iTunes to Foobar - anyone done this?

What is the problem?

What is the FireWire interface you're trying to use - generally the Macs tend to be easier and more compatible with FireWire devices than PCs are.

If you do convert, the main issues are lack of support for Apple Lossless and AIFF in Foobar, you'll probably want to convert your files to FLAC using dbPowerAmp or similar.

The problem is the interface which is a RME FireFace 400 does not like the the agere chip in the Mac, or at least that is what threads on the RME forum appear to be stating.

The 400 interface works well with a first generation non Intel Mac Mini but not with my MBP.

I have tried using a firewire hub and I'm still getting problems using the MBP. I can get the interface to work on a friends Samsung notebook when using a firewire PCMCIA and it just got me thinking about moving back to Windows.

Dave

quote:

Originally posted by Eloise:


If you do convert, the main issues are lack of support for Apple Lossless and AIFF in Foobar, you'll probably want to convert your files to FLAC using dbPowerAmp or similar.

Well ALACs and AIFFs play just wonderfully in Foobar. Not sure what you are talking about.

It is also probably one of the best converters for them as well.

-p

To your original question...

I used iTunes for about a year and a half before moving to Foobar. I got to the point where my playlists took minutes to open (due to size), adn the entire program was bogged down. When doing rips with EAC, I couldn'nt even get iTunes to run due to its resource intensive nature.

I couldn't be any happier with Foobar, and haven't missed iTunes in the slightest. I still use iTunes to sync my iPhone with Outlook and to put music on it, but woudl never use it again as a media player. Foobar killed it.

The bigger factor for you regarding the move, and the reason for hesitation by others above, would be moving from a Mac to a PC in general. If you dont mind using a PC, and why would you mind if not for prejudice or snobbery, it should be fine for music-only duties.

I have both and prefer to use the PC for music.

If Foobar was available for Mac, many, many people would be using it.

-p

I have no allegiance to either a PC or Mac and don't mind using a PC. I want to keep my FireFace 400 as it serves me well as an interface, just it wont work with my MBP.

So, how easy is it to move all my music to Foobar?

quote:

Originally posted by MontyW:
So, how easy is it to move all my music to Foobar?

Cake walk.

Open Foobar, go to File, and click on "Add Folder", then choose the folder(s) you want to import. It will take a minute to load everything. Then save the playlist, in case you delete it later. Once it is scanned into a playlist, the playlist loads instantly.

The above assumes you dont have the music scattered all over the place.

I have three drives, therefore three folders to add.

quote:

Originally posted by pcstockton:
Well ALACs and AIFFs play just wonderfully in Foobar. Not sure what you are talking about.

Sorry you're right. Does FooBar support artwork embedded into ALAC and / or FLAC?

Eloise

Should be easy. MediaMonkey is also (winamp player enhanced with better file system etc.) and both allow ASIO with a plugin for interfacing the RME. Foobar is open source and you can build it up to do as you please but it's a multi step process and takes a good deal of time if you want an Itunes type of interface. MM is pretty complete as is and has lots of available skins that are plug and play. It's also a great tagger. I'd do a little research before picking a player as both will play the files you like and sound effectively the same when setup that way. Check the MM skins and if they don't appeal to you, check foobar setups and go for it if one looks and works right but you'll feel like a programmer getting Foobar built up and sorted if you want more than a very basic player.

quote:

Originally posted by MontyW:
Hi,

Can I just canvass opinions to see if anyone has moved from iTunes on OSX to Foobar on Windows XP?

How fraught was it? Any benefits in your move away from iTunes?

The reason I ask, is I have compatibly issues with a firewire interface and my MacBook Pro (2009) and it is unlikely that I can resolve this with the current firewire chipset found in MBPs and may have to move to a PC.

Dave

Are you using a FireWire 800 cable? Have you tried a FireWire 400 cable instead? (The problem may lie with the FireWire hub functionality, IIRC.)

Dave,

I'm using a 800 - 400 cable.

If you've got a 2009 MacBook, the RME interface should be compatible with the supplied non-TI chipset in isochronous mode.

quote:

in isochronous mode.

Could you please explain this?

You should contact RME or visit their support forums for up-to-date information. If you, in fact, own the most recent incarnation of MacBook Pro, there shouldn't be a problem.

For my reading - it seams the FireWire issues are limited to the first generation of UniBody MBP (MacBook Pro) so any bought now should be compatible.

Having said that (and I'm no lawyer) it seams like Apple were selling a MacBook with a Firewire interface that didn't work with a large proportion of standard FireWire devices. As Apple are te creators of FireWire it's not unreasonable to expect that devices yhat stick to normal FireWire standards (i.e. The FireFace 400) should work without issue as it has on the past generations of MacBook Pros. My though here is that you *may* have some recourse under UK consumer laws so maybe worth investigating and talking with the retailer where you purchased the MBP before jumping off to PC land. As I said, I'm not a lawyer, but this to my common sense mind, seams to be a case of "not fit for advertised purposes". Of course don't start making unreasonable demands, but a conversation with trading standard over what reasonable expectations you an make might e worthwhile.

Eloise

Well I have a new MBP - thats for certain. What I am going to do is take both my MBP and FF400 to a local Apple reseller who I bought the MBP from.

At least I will then know if the MBP is at fault.

Wise idea - I had a 1.25 GHz PowerBook go south with a bad (zapped) FireWire chip....

I have just found out that my 09 MBP firewire port is at fault. Good old AppleCare - no questions asked, MBP to be repaired and should be able to pick up Wednesday if not before.

FireFace 400 worked straight out of the box when used with a MBP in store.

Phew!

I am one very happy guy - I picked up my MBP this afternoon and all is well!