Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
iTunes will automatically make a playlist that fits the Mini, but I propose a more advanced--but low-effort--method for providing access to a collection larger than the Mini's 4GB. The key is that in iTunes Preferences you can choose MUTLIPLE playlists to auto-synch, while excluding others. I don't yet have an iPod, just a lot of experience playing with Smart Playlists--so if anyone tries this, give me feedback :) (Scroll to my next post to see a quick-and-simple method for this.)
Make the following playlists for iTunes to auto-synch (and for each, you might wish to exclude songs by filetype as described (http://www.macworld.com/weblogs/mac911/archives/2004/02/000080.php) in MacWorld):
1. A Smart Playlist of favorites--by rating ideally, or by most-played. Set a threshold that fills, say, about half the Mini. (If you already have one or more non-Smart lists, that would work too.) Goal: to make sure you'll have the songs you'll manually seek and most enjoy.
2. A Smart Playlist (of enough MB to nearly fill the rest) of LEAST-RECENTLY PLAYED songs. (Exclude lowest-rated if you wish.) Every time you auto-synch, songs that have been played--on your PC/Mac OR on your iPod(s)--will be dumped automatically and replaced with new--so that eventually ALL your music gets shuffled through. And as you random-play your library, you can only hear so many songs anyway before you next synch--so you won't even know the others aren't there. And eventually they will be! (This is a fun playlist even without an iPod--I'm hearing music I'd forgotten! And thanks to shuffle-play, you don't get STRICTLY the oldest song, then the next-oldest... you get a nice non-repeating mix of songs you haven't listened to in a while.)
That's the basic version... but you CAN do more (make the "least recent" list a bit smaller as needed):
3. Want your custom "mood" mixes or other playlists too? You can probably fit most of them just fine: they probably overlap a great deal with your "favorites" Smart Playlist. If they don't all fit, de-select some.
4. I'd personally want ALL my newest music, no matter what the rating--so I have a chance to change my mind on what I think of it! So I'd want a Smart Playlist of 50-100 "Newest Added." In time, those additions will either end up in your "favorites" list or else be shuffled through by date along with everything else.
(The resulting MB size of all this will vary a bit--so I wouldn't attempt to fill the whole iPod--maybe 90%? That leaves space for emergency file backups/transfers anyway.)
Now you have a Mini with all your favorites and custom mixes ALWAYS there, all your newest music, AND "everything else" available too--on a rotating basis--with no further effort ever required. (Unless you do your "favorites" list in a way that grows or shrinks over time--then you might occasionally want to re-size the "least-recently-played" list to compensate.)
This strategy is the reason I'm not afraid to choose a Mini despite the lower capacity. Lots of variations are possible.
Hope this is useful to someone! :)
[3226 byte] By [
nagromme] at [2007-11-9 17:44:26]
# 1 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
That's great way to do it but you still need to be a tweaker often. [It certainly sounds like you are!]
Others who aren't probably won't use this method. They're candidates for a large capacity iPod.
MikeM at 2007-11-15 14:45:19 >
# 2 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
You don't have to tweak and customize my method unless you CHOOSE to do it that way: those are Smart Playlists, and will update themselves and auto-synch forever. Both #1 and #2 can be limited by MB, and anything beyond that is optional. #4 too is a Smart Playlist, and #3 is just keeping the mixes you'd already created anyway (if any).
Simple but powerful version--auto-synch three Smart Playlists:
1000 MB of highest-rated (or most-played) songs.
1500 MB of least-recently-played songs (rating > 1 or 2 stars if you wish).
200 MB of most-recently-added songs.
Your'e done... forever! Those lists will intelligently update based on your behavior--on your iPod AND your computer--without you having to think about it ever again. (Want to fit your custom non-smart mixes? Go ahead, and make one of those three playlists smaller if you need to.) Highest-rated is a better method than most-played, since most-played penalizes newer music.
And you're right, I myself would choose to customize more :)
# 3 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Thank you nagromme. I just purchased a new mini, and was fiddling with how I could set-up some smart playlist that would keep my music fresh, and you hit it on the nose. I had a 15gb, but don't think I will be using that one anymore, and these smart playtlists are just another nail in the coffin for my older ipod, ;) Thanks again.
# 4 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Forgive me for my possible ######ation but...
I dont play my music at work (I listen to the radio during the day). Does Itunes recognize how often or little I play music on my ipod? I just started using ipod today (just got a mini and got rid of my 15 gig). How else could I rotate songs on and off of the mini through Itunes? Thanks in advance!
Jamie
jeg999 at 2007-11-15 14:48:16 >
# 5 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Yep--the beauty of iTunes auto-synching is that it doesn't just synch music, it synchs info about how you listen! iPod and iTunes BOTH track--and exchange--the following:
* How many times you've played a song (vs. skipping it after it starts)
* When you last played it
* When you added it to your library--and when you last modified it
* How you have rated it
So no matter whether you play (or change rating) a song on your computer OR one of your iPods, those stats will be updated across ALL your devices via auto-synch. One more reason to choose iPod over others.
Thus, my method will work even if your computer is just a repository, and you actually play music only on your iPod.
# 6 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Excellent! well, now I have to sit down and figure out your system. I read it twice, but I am stupid with directions and didnt quite understand how it works. Scary that I am an IT Manager.
jeg999 at 2007-11-15 14:50:24 >
# 7 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
I wouldn't mind clarifying/improving the instructions... so if something doesn't make sense, ask away :) I think once you look at the dialog for a new Smart Playlist, and then iTunes Prefs where you can tell it which playlists to synch, it will make sense. Smart Playlists are pretty easy really--fun and powerful.
