iTunes - Is it possible to...

[Mike Derrick]

Is it possible to play an audio file in iTunes without the audio file being added to the main library?

I know folks here love to dish on Windows Media Player, but I've kept it around for this very purpose. I'm constantly making temporary mixes that I need to play in iTunes/WindowsMediaPlayer. BUT I don't need iTunes saving a copy of the title of the audio file in the player's library because now I've got hundreds of audio file titles in the library with no associated audio files, because they don't exist since they were just temp mixes. Yes I know I can go in there and delete them manually, but this is a huge pain in the @ss.

The great thing about WMP is that I can play any temporary mix and it doesn't save it's title anywhere, just plays it, and forgets about it. Perfect. But this is all I ever use WMP for. Love to ditch it if I could make iTunes or some other program function in this way.

[Blast9]

check the settings in edit/preferences/general tab and untick "copy fils to itunes library"

Then, just drag the file (WAV MP3 etc) from the folder containing the tracks, or just drag the entire folder into the itunes "music" window.

I normally make a new playlist called "ruff mixes" or whatever, and drag the tracks into the playlist.

Incidentally I just discovered you can rip CDs to WAV in itunes - I am a happy camper!

[Mike Derrick]

Thanks blast9, but there is no such option as you suggest in my current iTunes, which is version 7.1.1.5. I've gone through every potential option tick box in preferences and nothing there seems to do what I want (or undo for what I want.)

Maybe that option existed in an older version?

[alyricalmind]

Edit > Preferences > Advanced Tab > Uncheck Copy Files To iTunes Folder

That might do it

[Mike Derrick]

Originally Posted by alyricalmind

Edit > Preferences > Advanced Tab > Uncheck Copy Files To iTunes Folder

That might do it

That option doesn't exist exactly as you have written it.

"Copy music to iTunes music folder when adding to library." is the closest thing, but that feature is for a different kind of function.

And that box is NOT checked anyhow, and hasn't been.

i took a screen shot of my option for iTunes>edit>preferences>advanced>general, but Gearslutz won't let me upload it or that service isn't available here yet.

[BrianT]

THE STEVE knows what's best for you.

Obey, comply, enjoy.

[BrianT]

Ok, seriously, I think I understand what you're after, but I don't think it's possible at this point.

What you want (I think) is for iTunes to not make/keep a record of every file played. Where the original file is/was and whether or not iTunes makes an additional copy into it's internal library are interesting, but separate, issues.

AFAIK, there is no way to prevent iTunes from adding an entry for every file you play. I would say setting Windows Media Player as the default app for playing whatever filetype you use is the best current solution. An iTunes option to remove all song entries that have the media missing with a single click would be cool, but AFAIK does not currently exist.

[Coyoteous]

Just delete it from the library "music" window when you are done - not ideal, but it works... (with the box in question unchecked).

I make 10+ hour spoken word/audio book MP3 CD's afew times a year for a customer of mine - had to teach myself all the ins and outs of iT over the last few years.

I also use iT for MP3 and Apple Lossless encoding/tagging... a handy, but confusing tool.

Most times I just play things in an editor or with the QuickTime Player. Do PC's have QTP?

[TonyBelmont]

I usually just open it in Quicktime if I don't want it in my iTunes... other than that you could just delete it after playing.

[Mike Derrick]

Originally Posted by BrianT

Ok, seriously, I think I understand what you're after, but I don't think it's possible at this point.

What you want (I think) is for iTunes to not make/keep a record of every file played. Where the original file is/was and whether or not iTunes makes an additional copy into it's internal library are interesting, but separate, issues.

AFAIK, there is no way to prevent iTunes from adding an entry for every file you play. I would say setting Windows Media Player as the default app for playing whatever filetype you use is the best current solution. An iTunes option to remove all song entries that have the media missing with a single click would be cool, but AFAIK does not currently exist.

Yes, you are correct, that is what I want to have happen. Oh well, guess I must bow to the ways of THE STEVE,...ha. (r)

Yeah for now, every few weeks or so I'm gonna have to go through the library and purge it. The only thing is that as the library gets bigger, the more of a chore it is to remember which mixes were still relevant and which were deletable. The mixes which get erased from their original folders are easier to delete out of iTunes, since it only requires hitting play and FF through all the Library's song list and the ones that got deleted have the have a little expression sign indicating iTunes can't find it. Although sometimes stuff gets moved, and maybe I still want it,...ah, what a mess. But still it just feels like time wasted to me. I wish I could tick off an option which triggered iTunes to ask me if I'd like to import the song into library or ignore that option and have iTunes simply play the song and forget it ever played it.

