Music

Question

Level 1

4 points

Music

I am afraid to buy music from iTunes because the last purchase resulted with a bad trip to the Genius Bar where I temporary lost my entire iTunes library and an encounter with a Smart White Gloves Tech later who restored my library. But problems that wasn't present before this mishap continues. 1. All songs have been returned plus over 2000 doubles and triples that wasn't there before. 2. Albums cover artworks are missing & newly added covers do not match artists or songs. 3. the original date of purchased and downloads are missing with the majority of dates now the date I got my music back. 4. Purchased songs total 278. Original it was over 2800, but it seems that all the purchased songs are there but listed in other places. 4. Detailed information, that I added for artists & albums are incorrect with some songs. 5. All my personal playlist have vanished. I am very grateful to get my iTunes library back, but it will take me a long time to restore my collection to where it was before this unfortunate incident. I will try to correct these problems without iTunes help. A 20 year collection may take 20 years to repair. I hope not. I still want to add/buy music but afraid to use iTunes. Also I know I need to update the software but every time I did something would go wrong. One time I lost my photos but a visit to the Genius Bar saved me that time. How can I buy music from another outlet & include the songs in my iTunes library? Whoever is listening, thank you for your time and help in this matter

iMac, macOS 10.13

Posted on Dec 31, 2022 12:11 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

ed2345

Level 9

63,416 points

Dec 31, 2022 06:13 PM in response to azebra4real

How can I buy music from another outlet & include the songs in my iTunes library?

Close iTunes or Music. Use your browser to go to the site that sells the music, such as Amazon Digital Music, Bandcamp, etc. Download the tracks in MP3 format from that site.

Once the MP3s are safely on your computer, open iTunes or Music. Add the MP3s to your library as described in here: Import music from a computer to Music on Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 2

azebra4real Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 15, 2023 09:29 AM in response to ed2345

Thank you for your help. I guess I should have asked is there a USB flash drive that accepts bought iTunes songs and videos and can be played on any device, like a car with a USB outlet or an audio receiver? You have been very helpful with your reply.

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Answer 3

ed2345

Level 9

63,416 points

Jan 15, 2023 06:46 PM in response to azebra4real

Zebra,

Purchased song downloads from the iTunes Store are in AAC audio format. Most car players can play AAC without a problem. You can double-check with the info for the player.

You can copy the songs from the computer where you downloaded them onto the flash drive, and then use the flash drive in your player. Pretty music any flash drive will do. Flash drives can be obtained at Best Buy, Amazon, Staples, etc.

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Answer 4

azebra4real Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 29, 2023 01:08 PM in response to ed2345

Thanks for responding to my questions. I appreciate this helpful information. Continuing, What's the difference between Protected AAC audio file, Purchased AAC audio file and Mastered for iTunes? Also, why does these kind of purchased iTunes songs do not play on a USB flash drive? Which USB flash drive does? Thanks....

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Answer 5

ed2345

Level 9

63,416 points

Jan 29, 2023 01:52 PM in response to azebra4real

azebra4real wrote:

Thanks for responding to my questions. I appreciate this helpful information. Continuing, What's the difference between Protected AAC audio file, Purchased AAC audio file and Mastered for iTunes? Also, why does these kind of purchased iTunes songs do not play on a USB flash drive? Which USB flash drive does? Thanks....

Zebra,

"AAC" is advanced Audio Coding. It tells how the music is encoded into bits for the digital file. AAC serves the same purpose as its better known cousin MP3.

"Protected" means the file has embedded security, specifically so that it can only be used in an Apple device that is authorized to a specific Apple ID.

"Mastered for iTunes" has nothing to do with protected or not. It means that the music was mastered according to a set of production standards prescribed by Apple, to get the best audio quality.

Per your last question, the issue will not be the flash drive, but the player in which you play the files. If the files are protected, they will not play in a non-Apple player.

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