# 8 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
So I followed the directions. I set up a couple regular playlists with all the mandatory tunes for the ipod and then a smart playlist for some random songs (that hopefully will cycle through). I synced with Itunes today and in my library (or in the playlists) none of the songs I have listened to show a last listen date or play count. I thought that when i listened on the ipod it would update itunes. This program is complicated!
jeg999 at 2007-11-15 14:52:20 >
# 9 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Actually, what you're expecting IS how it works, nothing more should be needed from you. Maybe there's a technical problem--but perhaps you skipped the songs before the end?
The way it works is that iTunes (and probably iPod too) count a song as played IF you play to the END of it. Just the beginning doesn't count, or it would be meaningless: songs would come at at random, you'd skip ones you don't like as much, but they'd still count.
Interestingly, if you skip through most of a song and play JUST the end, iTunes still counts it as played.
Also--Important:--If you want that Smart Playlist of other songs to cycle through your whole library, do NOT say "random." Say "least-recently played". Then any song that gets played no longer qualifies and will be swapped for a fresh one.
Now, you probably do want to randomize that and not hear songs in the strict order of the last time you played them! But do that with random-shuffle PLAYBACK--not in the playlist itself.
# 10 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
I definitely listened to them to the end. Anothe problem I had is that I loaded some additional songs at home and when I connected it at work, it removed those songs. How do I stop it from doing that?
jeg999 at 2007-11-15 14:54:29 >
# 11 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
There's your problem I think. An iPod is meant to synch with only ONE computer. When you synch with another it resets and becomes THAT computer's library. (This is an anti-piracy decision--but there are downloadable apps that get around it.)
Simplest solution: synch your iPod at home only, and use some other method to get additional music to your work computer. Such as a CD--OR drag the songs to the data hard drive of the iPod on your desktop--and back out from there to your work iTunes. Just be sure when you connect to the work machine they you don't synch.
So what if you want to synch PLAYCOUNT and last-played dates between two computers? I know of no way to do that. Stats track between your one "main library" computer and all of your iPods.
So if you want stats to be tracked while you listen at work, I would suggest just plugging your computer speakers into the iPod!
# 12 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Actually, I only want to sync at work now. I will bring all music to work on a usb flash drive and add it to my library that way. But my question on why play count and last listened stats werent updated when i synced today is still out there. Any ideas?
jeg999 at 2007-11-15 14:56:29 >
# 13 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
If you had previously synched top a DIFFERENT computer then that could make sense: your iPod may have started fresh from the new computer, losing the library that had been on it before--including the recent playcount changes. BUT if you had previously synched to that SAME computer, and were simply coming back the the iPod's "own" computer... then something else is wrong. With any luck (and maybe an iPod Reset--see manual) the problem won't happen again. You might also try quitting and re-launching iTunes. Good luck!
(And you can use your iPod instead of a flash drive: just use the data hard drive part of the iPod--don't involve iTunes in making the copies. You might need to erase your music from the iPod first to make room. Then, when you get to work and drag your songs into the iTunes window, the default iTunes preferences tell it to copy those files into your music library. At least, that's how it works on Mac, and I don't think it's any different for Windows. If you've changed your iTunes prefs to say NOT to copy new music to the library, then drag from the iPod to someplace on your PC first--and THEN from there to iTunes.)
# 14 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Just created the smart playlists based upon your instruction
and I have to say this has got to be my favorite piece of Modern technology since I purchased my IBM T40
I love this little thing and based on your advice it works exactly the way I want it to.
# 15 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Hey I'm new to iTunes and iPods, and i was setting up a most recently-played Smart Playlist to auto-sync with my ipod. However, I've noticed that when i play songs not loaded in my iPod, they don't go under the most recently-played songs list that i made. But songs that are loaded on the iPod do get updated in the playlist. Can anyone tell me why this is happening? thanks.
# 16 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Exactly along the same idea, but I want to keep entire CDs together rather than individual songs, e.g. "Favorite Albums", "Least Played Albums".
Can that easily be done? If so, how?
Thanks.
# 17 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
I would assume so
Just have it select by album
# 18 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
eriq - glad my method was helpful!
fuji - did you tell iTunes to SYNCH that playlist? Look it iTunes Preferences, you can choose which to synch.
apes - good idea! but iTunes has no "albums" option in the Limit section, of you want to auto-limit by rating, times played, or whatever. The closest you can come is limit "by album" and then use the condition above to set a playcount you wish the songs to be over or under--but that won't limit the MB, so filling your Mini that way will require more effort and tweaking.
It would be great if the Limit line let you limit by MB AND Album both, instead of either-or.
Workaround: make a playlist of your favorite whole albums. Synch that along with the rest, and shrink one of the Smart Playlists' MB to make room if needed.
# 19 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Ok. Ive only had my mini for just over a week and already i love Smart Playlists.