Thanks for trying to help folks.

(does anyone know if Winamp or Foobar etc can do what I'm looking for?)

[Mike Derrick]

Originally Posted by Coyoteous

Just delete it from the library "music" window when you are done - not ideal, but it works... (with the box in question unchecked).

I make 10+ hour spoken word/audio book MP3 CD's afew times a year for a customer of mine - had to teach myself all the ins and outs of iT over the last few years.

I also use iT for MP3 and Apple Lossless encoding/tagging... a handy, but confusing tool.

Most times I just play things in an editor or with the QuickTime Player. Do PC's have QTP?

Yes I have a Quick Time Player. Maybe I should try QTP.

[Blast9]

I'm curious to know re my method -

If you drag and drop yr files into a playlist called "ruff mixes" or something, then delete the playlist after you're done, does it still show the tracks in the main library "music" folder?

Normally you get a prompt to move files to trash or something like that

to be honest I've never checked, as I always go to my play list folders at left hand side.

(I would do this now but i don't have itunes on this PC - damn - gonna be a lonnnng day!)

[Mike Derrick]

blast I just tried your suggestion, thinking there was a small chance it might work, but nope, it don't. But it's cool idea for people who mix, perhaps iTunes should consider adding that feature for us studio mixing types. A separate music library for temporary audio files that doesn't cross breed with the original library. On second thought, wouldn't be better if iTunes just didn't add the song unless you wanted it to?

[theblue1]

Originally Posted by Mike Derrick

Yes, you are correct, that is what I want to have happen. Oh well, guess I must bow to the ways of THE STEVE,...ha. (r)

Yeah for now, every few weeks or so I'm gonna have to go through the library and purge it. The only thing is that as the library gets bigger, the more of a chore it is to remember which mixes were still relevant and which were deletable. The mixes which get erased from their original folders are easier to delete out of iTunes, since it only requires hitting play and FF through all the Library's song list and the ones that got deleted have the have a little expression sign indicating iTunes can't find it. Although sometimes stuff gets moved, and maybe I still want it,...ah, what a mess. But still it just feels like time wasted to me. I wish I could tick off an option which triggered iTunes to ask me if I'd like to import the song into library or ignore that option and have iTunes simply play the song and forget it ever played it.

Thanks for trying to help folks.

(does anyone know if Winamp or Foobar etc can do what I'm looking for?)

Absolutely. Also VLC and Media Classic Player. All of which are free and very capable.

They don't automatically search out and index every media file on your system (unless, perhaps, you ask some of them to). They don't intrude. And I don't think any of them use the obnoxious resident "quickloader" background programs that QuickTime (and I assume iTunes) try to stick in your boot profile.

In answer to someone's question, the free QuickTime player is available for Windows or you can buy QuickTime Pro.

I bought QTP 6.5 for use with my old camera which inconveniently used the .mov format. I got rid of it when Apple sent out a security notice to stop using it if one was on the internet and upgrade to the new version 7. For full price. I declined and went back to the stunted QT free. However, I now have a full compliment of good media players and only need QT for its codec, which my video editor needs on the rare occasions I want to use .mov or .mp4 formats (which is -- after much comparison -- never).

[macleodgrant]

i have all my files associated on a mac with quicktime player and on windows WMP so if i want to play a file once off, double clicking opens in that player. if i want to add to itunes, it's a different story. itunes in not just a player, it's a library and audio file manager so this feature isn't required

[Mike Derrick]

Originally Posted by macleodgrant

i have all my files associated on a mac with quicktime player and on windows WMP so if i want to play a file once off, double clicking opens in that player. if i want to add to itunes, it's a different story. itunes in not just a player, it's a library and audio file manager so this feature isn't required

Huh? The feature isn't required? Says who. Maybe I'm not reading ya right but it almost sounds like you're trying to make excuses for the iTunes not having a reasonable function option like other media players have. And somehow this makes it more than just a media player? imho you could argue this makes it less than a media player, not more.
But come on, a,....uh, library and audio file manager, shall we call it the iTunes Library Audio File Manager. Sorry to jump all over you on this one, but you can't expect me swallow those creative redefinitions. Semantics to a certain degree, but ultimately a redefinition on your part, and your part only, unless you speak for iTunes.

