I must be getting really old if it costs me such labor to properly rip CDs on a Mac, so I apologize for my questions (which probably could be answered by some searching), but here it is:
- I have ripped a few CDs on my Mac using iTunes, but it behaves strangely: with >normal< CDs it goes all well, but a couple of compilations (ACT Piano works, Romantic freedom or Angels in the Architecture, EG Records) were splitted in two or three separate groups of tracks and placed before or in between other CDs, with the progressive track numbers all mixed; I have erased the CDs, re-ripped everything from scratch but the same few compilations are still fragmented. Yet, seeing them in their folders (not inside iTunes) shows them in the correct order. What can I do? Is it something to worry about? Will I have to make playlists of everything to listen to a whole album in the correct order?
- I have downloaded XLD (Guy Fawkes' hint, thanks) and it appears to have a number of options as ripper and a very clear GUI, but despite its apparent auto-setup, when I have inserted a CD to be ripped, iTunes has taken over and I can't see if XLD has done anything or not, if I have to do anything to make XLD be the default ripper.
I hope I explained myself. Fact is, I want to have optimum results and simple interface, but tweaking with informatics is not my cup of tea.
Thanks,
Massimo
Posted on: 13 December 2011 by Guido Fawkes
Hello Massimo
I have OS X Leopard running so sorry if your set-up is no quite the same, but if open System Preferences under the Apple Menu and select CDs & DVDs then the thir option lets me choice what happens when I insert a Music CD. By default it is set to iTunes, but you change this to any program you want and in this case XLD.
You can also set XLD's own preferences under CD rips there is an option to Automatically Open CD on Insertion and a sub option to Start Ripping Automatically (you may not want to set this though see below)
Regarding the fragmentation - firstly is the album title the same for all tracks in the compilation (use Ctrl Click and Get Info to check - secondly check that the Part of Compilation box is ticked. You'll have to check this for each individual track.
However, next time you rip a compilation with with XLD - highlight all the tracks and select edit Metadata and set the compilation flag - even if already seems to be set, I'd reset it again by ticking the box next to it and making sure it says Yes. This should keep your compilations together.
In the iTunes directory structure they will now go under the "compilation folder".
Hope this helps, Guy
Posted on: 13 December 2011 by Iver van de Zand
Dear guido,
I am interested in "you have to do this for all tracks". I extensively use the compilation flag whe appropriate. However, in few cases when using iPeng to control my SQ Touch, it still mentioned 2 or 3 seperate albums, where it should be 1 compilation album. In iTunes it is presented correctly. Is this a problem outside iTunes, or does it has to do with your "select for all tracks staement"?
Cheers,
Iver
Posted on: 14 December 2011 by Guido Fawkes
Dear Iver
I'm not sure of the workings of iPeng or SQ Touch, but in theory if all the tracks have their Compilation Tag set and the Album Title is the same then these should be presented as a compilation. In XLD you need to select all tracks to make sure the Compilation Tag is set for all tracks, otherwise it will only apply the setting to the first track.
Hope this helps, Guy
Posted on: 14 December 2011 by Massimo Bertola
Guy,
you're being very helpful, thanks! Your knowledge of these settings is precious. Yet, I can't find how to select >compilation< in iTunes (while it's been easy with XLD). I have the CD presented to me, all the single tracks are ticked, I highlight all of them but can't find any >compilation< selection...
Help,
thanks,
Massimo
Posted on: 14 December 2011 by Massimo Bertola
I think I did it: I only had to browse around a bit among the options and boxes and menus and windows, which is actually what I didn't want to do..
Guy,
thanks for your constant support to the lazy/dummy ones.
Massimo
Posted on: 14 December 2011 by Guido Fawkes
if you view as a grid and click on the album - then you should get just a list of the tracks on that album. Hold down Ctrl and click on a track name and select Get Info from the menu.
You should set a screen like the one above - if you don't then you want the click the Info tab along the top. You can see the Part of a compilation box near the bottom - you need make sure it has tick (the picture doesn't) and then OK. In iTunes you need to do this for each track.
All the best, Guy
Posted on: 14 December 2011 by Massimo Bertola
Guy,
thanks again, really. I now have XLD too, have selected the folder into which send the rip, but still can't have a compilation with the proper order inside iTunes...
It's probably me, it's probably late; I'm very likely tired. I'll try again with patience tomorrow, considering all this as part of a training, sort of debt to modern times.
Funny thing is, when I had a PC and Windows XP, I never dreamed of such problems, even WMP was straight and simple and did a honest job. I could do almost anything I wanted, choose between rippers and was even able to use them!
Now I feel like I finally have entered the proper, cool world and can't manage a few of the simplest operations...
And I thought that with Naim I was slave to a brand, to a style...
OK, let's go to bed.
M.
Posted on: 14 December 2011 by Deeg1234
Massimo,
just to clarify... are you talking about the display order of the tracks within the iTunes browser rather than the location of the ripped files themselves ? If so, could you list the current view options you have enabled and the column headings.. it might be just a case of sorting via a different column to get them listed in the order you desire..
Deeg
Posted on: 18 December 2011 by Massimo Bertola
I'm coming to terms with iTunes. I've added a very cheap app, BitPerfect, which - for as much as €4 - is adding memory play and a few other features to iTunes replay mode.
Adding artwork has become quick and simple, I'm beginning to see a use for my vacant shoebox space on the audio shelf (a UQ, perhaps? Radio and streaming facilities, plus using the speaker output for my old, dear Pioneer Electret headphones I own since 1975).
Good Sunday,
Thanks for everybody's help.
M.