I have the following playlists setup (ok i used to be software developer so i love this kinda stuff)
I have over 4GB of music and since i just installed iTunes last week none of it is rated etc. So i needed a way to go thourgh all my music and start rating them. The playlists i created are designed to rotate through all my music as well as keep my favourite music on my ipod. (disclaimer: ive only been using them for a week and so far i like the results. You may feel different)
Smart Playlists
------
I create several Forgotten <Genre> smart playlists using the following rules;
My Mini is set to shuffle play the tracks
eg Forgotten Rock
--------
Genre -> is -> Rock
My Rating ? is not ? 1 star
My Rating ? is not ? 2 star
Limit to - 25 songs - selected by ? Least recently played
(This will play tracks that you havent heard in a long time with 3 or more stars PLUS any non rated tracks, ie new tracks you just added)
Do the same for your other Genres eg. Pop, Classical, Oldies, Easy etc
Then i have my Favourites (these get better and better as you rate more of your songs)
eg Favourite Rock
--------
Last Played - is in the last - 2 weeks
Genre -> is -> Rock
My Rating ? is greater than ? 3 star
Limit to - 25 songs - selected by - Random
(This brings back 4 and 5 star rated tracks that you have listened to in the last 2 weeks. It also selects by random so you get a nice mix)
Do the same for your other Genres eg. Pop, Classical, Oldies, Easy etc
I also include the following Smart Playlist in my iTUNES but i DO NOT synch this. This is just to help me remember to rate the songs.
eg To Be Rated
-------
Play Count -> is greater than -> 0
My Rating ? is ? 0 Stars
Limit to - 100 songs - selected by ? Most recently played
(This keeps track of any songs that i didnt rate on-the-fly while listening on the iPOD. I make sure i rate these on a daily basis)
My Star Rating is as follows;
0 - Unrated
1 - Cr*p
2 - So-So
3 - Good
4 - Very Good
5 - Excellent
As i said these have been working fine for me so far. Im sure they will get better as i rate more of my songs.
If this helps any of you guys please let me know. Or if you have any suggestions too.
I also have a selection of standard playlists which i use when i want to listen to a new album i just bought.
Have fun iPodding!
-Faide
Faide at 2007-11-15 15:03:35 >
# 20 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Cool, Faide--that's a lot like what I do, right down to using the name "Forgotten" and how I use the ratings :)
I don't use Genres, though, and I set my Least Recently Played playlist to be quite large--that way, with shuffle play, you get what feels like "true" random play of your library.
TRUE random play will sometimes repeat a song you've heard recently. But a more natural-feeling randomness comes from Least Recently Played, if the list is big enough and shuffled.
# 21 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
This post IS the reason I dumped the idea of getting other players in favour of the ipod mini.
The integration of itunes with the ipods is exceptional!
With the implementation of the smart playlists, I'm enjoying my music collection more than ever.
aureus at 2007-11-15 15:05:32 >
# 22 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
As a suggestion for people who are sharing their ITunes this is how I've made up my mini playlist. I share ITunes with my boyfriend and his Ipod. I don't just want to do last played as that would include lots of his random stuff that I never listen to. So I:
Created a playlist that just included all of the albums I wanted to ever listen to and added my name to all of them in the comments section.
I then created a smartplaylist that did least played songs including the comment 'my name'. and was limited to 3.5gb
In this way I cycle through the songs I want to hear and don't have to listen to all the other stuff that's also in Itunes.
Peachy at 2007-11-15 15:06:41 >
# 23 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Thanks for the tip Nagromme! :)
I also use the comments field alot to help fine tune my smart lists.
eg ROCK genre has the following "comments" subcategories.
Rock-Pop (what some would call alternative eg, Matchbox Twenty, The Calling etc)
Rock-Classic (eg Queen, The Police, Rolling Stones etc)
Rock-Easy (eg Slow rock music)
POP also has sub-categories (in the comments field)
Pop-Dance (obviously dance remixes etc)
Pop-Oldies (70's and older)
Pop-80s (80s)
Pop-General (eg modern pop music from the 90s and onwards)
If its an 80s dance remix i will put both comments in.
-Faide
Faide at 2007-11-15 15:07:42 >
# 24 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Good ideas. I use comments to flag songs as "Explicit" and exclude them when older relatives are present :)
FYI, here's an article on how the default iPod Mini playlist works. It favors high-rated and often-played songs, mainly. http://www.macilife.com/ (March 12)
# 25 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Originally posted by nagromme
Yep--the beauty of iTunes auto-synching is that it doesn't just synch music, it synchs info about how you listen! iPod and iTunes BOTH track--and exchange--the following:
* How many times you've played a song (vs. skipping it after it starts)
* When you last played it
LIES! I'm 95% sure that you have to use a 3rd party tool to sync this info.
hotch at 2007-11-15 15:09:39 >
# 26 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
my favorite feature is that the iPod will update smart playlists on the fly (although this is more important on my 30 than my mini)... but i have smart playlists of "4/5 star" in every category on my ipod, and it works like a gem! if i get tired of a track, i down-rate it, and poof, it's out of my list.
hotch at 2007-11-15 15:10:39 >
# 27 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Hotch--it's not a lie, iPod and iTunes really DO do that, with nothing 3rd-party needed :)
# 28 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
alright... hold on, let me go grab my cable so i can try it
hotch at 2007-11-15 15:12:39 >
# 29 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Well I just tested this with iTunes and the iPod mini.
If you begin to play a song either on the mini or in iTunes and scrub through the song, almost to the end say the last 10sec. and then let it finish playing on it's own it will register as being played on that date and time.
# 30 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
yep-- i tested it too!
i'm POSITIVE that this didn't used to be the case with 2g ipods
hotch at 2007-11-15 15:14:47 >
# 31 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
My question would be this. Let's say I have a song... and the song has 10 plays according to iTunes when it syncs to my mini.
Then, after syncing, I play the song twice though iTunes (incrementing the counter to 12) and three times on my mini (incrementing the counter to 13). (Let's say I really love the song.)