Apple calls iTunes a Jukebox, essentially a media player. It doesn't just do audio, or just put music in a library. It plays TV and movies and podcasts, plus other stuff. The library is one feature of iTunes not the full definition thereof. Managing the audio files is just one feature in the preferences amongst many many other "options."

It happens to be missing a feature us studio guys/gals and musicians could really benefit from.

Anyhoo.

[travisbrown]

Originally Posted by Mike Derrick

Huh? The feature isn't required??? Says who. Maybe I'm not reading ya right but it almost sounds like you're trying to make excuses for the iTunes Media Player not having a reasonable function option like other media players have. ...Apple calls iTunes a Jukebox, essentially a media player.

Mike, iTunes isn't technically a standalone media player. It's an asset management tool that uses the Quicktime framework for media playback - this is why you have to install QT when you install iTunes. iTunes is the library and Quicktime is the reader.

If you want to play a file without cataloguing it in iTunes, use Quicktime. You might want to set QT as the default app for all your audio files if this is your usual method of proofing music.

[Mike Derrick]

ok, whatever. I don't want to get into a discussion over semantics, media player or not. Still, it's a feature itunes could have but doesn't. Not a big deal. I'll use foobar or winamp. done.

[Freq18Hz]

Quicklook on Leopard does what you are looking for.


Time to get a mac.




-Freq

[travisbrown]

Originally Posted by Mike Derrick

ok, whatever. I don't want to get into a discussion over semantics, media player or not. Still, it's a feature itunes could have but doesn't. Not a big deal. I'll use foobar or winamp. done.

Take it easy, Mike. I'm not getting after you for semantics. You asked why iTunes won't do what you want, and the answer is it's not what iTunes was built to do. It defies the fundamental function of the application, which is indexing. You are asking it to do precisely what iTunes in turn asks Quicktime to do. The design of the iTunes application requires that it build a reference to the media file, then request QT services to play it based on that reference. It's not a media player; it borrows media services from another app.

So yes, the solution is to use Winamp, Foobar, or QT and cut iTunes out of the process.

[travisbrown]

Originally Posted by Freq18Hz

Quicklook on Leopard does what you are looking for.

So true. Selecting the file and hitting the spacebar to get a full preview is one of the most brilliant OS features I've ever used. Saves me so much time every day.

[Freq18Hz]

I think its funny when people still electing to experience the absolute shittiness of windows complain about an application that came from Mac, as if it could single handedly solve all their issues, when in fact, the operating system itself should be performing such a basic function.




-Freq

[Mike Derrick]

Originally Posted by travisbrown

Take it easy, Mike. I'm not getting after you for semantics. You asked why iTunes won't do what you want, and the answer is it's not what iTunes was built to do. It defies the fundamental function of the application, which is indexing. You are asking it to do precisely what iTunes in turn asks Quicktime to do. The design of the iTunes application requires that it build a reference to the media file, then request QT services to play it based on that reference. It's not a media player; it borrows media services from another app.

So yes, the solution is to use Winamp, Foobar, or QT and cut iTunes out of the process.

"Take it easy"? I wasn't riled up...did it sound like I was? And I didn't think you were "after" me. Read my post again but with a tone of voice which is slightly bored that this thread is still going, slightly with a touch of humour, and slightly with a roll of the eyes. I did say "not a big deal," which was me shrugging my shoulders. (It's surprising how different a post can sound depending on the voice you give it.) Maybe my humour and sarcasm don't translate. Oh well. How about a peace sign.

ok, semantics. For the record, from the lovely and always correct (tongue in cheek) Wiki. (that was slightly humourous.)

iTunes is a digital media player application, introduced by Apple Inc. on January 9, 2001,[2] at the Macworld Expo in San Francisco.[3] The application is used for playing and organizing digital music and video files. The program is also an interface to manage the contents on Apple's popular iPod digital media players as well as the iPhone. Additionally, iTunes can connect to the iTunes Store via the Internet to purchase and download music, music videos, television shows, iPod games, audiobooks, various podcasts, feature length films and Movie Rentals (available only in the USA, UK,Canada, Australia and New Zealand[4]), and Ringtones (available only in the USA). Since July 11, 2008, there has also been the option to download apps for the iPhone and iPod Touch as long as they are running the 2.0 firmware released on the same date.[5]
iTunes is available as a free download for Mac OS X, Windows Vista, and Windows XP from Apple's website. It is also bundled with all Macs, and some HP and Dell computers. Older versions are available for Mac OS 9, OS X 10.0-10.2, and Windows 2000. Although Apple does not produce iTunes for other operating systems, it can be run on Linux-based operating systems through Wine, a Windows compatibility layer.[6]
A version of iTunes shipped with cell phones from Motorola, which included the ability to sync music from an iTunes library to the cellphone, as well as a similar interface between both platforms. Since the release of the iPhone, Apple has stopped distributing iTunes with other manufacturers' phones in order to concentrate sales to Apple's device.

