driving me crazy.

Now that I'm back and read your last post, I find myself quite lost in some of what you are saying.

I have all my songs on the iPod with +12 dB replay gain applied. What I'm having trouble with now it getting a song on the iPod without the replay gain so that I have the same song on the iPod twice. One with and one without replay gain. I have tried over and over with no success. Apparently I am doing something wrong.

"To remove replay gain, uncheck the Apply Replay Gain option and Resync (again, making sure that Update Tags is checked)."

This is what I've tried but cannot seem to get it to work without overwriting the existing song at +12 dB. Also, I have forgotten where the "Update Tags" check box is located. I've looked in the help files with no success.

One more stupid question before I go. If you have a song on the iPod at opposite ends of the replay gain spectrum, how do you sort it in the Media Library when the two songs are on the iPod? Also, I cannot find how to actually sort by replay gain anyway.

Maybe it is me but this is all completely bewildering. I do not have time to sit for hours upon hours working on my iPod just to get songs on it that do not distort.

Seriously, why would you recommend that I not go back to MMJB if I can actually get songs on the iPod that do not exhibit distortion but with MC they do?

BTW, three days left on the MC trial period and it ain't looking good for the MC folks that I'll actually buy. Thanks again for all your help.

What is the market like for slightly used, 15gb iPods.

:eek:

Signed, one completely frustrated Apple customer.

Adam,

After sorting by replay gain, all the files I've loaded on the iPod show negative numbers for replay gain in the Media Center folder of MC. None that I've seen have a positive number. If I understand it correctly, one applies 12db increase during transfer to the iPod to correct for volume loss during audio analysis or the ripping process. Am I close on this?

I have taken some songs and re-transferred to the iPod with replay gain unchecked and are virtually identical as to distortion at the higher volume passages of many, many songs. Particularly POD, Linkin Park, Evanescence, etc. I can tell you that it ain't me. This thing sounds horrible!! It's just like one tries to turn up the volume on some cheap speakers during loud passages.

Is it possible I have either a faulty iPod or a faulty firewire card?

Finally, can you tell me how to sync or direct me to the proper help file to read up on? I have searched your tutorial and the help file of MC but cannot find anything on how to sync. Something I've missed somehow. (UH, found it I think. Right click I drive and select "Synchronize".)

I shall overcome, eventually!!

Randy

Randy:

For a good syncing thread, check the Sticky at the top by Phil Lee on how he organizes his smartlists.

It's a good tip.

You don't have to right-click the iPod anymore, just click on the iPod toolbar icon to get the sync dialog.

Also, it's easiest to make one smartlist for all your tunes. Just create a new smartlist (right-click Playlists, select "New Smartlist"), then, in the window at the top that looks like the search window, click on the little down arrow. Select Add Rule>Advanced>File Type and check off MP3.

Sync this list. You can then sync any other smartlists you want to make too.

Adam

Late last night, MC stopped recognizing my iPod. Well, actually it shows up in the "tree" on the right but when I click on it, a dialog box pops up with the red outlines "X" and is entitled just: "h." and will not show the iPod contents.

I have one more day on the trial. What could that be? Hints to correct?

Randy

To be honest, you might have better luck w/iTunes. It has fewer features but is more "vanilla" than MC9 and might suit you better. You basicially just connect it and it does it's things. Just a thought.
Ouch!!;) :eek: :cool: Is that French for "Hey Randy, your clueless!!" LOL!! :D

To be honest, it is very difficult to devote the time I need to the iPod with such a busy life. If iTunes will rip, allow tagging, some form of volume levelling and sync well, that's all I need really. I had also thought I'd try Ephpod and use the lame encoder for ripping. I will probably go to that forum tonight all poke around a bit.

As always, thanks for the help. I will have to do the Updater because the right clicking doesn't work.

BTW, is it possible that some of this is caused by a bad or suspect firewire card?

Randy

No, no, no...Adam, I was just joking with that clueless comment. I took it exactly the way you ment it, really. LOL was meant to be Lots of Laughs!!

I actually now have MC working somehow but all the tunes have been erased from the iPod. Not sure how that happened but no biggie.

Is iTunes a better way to go as compared to Ephpod?

Have a good weekend,

Randy

Adam, my final MC9 post. I have removed it (thankfully before paying for it, maybe someday the developers will get it right ;)!!) after some very wierd things going on.

I have downloaded iTunes and now have all my songs loaded back on the iPod and even though it's been only one day, believe I will like iTunes very much.

Randy