Now, preytell... when I sync again, what would iTunes report as the number of times this song has been played? 12? 13? 15?
Anybody care to test? Heck, maybe I'll test later. :) I'm really curious!
# 32 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
So, is any of this easier if I use one of the other software programs to manage my ipod (other than iTunes)?
Thanks,
-todd
toddjb at 2007-11-15 15:16:50 >
# 33 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Originally posted by jamester
My question would be this. Let's say I have a song... and the song has 10 plays according to iTunes when it syncs to my mini.
Then, after syncing, I play the song twice though iTunes (incrementing the counter to 12) and three times on my mini (incrementing the counter to 13). (Let's say I really love the song.)
Now, preytell... when I sync again, what would iTunes report as the number of times this song has been played? 12? 13? 15?
Anybody care to test? Heck, maybe I'll test later. :) I'm really curious!
As long as you don't change core tags in iTunes on said song inbetween the sync it will work. It will be 15 plays in iTunes once synced.
We have discovered though that if you change tags in iTunes (Ratings excluded) the iTunes info overides the iPod info, so in the case you would explain above if you had changed a spelling error, or changed the genre and then synced the iPod it would only say the song was played 12 times. In case of ratings the rating that is associated with the "last played" info of the song gets synced and tested.
Always sync the iPod before changing tags in iTunes and again before you start playing songs on the iPod (once tags have been changed) to make sure the most up to date information is synced like you want it.
Good Luck,
Stu
# 34 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Originally posted by hotch
yep-- i tested it too!
i'm POSITIVE that this didn't used to be the case with 2g ipods
nope, that's been there since g1 ipods.
# 35 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Ive got a simple method for fitting a large library on an iPod mini: return it, buy a bigger one, and out it on that.
# 36 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Stu:
That was an AWESOME explanation. Thanks a lot for taking the time to answer that one so thoroughly!
James
# 37 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
nagromme: Thanks for all of these great tips - you RULE! I jost got my new mini and I am already thinking of selling my 15gig. I am really questioning the logic of this need to carry ALL of my music with me. I was planning on getting a 40gig...but with your method, I really don't see the need.
Anyhow, like apes - I (usually) want to listen to full albums. I have a smart playlist set up for "Play Count" "is less than" 2 and then "limit to" 2500mb then "selected by" album. I thought that would give me full albums...but of course it does not, since it will only include songs on the album played <2x.
What do you mean when you say limit "by album? Also, you say that there is no "album" option in the Limit section? This method sounds like it may be a better alternate solution...but I cant seem to get it set up.
Thanks again for all of your help!
Originally posted by nagromme
apes - good idea! but iTunes has no "albums" option in the Limit section, of you want to auto-limit by rating, times played, or whatever. The closest you can come is limit "by album" and then use the condition above to set a playcount you wish the songs to be over or under--but that won't limit the MB, so filling your Mini that way will require more effort and tweaking.
It would be great if the Limit line let you limit by MB AND Album both, instead of either-or.
Workaround: make a playlist of your favorite whole albums. Synch that along with the rest, and shrink one of the Smart Playlists' MB to make room if needed. apes
etip at 2007-11-15 15:21:49 >
# 38 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
So how many songs can you eventually get on the mini after using this method?
Jackus at 2007-11-15 15:22:57 >
# 39 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
How many songs is still about 1000, regardless of how you set up your playlists. I get about 10% churn every night with my setup. It looks at both date added and playcount.
Aceon6 at 2007-11-15 15:23:57 >
# 40 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
I am obviously being very stupid but could someone please explain in the simpliest way what words/phrases you have to use in the smartlist to get it to rotate the songs?
Regards,
# 41 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
I seem to be having problems with the updates of the playlists too. I set up several lists based on ratings and setting it to "least recently played". When I connect the Mini, it doesn't do an update. It doesn't update the ratings, the play count nor does it rotate any songs. I just get an error that it cannot be updated because there is not enough space (there's about 35mb free on the Mini.
This should probably be posted under the problems forum but there don't seem to be many responses to threads over there about this. So, I thought I would try here since I used the information here for setting up the smart lists.
Hope someone can help. Thanks.
# 42 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Originally posted by fujiorange
Hey I'm new to iTunes and iPods, and i was setting up a most recently-played Smart Playlist to auto-sync with my ipod. However, I've noticed that when i play songs not loaded in my iPod, they don't go under the most recently-played songs list that i made. But songs that are loaded on the iPod do get updated in the playlist. Can anyone tell me why this is happening? thanks.
I realize that this post is a couple months old, but I would suspect that the smart playlist has "Match only checked songs" option selected. This would include songs that were checked for syncing to your iPod, but would exclude any other songs in your library.
rewind at 2007-11-15 15:27:02 >
# 43 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
I am fast approaching 1000 songs, so I had a question about using this 'advanced method'. After you create the playlists, you go to iPod preferences or settings..and choose the smart playlists to update those only, correct?
Then, when you browse in the iPod, is there nothing when you go Browse >> Songs?? Can you only access the songs in the playlists, you can't browse by artist anymore... Am I right?
Am I making sense? lol
# 44 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Think of it this way... iTunes will copy those songs that are on the playlists from your iTunes library to the library on the iPod. You can still browse through this subset of the library on the iPod. You can also use the playlists that you copy over and the on-the-go playlist on the iPod. So... No, you CAN browse by artist (at least all those artists that are copied over onto the iPod).
rewind at 2007-11-15 15:29:03 >
# 45 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Ah! Thank you!
# 46 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
I've been a hardcore Winamp fan for years, and i didnt even download iTunes until i read the scheme nogromme put together and realized the awesome potential of these psuedo-random smartlists.