uhh, ok, so wiki calls it a digital media player, and so does alot of other websites in a google search of iTunes. What about iTunes itself?

The iTunes link I gave in an earlier post doesn't send you to the page I was actually at when I copied the link. (btw I hate it when websites do that.) For the record iTunes (and I quote their definition) calls it a "jukebox." If you read their own full definition it implies that it is a multi-media player, just like all the rest as far as I can tell.

Here's what iTunes says about itself in the help section,

iTunes is software that makes it easy to play and organize music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, and more. You can take your music and video collection with you by synchronizing your iTunes library with your iPod, Apple's portable music and video player.
With iTunes, you can also download music, movies, TV shows, and more from the iTunes Store. Download your favorite songs or an entire album with just one click. All songs are just 99 cents each. Choose from thousands of music videos or many hit TV shows; each is only $1.99. New to iTunes 7: You can now also download hundreds of box-office hit movies, starting at just $9.99 each.
The iTunes Store is always open and your purchases download to your computer immediately.

On the iTunes website, under the question, "what is iTunes," says the same thing. I'd post the link but you can look it up yourself. Or open up your iTunes and look under the Help section under What is iTunes.

If it was built and intended as something else, fine, no problem, but I'm saying, it's basically competing against all the other media-players which have a feature iTunes doesn't. Are we going in circles yet? (That was said with humour)

As far as the function I was originally asking about, I don't believe it "defies" the fundamental function of iTunes, and I can't find anything on the iTunes Apples site which states clearly or vaguely implies what you are inferring. And even if it did defy to the fundamental function, iTunes could still add that feature, no? Is this really such a big mountain,...as if it's impossible for iTunes to play an audio file and not have it added to the library. I don't quite get the defense of iTunes in this way.

Isn't this the year 2008, where options are endless and features are plenty? (Rhetorical question.)

Anyhow, does iTunes want me to use their player or not? They probably do. So I don't think adding that feature to their player will change the paradigm of the function of their product or redefine it such a manner that it shifts the catagorical definition of what iTunes is and does.

This is really getting silly, no?

btw read my post with a happy voice. cheers.

[Mike Derrick]

"time to get a MAC"

I've owned Macs. This issue has nothing to do with Mac or PC. If I had a Mac running iTunes I would still have this question and want this feature.

Originally Posted by Freq18Hz

I think its funny when people still electing to experience the absolute shittiness of windows complain about an application that came from Mac, as if it could single handedly solve all their issues, when in fact, the operating system itself should be performing such a basic function.

-Freq

Ummm, now you're stretching everything way out of context and putting words in my mouth.

1.) I wasn't complaining, I was inquiring about a feature or lack thereof.

2.) iTunes was NOT meant solve any problems with anything to do with Windows.

3.) There was no "shittiness" with Windows being experienced here.

4.) "when in fact, the operating system itself should be performing such a basic function." You are wrong. WMP DOES do what you suggest, ironically iTunes does not. "Funny" ain't it. (rolling my eyes.)

I've owned both Macs and PC's. I really don't understand the loyalty to one or the other. They both suck, and they both work. The rest has to do with faulty electronic components and user error.

I was basically thinking it might be nice to just use one media player for everything on one computer. Again, not a big deal. WMP doesn't bother me, it works flawlessly. iTunes doesn't bother me, it works flawlessly too, just wondered if it had a certain feature. I'm not here to bash iTunes or Mac or Windows or WMP. I have no loyalty to any of those corporation giants. I could care less what the name is on whatever media player I'm using, as long as it works, and does what I want it to. Just because iTunes happens to not have a feature I was hoping it might have does not now infer that I now hate it, or that I think any less of it. It is was it is. It does what it does. It's that simple.

