iTunes/Mix CDs

Select all the tracks on the disc

Under 'Advanced,' select 'Join CD Tracks'

Then do your importing

http://www.malcolmadams.com/itunes/

Supposedly, it allows you to join most any tracks in an iTunes playlist (Apple's built-in feature allows only consecutive tracks on a CD to be joined). But I've had only limited success with it.

So I made a mix (playlist) in iTunes that I would subsequently like to ysi (never forget) to friends, but I can't change the data on the tracks without altering the data permanently in the library. I tried moving the files out of iTunes and changing the info then reimporting and this worked for the mp3s, but there are 4 m4a files that keep reverting to the old data on importing.

Is there an easier way to do this in iTunes? I've googled but most results that come up are regarding how to get rid of duplicates in iTunes. I essentially want to create editable duplicates.

If I understand what you're asking about, then here's a strategy I've used: copy the original file to your desktop; then edit the entry for the song in iTunes to whatever you want; then reimport the one you copied to your desktop.

copy selected files to folder? then rename with "01" at beginning of first track, etc.

http://dougscripts.com/itunes/scripts/ss.php?sp=filestofolder

if you want the metadata to be different, you can reimport those songs into a new playlist and change it there

Yeah I tried copying the files out to a folder on the desktop and changed the filenames, but iTunes still recognized the reimported tracks as the originals (in other words, it didn't even bother importing based on what I don't know). So I tried changing the metadata in vlc and this worked for the mp3 files but there were 4 aac files (not purchased or restricted in any way) that still wouldn't import after changing the metadata.

As I understand it Euler, you change the data on the original files then import the copies?

wmlynch that doesn't make any sense to me. if they're different files on the disk, in a different location, itunes should import them twice.

the solution i guess is to change the metadata without using itunes - "media rage" is a good one for mac, not sure about windows

Yah, I agree, it doesn't make any sense. But there is seriously no way in iTunes to do this right? It has to be done outside the program then reimported?

On looking at this again, I suspect that vlc can't handle tagging the aac files and so no new data is being saved thus the files look exactly the same to iTunes. I'ma try a different program.

Is it possible to cut up tracks in iTunes?

yeah, sorry: iTunes will recognize the copied files as the originals, but after you copy you can just change the metadata (in iTunes) of the one still in your library and then reimporting the original is no problem---if I've understood what you want to do well enough.

I don't think you can cut up tracks in iTunes (by my understanding of "cut up"). Maybe someday there'll be a program, sort of a super iTunes (as Aperture stands in relation to iPhoto) that lets you tinker more.

"mp3 trimmer" is a very handy program

plus it makes your dick look bigger