Noobie question: When i have any playlist (smart or regular) and i play it on shuffle, does it play 'randomly' within that playlist, or is it giving preference to frequently-played and highy-rated songs?
Thanks,
Dunadan who is waiting for the Mini to come in the mail
# 47 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
I've always assumed that suffle was completely random. It will not repeat a song on that playlist until you choose another playlist or sync with your computer (which resets shuffle).
rewind at 2007-11-15 15:32:05 >
# 48 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Another one: I made a Least Recently Played smartlist. Now, ive been listening to them all day and now they are no longer the least recently player. How to I update/refresh a smartlist? Do i need to erase the list and then recreate one with the same rules?
# 49 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Just make sure that the "Live Updating" box is checked. You don't have to do anything but run iTunes and sync with your iPod every now and then.
rewind at 2007-11-15 15:34:09 >
# 50 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Can you rate songs using the iPod Mini, or must it be done using iTunes only?
# 51 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
You can do it on the mini directly. The wheel controls volume by default, but if you press the center "select" button, you can scroll through controls for FF/RWD and rating also. Once you see the stars on the display, use the wheel to move your rating up or down accordingly.
rewind at 2007-11-15 15:36:11 >
# 52 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
rewind (cool name). Cool. That is great, because I hardly ever listen to music on my computer, and it's hard to rate songs just by the name, without listening to them... I so can't wait... I'm still messing around with playlists right now, so I guess I have some time. Although I have an empty Marware Convertible waiting...
# 53 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
when the live updating box is checked, when does it update? after a certain period of time? when i open iTunes again? when i sync my mini?
another question: is there anything i can do to ensure a specific song gets into one of my smart playlists and therefore on my iPod?
# 54 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
This is great, I wanted a Mini and now I want it more... ;-)
I think great iTunes integration like this is how Apple will pull off a flash player...if you are auto-updating every day or week, then you don't need so much storage space to keep things fresh.
Other flash-player manufacturers can duplicate the hardware (more or less), but they can't duplicate iTunes and the integration between iTunes and an iPod.
# 55 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Ok this sounds like a cool idea. But I have one question about it.
Lets say that the 3rd auto-list (least recently played songs) adds 10 songs that I dont really care for. So I skip them 1/2 way through each time they play. Will this mean that they will always be on my ipod? i.e. will the songs I always skip be on the ipod.
Now I know the response will be why have songs I dont like in my iTunes Library. But if you have full albums with one or two songs you dont like you will have them there.
I guess I could go through the thousands of songs and uncheck the ones I do not like and have the iPod not sync unchecked songs, but that seems tedious (but no more tedious than what I am doing now I guess)
# 56 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
What I would do about that is the next time it happes, give the song a 1 star rating and then skip it. Then make your unlistened to song playlist exclude all one stars, and they won't show up next time.
# 57 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
i think the software could do with an update.
when you open "my iPod" there should be options on the left just like in the iTunes screen (90s music, my top rated etc etc) including, most importantly, albums, artists etc... the same drop down as in your iPod. i cant believe theres no option to delete or just uncheck whole albums in "my Ipod" window.
also the ability to multi-select items with the mouse would be nice
i dont really care for this playlist lark, as most of my listens are whole albums.
# 58 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Originally posted by misper666
... there should be options on the left just like in the iTunes screen (90s music, my top rated etc etc) including, most importantly, albums, artists etc... the same drop down as in your iPod. i cant believe theres no option to delete or just uncheck whole albums in "my iPod" window.
...
Well the whole idea is to have what is on the iPod the same as what is on iTunes. So you can uncheck by album!
What I do on my mini is transfer one playlist called 'iPod all' which is an auto-generated playlist (size > 0 where all songs are checked)
So I have a manual playlist called 'Unchecked' And I copy all the songs I what to uncheck to that and select all and uncheck all.
I also have seasonal playlists like 'xmas' where I uncheck all for the off season
# 59 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
yes i see what you mean, i just wanna keep it simple by not using the playlist functions. i'm just curious as to why the left-hand menu in iTunes has "90s.." "..top rated" "..played..", but not albums & artists. its cool though, ive found you can enter the album name in the search (top) then go in edit, select all.
:rolleyes: ;)
# 60 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Originally posted by misper666
yes i see what you mean, i just wanna keep it simple by not using the playlist functions. i'm just curious as to why the left-hand menu in iTunes has "90s.." "..top rated" "..played..", but not albums & artists. its cool though, ive found you can enter the album name in the search (top) then go in edit, select all.
:rolleyes: ;)
The source window is playlists only etc.
You can browse by artist/genre by using the browse function in the upper right hand corner. You can browse the library, but if you want to browse a playlist use command-b (ctrl-b) to open up the playlist in browse mode.
Not sure, but you may be able to apply this to a manually updating iPod that is connected, though I have never tested this.
Stuart
# 61 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
I must be an idiot, cause I still don't quite get it.
# 62 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Just a quick question. With your "most recently added" smart playlist how many days do you go back?
I just started using itunes a couple days ago so ALL of my music is in the recently added (but I changed it to "added in the past 1 day").
aelam at 2007-11-15 15:47:16 >
# 63 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
OK, wooo hooo (almost).
I was all set to get a 20gig, even though I prefer the form factor of the mini.
Then, I came across this old thread and realized "Ah ha! A perfect solution!!"