This has nothing to do with Mac vs PC. Go start another thread if you wanna rag on one or the other. Both are fine with me. Good grief are we in the 1990's again that we gotta have these arguements again,...sheesh. No I take that back,....double sheesh. Ridiculous. when will these old myths die. How do people get so brainwashed.

read this post with a rolling of the eyes, humourous, sarcastic, and head-shaking voice.

[bjm007]

Originally Posted by Mike Derrick

........... I wasn't complaining, I was inquiring about a feature or lack thereof.

Ok then I'll complain about it....

I see itunes as a grossly inferior product and a total pain in the @ss.

I use Anapod instead and it works in a much easier, simpler and straightforward way

Any program like itunes should be able to manipulate audio files just like any other non-audio files you might have on a usb memory stick for example.

You should also be able to create playlists and do file management without having to put up with all the bullsh#t that itunes put you through....

itunes is writtten the way it is just so apple doesn't get sued for promoting illegal peer to peer sharing of audio files.... period.

Software written by lawyers is NOT my idea of a good time....

[nd33]

Not exactly what you're looking for, but this may help some people:

While in a playlist in iTunes, selecting songs and holding down the Option key then hitting delete will not only erase the track from the playlist but also from the iTunes library completely.

So if you wanted to drag your temp files to a playlist, you can easily delete them from the library by selecting and deleting them from within the playlist using this method, without having to locate the files amongst your entire library.

This is on a Mac, I'm not sure what the equivalent key is on Windows.





_

[nd33]

Originally Posted by bjm007

Ok then I'll complain about it....
You should also be able to create playlists and do file management without having to put up with all the bullsh#t that itunes put you through....

itunes is writtten the way it is just so apple doesn't get sued for promoting illegal peer to peer sharing of audio files.... period.

Software written by lawyers is NOT my idea of a good time....

You find it difficult creating a playlist in iTunes?
What specific difficulties are you having with playlists?

Itunes is pretty simple and intuitive for me, Apple are well known for those qualities.
Lossless encoding is a good way to go with iTunes, uses around half the filespace and have been proven to be completely cancel out with the original wave file (hence the lossless ).

_

[theblue1]

Originally Posted by Freq18Hz

Quicklook on Leopard does what you are looking for.


Time to get a mac.




-Freq

It may or may not be time for the OP to get a Mac -- but it's not because of this issue. For one thing, it was Apple software that had the behavior he didn't want. For another, people in between him and you offered a number of free solutions to his problem easily available to Windows users, including WinAmp, VLC, Foobar, Media Player Classic, and QuickTime, not to mention lots of others, the list of free players goes on seemingly forever.

[theblue1]

Originally Posted by Freq18Hz

I think its funny when people still electing to experience the absolute shittiness of windows complain about an application that came from Mac, as if it could single handedly solve all their issues, when in fact, the operating system itself should be performing such a basic function.




-Freq

I'm sorry.

Did the OP say he had a problem with the operating system?

He had a problem with the behavior of an application.

Your loathing of Windows is duly noted and I'm sure it makes you feel superior to those of us who knowingly, willingly prefer Windows. I'm absolutely fine with that because your opinion seems to be of absolutely negligible value to me. Clearly, a guy like me who's been using Windows to record since 1997 when I build my first 8 channel DAW must simply be a fool, right? And I must be nuts to not notice all the problems I guess I'm supposed to be having. (GMAFB)


But why not keep on track instead of drifiting off onto gratuitous attacks on the choices of others?

[Freq18Hz]

It doesn't make me feel superior, but it does make me think you are willing to settle.

FYI I've been building PCs about 10 longer than you have, so you aren't really convincing me about your expertise.

I say that windows sucks, because I have been using it every single day since it was released. I've built many a PC daw, still have several, and unless you are an idiot, they are vastly inferior to running on a mac, mostly due to windows. They are however perceived to be cheaper, and people find pirated plugins easily for them.

This entire thread should be deleted, given the lack of useful info, and boring dry "humor" and middle aged banter.

The fact is, iTunes is the most widely distributed audio software in the world, and the function the thread OP is asking for, would require a complete re-tooling of how average end users manage their content.

Again the feature you are looking for, should be handled by the operating system. Mac OS has the Quicklook feature. Windows does not have anything similar, despite what you may think.


If you elect to suffer through windows, I could care less. I was actually trying to help, and as far as I can tell, provided the most useful information here in regards to workflow, auditioning files.

If WMP is working for you, why even bother touching iTunes?



-Freq