April 14, 2009 4:03 PM PDT

Getting started with iTunes playlists

by Donald Bell
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We're kicking off a new series of How-To videos here at CNET that focuses on practical instruction for everyday technology. This is stuff that's a little too fundamental to be on an existing segment such as Insider Secrets, but requires more explanation than a Quick Tip. For my part, I thought I'd knock out a few tutorials on some basic and intermediate aspects of Apple's ubiquitous iTunes jukebox software.

In the following video and slideshow tutorial, I'll show you around the iTunes standard playlist feature (saving Genius and Smart playlists for another time). I know for many of you this is very basic stuff (especially if you're savvy enough to be reading the MP3 Insider blog), but I hope some of you will find the information useful or pass the link along to someone you know could use some help.

If you have some suggestions on other tutorials you'd like to see (especially if they're related to MP3 players or music software), be sure to send me an e-mail or drop a comment at the end of this post.

Donald Bell is CNET Reviews' senior editor for MP3 players and portable audio, and one half of the MP3 Insider blog and weekly podcast. He also likes getting his hands dirty with digital audio tools for musicians and DJs.
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by kennykenone April 15, 2009 7:22 AM PDT
Just want to know a easier way to add music in to your iTunes libary i might be doing it worng or i am doing it the long way or just dont know. every time i have a new CD that i download i go to iTunes i hit file go to Download or open foldersomething like that and add the CD i Want. it seems Like i am doing this steps over and over. i take my download and save it it to my computer from there it goes to my music folder but it does not update my iTunes unless i do those steps i describe. is there a way that iTunes Updates on its own from my music folder???? Can you Give me A tip??

Thanx
Ken
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by April 15, 2009 11:10 AM PDT
When you have your folder ripped....Just simply click and drag your folder into the itunes song list...

It will all be added from there. So much quicker than going through your menus and such. Dragging is your friend. :-)
by manuel_v_v April 15, 2009 3:43 PM PDT
Are you trying to rip cds onto ur itunes library ? if so itunes 8.1.1 has a button on the bottom right that straight up says import cds (i'm not sure if previous versions had this as i would go flie/add to lib... like you said) if you do this then those cd tracks will automatically be in itunes

If you are otherwise adding music to ur computer, as long as you are putting it in ur music folder, you can do file/library/consoliate library and it wiill move everything into itunes!

hope this helps, wasnt too sure what u were askign
by VWXYZadam April 15, 2009 8:53 AM PDT
Nice! Could you make a how to about Smart Playlists! I'm sure I (and many other people) could learn a thing or two from you about that!
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by Assais April 27, 2009 1:07 AM PDT
Hey Donald, please make a tutorial about music files, that is, the difference between audio files format, which are the best, the worst, the most popular, as well as the bit rates, how big is the difference between 128 kbps or 192 kbps? MP3 or AAC? Can we really tell the difference by using a regular earbud? Also if you could give us some tips about non Apple music players as well. Here's a question I have: can I use WMP to browse through podcasts like in iTunes? And can I play ACC files in it?

Although I've read some of your articles in the past that mentioned audio files, you never really went deep enough in that topic which I think is really important nowadays where MP3 are ubiquitous.

Thanks
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by susanb93 June 16, 2009 7:23 AM PDT
I have 8000+ songs on my Ipod, Is there a way to do a sort to find our which songs are not assigned to any playlists?
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MP3 Insider is a blog and weekly podcast created by CNET's MP3 technology experts, Donald Bell and Jasmine France. Each week, Jasmine and Donald discuss the latest digital music (and video) news, hardware, software, and media services, and address reader calls and e-mail. Send us e-mail at mp3insider@cnet.com or call us at 1-800-720-CNET (2638) and be a part of the show.

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Donald Bell Donald Bell is an electronic musician, a veteran record store employee, and a fearless hardware hacker. He's also CNET's Senior Editor for MP3 and digital audio.
Jasmine France Jasmine France is CNET's resident digital audio doyenne, writing and editing product reviews, crave blogs, and feature stories on all things MP3. And if you need advice on headphones, she's your girl.

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