BUTTTTTT!!! I thought about a possible additional step that would be nice to avoid:
OK, so I've got, say, 1 gig set up for newly added tracks/albums, and 3 gig set up for "least played". So far, so good. BUT! Eventually my "newly added" tracks won't be so new anymore. However, while they were in that smart playlist, they got played a good quantity of times. So, they won't appear in my "least played" smartlist for a very long time either. But, even though since it is not a "newly added" track anymore, doesn't mean I don't want to hear it for 3 years.
The only way I figured around this is to "clear" the tracks from iTunes. This resets the Play Count back to zero. But that's a step in the process that would be nice to avoid. Also, it kinda relies on me knowing what tracks are coming off the "newly added" list, and knowing to do this.
Anyone know what the heck I'm getting at, and if there is an alternative? :confused: Thanks.
# 64 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
I "kinda" see what you're getting at Rantipole. Not sure if this will help, but in my "New Music" SPL, I've got
-Limit to 700 MB sorted by Most recently added
-Play Count is Less than 5
I haven't tried this out in the real world (my itunes is only like 3 days old and my ipod is still at the plant) but I think it should work.
My reasoning is that after I hear it 5 times through, it deserves to be in the normal "least played" list (which I named "The Common Folks"). If I really do like it, I would rate it 4 or up and then it would drop into the "favorites" list which means I would still have access to it.
I don't know if that answered your question as you didnt' really have a question, or I just missed the point :P
aelam at 2007-11-15 15:49:19 >
# 65 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
I went to update my iPod mini - now it pops up with a message saying would I like it to pick me a list of music can't update because too much music on it. It has 455mb left - how big a chunk does it need to update system - or how big is the system to run it - I can't find that info.
# 66 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
aelam, yes you understood my point. That is one option I hadn't thought of, and I think will also stimulate some other ideas. Thanks.
# 67 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Anyways, just wanted to say that I changed my list so that max playcount in the new added music is 3. It'd take FOREVER if I set it to 5 I think.
Any more luck Rantipole?
aelam at 2007-11-15 15:52:20 >
# 68 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
I just received a mini today as a gift, and the smart playlist suggestions have been so helpful! I have a bunch of stuff in iTunes I didn't want on my mini--Christmas music, comedy albums, and 17 hours of David Sedaris audiobooks--and everyone's else's trial and error helped me a lot. So, thanks.
After some tweaking (OK, a lot--it took me a long time to figure out the initial sets of restrictions on the smart playlists), I set up my smart playlists as follows:
Just Mini: Limit to 2500 MB, sort by random, Not Xmas, Not Comedy, Not Sedaris
It's New to You: Last played is greater than 2 weeks, limit to 50, Not Xmas/Comedy/Sedaris, live updating
My Top Rated: All 4/5 star songs
Pretty New: Songs added in the last 10 days, live updating
Plus I have "Gym Rat," which is not a smart playlist--a list of songs to listen to at the gym.
All these playlists add up to about 730 songs, or 3.7 GB. I want to keep a little extra space, just in case.
# 69 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
I like the idea of the main system in this thread;
1000mb sorted by highest rating,
1500mb least played
200mb newly added.
Obviously there's a lot of stuff in my library that is unplayed for a reason, ie, I don't like it and I'll skip it should it be played on my ipod. won't the system above result in 1500mb of songs rotating that I don't like? futhermore, unless i am misunderstanding this system only works if i duly rate everything, and play everything to the end. if i skip a track, it's still unplayed so will always live in my unplayed list.
in addition to this, if i have 1000mb of 4star songs, the 3stars won't get a look in.
# 70 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
I don't rate my songs, because if they're on there, I like 'em. I delete (or don't rip in the first place) weak songs.
Anyway, I haven't figured out exactly my final system yet. The smart playlists really give you some great flexibilty in terms of making a mini useful, even if you have 15 gig of tunes.
# 71 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Hi all! Just registered on the forum here but I have read a little here on and off since buying my mini last year. I'd seen this thread before and I've made my own system based on it, which is a bit of a work in progress but at the moment is working very well for me. Not sure if it's helpful at all but here's how I've set mine up:
I rate my music as:
0 stars - unrated - haven't listened to yet
1 star - don't really like - won't get automatically put onto ipod
2 stars - average
3 stars - good
4 stars - excellent
5 stars - all time favs
I then set up playlists of:
700Mb: hand picked music (standard, i.e. manual, playlist)
1500Mb: music I've not yet listened to (smart playlist)
http://www.aopo61.dsl.pipex.com/ipod/notherd.gif
1200Mb: favourite music - 3 to 5 star rated (smart playlist)
http://www.aopo61.dsl.pipex.com/ipod/fav.gif
400Mb: music of average rating - 2 to 3 stars (smart playlist)
http://www.aopo61.dsl.pipex.com/ipod/average.gif
The "hand pick" playlist is very useful as it allows me to manually select some music I definitely want to listen to, but I don't have to worry that there are duplicates in my smary playlists: the rules in the smart playlists for "playlist is not Hand Pick" is to stop any songs I manually add to the hand picked playlist being duplicated in the other playlists.
I have also set up another smart playlist called "ipod" which isn't copied to the ipod, but it holds the contents of all of the above playlists so that I can see how much space they use (helpful when working out how much I can add to the Hand Pick playlist, since 700Mb is only a rough figure - my other playlists can wander a bit around their allocated sizes):
http://www.aopo61.dsl.pipex.com/ipod/ipod.gif
The ipod is then set to automatically download from the playlists "Average", "Favourites", Hand Pick" & Not Listened to".
# 72 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
uh nagromme, i think you mean MOST RECENTLY PLAYED, not LEAST RECENTLY.
# 73 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
I don't think you can find a single formula to please everybody...that's the reason for customizable playlists...granted, this thread might lead some in right direction...but none of these configurations will be the end all and be all as some have suggested...and there isn't really a sure-fire solution, per se, other than larger capacity, which will come with time...
# 74 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
I read somewhere that your "live updating" lists change everytime you update/connect your iPod? I have a list that pulls a certain amount of random songs. Say I don't have an iPod yet, and am making smart lists for use on my Mac, is there anyway I can get that random list to update/re-randomize?
# 75 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
can somebody teach me to do this using windows XP and on MANUAL UPDATING
# 76 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Has anyone else experienced tunes jumping into other playlists?
I'm using 2 playlists from different machines. The ipod can't keep them straight. My wife's Grateful Dead keeps infiltrating my playlist. Blech!
# 77 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
I would recommend that you and your wife designate the stars rating to individualize your music (especially if you have 2 playlists updating on 2 comps.)
For example: 1 star = yours, 2 stars = hers, 3 stars = both.
Then you can make a smart playlist on your computer that would have the rule: rating is 1 star AND rating is 3 stars...Likewise, have hers be 2 stars.
If you have a huge collection, you this will be painful at first, but will get easier as new music comes along...
# 78 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
I think comments is a better use of this situation. So you can set things to Comments not "hers" or Comments "not his". Hate to lose what the ratings were meant for, "ratings" What if she wants to rate a song 4 stars and he doesn't agree and wants to use a 4 star playlist for his songs? Need comments to acheive that. I add my wife's name to the comments of all songs that she likes so I always know which ones are her's. Luckily I like almost all the music she likes. It's my music she has issues with :)
Or better yet if she has her own playlist make a comment in your playlist: "Playlist is not "her playlist" Only do this if there are never songs that she wants in her playlist that you want in yours. If it's just greatful dead and you don't listen to any grateful dead you can always add a "artist is not greatful dead" to the playlist as well.
# 79 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Hi,
I'm new to the boards and to the apple community in general (even if many of my friends are not). I ordered an iPod mini that should be arrive in about a week. After being referred to ipod lounge I realize I made the right decision going with the iPod mini. The iTunes software is absolutely amazing, the ability to create smart playlists has made it my primary music device. The iPod compatibility with iTunes in itself is enough to put far above other such devices in the market. The ingenious method to continually shuffle the playlist is particularly useful since I carry my laptop of everywhere and don't need a second hard drive. The comments in the forum have addressed every issue I had, and many more I would not have even thought of. I just wanted to thank all you for your helpful comments and introduce myself to the iPod community.
Bluehaven
P.S. Are the arm bands and iSkins really worth it? I plan on using the iPod mini for when I work out, so im wondering if it would be worth my time to invest in an armband or iSkin, or if there is no need?
Thnxs
# 80 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Hi, you may of seen me say this on another forum.
I have just filled up my 4gb ipod mini, i did try the auto synchronizing thing on my ipod, but i always like to listen to new, random songs. So it didnt really work for me. I was wondering if it would be possible maybe to connect the ipod to a flash pen drive, so you would have the extra space. Would this be possible?
Thanks
# 81 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Hello I am a newcomer to this site and I have just got an iPod mini yesterday. The playlist on the first post sounded really good to give me a nice mix of my entire music collection. However, I dont fully understand the instructions....so very n00b like I know. Anyway I was wondering what do you put under each box when you are setting up the smart playlists since I only see in the guide what to put under the select by box and nothing else. I also have not had time to rate all my songs and it will probably take quite awhile to do so. I am mentioning this since I would imagine it effects what my setting for my smart playlist are. Many thanks to anybody that helps me out.
NovaX at 2007-11-15 16:06:37 >
# 82 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Hey, Im new and should be getting my new mini (pink!!!) in the mail soon. With all this syncing stuff does it take into account with storage and all you calendars, address book and notes?
thanks!!
# 83 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
HI All
Been reading through this thread and have tried to emulate the original playlist that nagromme linked to in his first post. A question, When I need to select the following
Kind is not AIFF audio file
Kind is not WAV audio file
Kind is not Audible file
Kind is not QuickTime movie file
Do I have to manually type in AIFF audio file, WAV audio file etc or should they be available in a pull down menu ?
i_kea at 2007-11-15 16:08:39 >
# 84 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
There is no pop down menu for this selection. You have to type it in.
If you choose for kind does not contain, instead of is not, you can just type in AIFF, WAV, Audible and Quicktime respectively instead of typing in the entire kind.
Stuart
# 85 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Nice one,
thanks Stuart :D
i_kea at 2007-11-15 16:10:36 >
# 86 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
I have a manual "Favorites" playlist of a little under 300 MB, so if my library gets bigger then the 3.something GB that a mini will actually hold, those are the only songs im going to use on my iPod.
Great guide by the way.
# 87 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Hi. I'm a ipod mini 6gb newbie but have considered myself a pretty techie type...been trying to figure out how to create a playlist of a certain size or to know how big your playlist is prior to synching it with the ipod (one you try to synch it I think it tells you how much more room you have on the ipod). Can anyone help me?
kal33 at 2007-11-15 16:12:46 >
# 88 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
So is there some way to make the iPod shuffle within a selected smart playlist? I'm new to the mini game, so any help would be appreciated!
***EDIT***
I figured it out so disregard!
# 89 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
This is the first time I actually read this, and I love it. My library doesn't quite fill my 6gb yet, but when it does... i'm prepared. Thanks!
# 90 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Cool guide. My playlist hasn't reached it yet, but I've still got plenty more cds to rip!
p3rsmag: To set manual updating on windows itunes right-click on the name of your ipod and go to settings, then click on manual updating.
# 91 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Someone needs to post this in the new Nano forums.
# 92 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
how many more songs does it allow you to have on your mini?
# 93 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
It's not that you can get more songs persay, it's that with the correct smart playlists you can rotate through your library while doing minimum work to make that happen.
I have extremely complex playlists on both my photo ipod and my ipod mini to make this happen.
# 94 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
I have this set up for mine (least recently played smart playlist), but if my ipod has a song that is more recently played then my itunes, the itunes takes the priority and then my songs stay at the top of the list. I'm going to be working on this today, but can someone help me, I do have "live updating" checked
# 95 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
I found that it was having some more playlist trouble with my nano, so I just reformated it with ipod updater and I have no more playlist problems.
# 96 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
question, if the ipod is designed for use with only on one computer why does apple let you authorize 5? i'm not trying to be a smart a$% just asking a serious question.
thanks
# 97 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
It's authorizing for music that you purchased using their music store.
# 98 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
You cannot exceed the advertised capacity of the ipod harddrive. That would be copying music to thin air.
# 99 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
I just started toying with Smart Playlists after reading this thread but can't figure out how to get these playlists to shuffle. They come up in alphabetical order when on my iPod. Any suggestions?
# 100 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
if you have the ipod set to shuffle in your main preferences, when you click on a playlist, it will automatically shuffle.
# 101 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
If you want "least recently played" but also shuffled you have to play through all your songs while shuffling in itunes. The fastest way to do this is start playing through your library and just hitting the last second of the song in the trackbar.
# 102 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Great advise guys!!! Gonna try it myself!!!
# 103 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
:: ADVANCED SMART PLAYLISTS FOR LIBRARIES BIGGER THAN iPOD ::
If you have a big library with diferent genres of music, You might not want to mix them all on some "least played" or "Highest rating" playlists. I'm posting a tutorial on REALLY SMART genre playlists.
First you have to build 2 "building block" smart playlist for each genre. And should be organized in folders.
How to make "building blocks":
You should make 2 "building block" smart playlist for each genre.
First : name this as "(genre) rating" and use "all" as criteria
genre is - "your choice of genre"
my rating is higher than - "0 stars"
Limit to 150MB by least recently played
Second : name this "(genre) play count" and use "all" as criteria
Genre is - "same genre as last one"
playlist is not - "(genre) rating"
playcount is not greater than - 5
last played is not in the last - 5 days
Make the playlist that you will autosync in your iPod:
name it "(genre)" and use "any" as criteria
playlist is - "(genre) play count"
playlist is - "(genre) rating"
limit to 300MB random
With this playlist you have a size limited smart playlist of a genre that contains all or most of your rated song plus a random selection of song you haven't listened to many times or in a while.
PLEASE POST COMMENTS !!
FePa at 2007-11-15 16:29:02 >
# 104 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Having browsed through the 7 pages of this topic, I didn't really find anyone else who uses the solution I do, so I thought I'd throw it out there for anyone who cares.
I have about 12GB of music, and a 4GB mini.
I like to listen by genre, mainly, so I make "building block" SPL's (much like the previous poster, above) that shuffle through my songs by rating and by least recently played. I identify genres manually by the comment field, because I don't agree with how they rip from CD's, necessarily. For example, I have my "80s pop" mix:
SPL "80s pop 2" - comment = "80s pop" AND rating = "**" - limit to 4 songs by least recently played.
SPL "80s pop 3" - comment = "80s pop" AND rating = "***" - limit to 8 songs by least recently played.
SPL "80s pop 4" - comment = "80s pop" AND rating = "****" - limit to 12 songs by least recently played.
SPL "80s pop 5" - comment = "80s pop" AND rating = "*****" - limit to 16 songs by least recently played.
Then, the SPL that syncs is a combination of 80s 2, 80s 3, 80s 4, and 80s 5.
I find this works best for me, because it shuffles through all my 80s songs, while keeping more of my higher-rated songs in the mix, and keeping the 1-star rated songs out. It also means I have a bunch of mixes that are 40 songs long, about the same as 2 90-minute mix tapes (which I have a bit of a nostalgia for).
I do this for different genres, artists, whatever. It means a ton of "building block" playlists, but I just tuck them away in folders, and don't ever see them.
# 105 Re: Advanced method for fitting large library into 4GB Mini
Originally posted by miniMAMF
SPL "80s pop 2" - comment = "80s pop" AND rating = "**" - limit to 4 songs by least recently played.
SPL "80s pop 3" - comment = "80s pop" AND rating = "***" - limit to 8 songs by least recently played.
SPL "80s pop 4" - comment = "80s pop" AND rating = "****" - limit to 12 songs by least recently played.
SPL "80s pop 5" - comment = "80s pop" AND rating = "*****" - limit to 16 songs by least recently played.
Then, the SPL that syncs is a combination of 80s 2, 80s 3, 80s 4, and 80s 5.
That's also a good solution. Won't work for me because I'm not much into rating my songs. So I usually only rate with one star all "above average" songs, and that's all for rating.
About genre: I usually re-tag all songs using a personal lists of genres. But I still use the "genre" field for that.
FePa at 2007-11-15 16:31:05 >
