The iTunes Super Guide!

This part is simple. After all, you must be adept at using the internet if you could find this guide!
The iTunes software download is available HERE.

(Click "here" to go to the page)



To download the software, simply follow the link, and on the left hand side, choose the operating system that your computer has installed (Usually Xp or Vista)
Now, Click Download iTunes Free
This should then start the download of the iTunes software onto your computer.

Install iTunes

Installing the iTunes software is just the same as installing any other piece of software onto a Computer.

1. First, find the file that you downloaded from the iTunes site.

2. Double click that file to begin the installer.

3. Follow the simple instructions to install the software.

4. You may be prompted to restart your computer. If you are, I suggest you restart before you continue to use the software.

5. iTunes is now installed. You can now begin to add music and listen at your leisure.

Here are some terms associated with music software and iTunes inparticular, and their meanings, just so it's clear.

1. Ripping - The extraction of music files from an audio CD or other device.

2. Library - Your entire collection of music available to play with the software.

3. Podcast - Either audio or video feeds that can be published by nearly anybody. Most are available to download free from the iTunes Store.

4. Playlist - A portion of the music library that has been specifically chosen and seperated from the rest of the tracks.

Before you start

Before you begin to insert all your CD's and begin the conversion process, It's probably a good idea to select the quality you want to convert your files into, as iTunes will not allow the file format (.wma). Instead, iTunes uses the .aac format, which is a high quality, Compressed format, and therefore your files will take up less space on your hard drive.

To do this, you must:

1. Select the 'Edit' toolbar, Then Preferences



The select the "Advanced" Tab, and then the "Importing" Subtab.



From here, you can select which form of encoding you are going to use for your music files.
I advise you use the iTunes conversion format (.aac)

Then, to select the highest possible quality for your music files, change the Setting To Custom... and on the dropdown menu select 320kbps.
This will give the highest possible quality of this file format.

If you want smaller file sizes and are not that bothered about the quality, you can change the kbps down to a suitable quality for you.



Now You can Begin to Rip your Collection into iTunes

It is now simple to Rip your CD's into iTunes. Simply insert your CD's into the disc drive and allow iTunes to convert your files.
These files will now be stored in the iTunes folder located in "My Music"

It will be visible straight away in your library to select and play when you like, without the CD inserted into the disc drive.

How about converting my normal music files too?

This is also possible. If you have added normal tracks such as an mp3 to your library, you can convert it to the iTunes format very easily.

Simply locate the track(s) you wish to convert in the library, and select them so that they are highlighted

Now, Right Click on these tracks and select "Convert Selection to aac"



This should set the files to begin converting, and a status bar should come up on the left hand toolbar. If you select this, you should be able to see the status of the files you are converting.

Delete the original files from the library, as you will see multiples of the songs you have converted.

These tracks will now be located in the same place as your CD tracks, in the iTunes folder in "My Music"

Consolidate your Library

This is a Quick and easy, way of taking all the music files that are not Converted and putting them all into one folder.
This function puts all your music library into the iTunes folder in My Music

To do this, simply open the iTunes application, go to the 'Advanced' toolbar, and select Consolidate Library



The confirm the consolidation when prompted:

backups of the files so that they won't be lost!

Basic Track Information

Sometimes, when music is added to the iTunes library, it is un-named to name a track, you have to go into the track options

Doing this is simple:
1. Right click on the track(s) you wish to rename.

2. Select Get Info

3. Select the Info tab.

4. Type the required information into the correct field.

See, Isn't it easy!

Sorting Your Music

It may be that your music collection seems muddled up in iTunes.
Relax, it may be that you have simply applied a strange sort field.

To select how to sort your music, you must click on the buttons above the music information:



Each of these will sort your music differently. It is up to you to how you sort your music!

Creating a Playlist

If you like to seperate your music into different sections, such as Mood Music, Rock Music etc. You may want to consider creating Playlists.

They can be useful depending on your mood.
Anyway, here's how to create one on iTunes.

1. Click the File toolbar and select New Playlist...

2. Rename Your playlist when it appears in the left bar, under the Playlists tab.

3. To add Music to your playlist, either:
i: Select the music, and drag and drop it onto the playlist.



ii: Right click the tracks you want to add to the playlist, and select "Add To Playlist" from the dropdown menu. Then select the playlist you wish to add the tracks to.



How to Burn a CD on iTunes

This is easy now you know how to make a playlist.
This is how you burn a CD in iTunes

1. Make a new playlist

2. Add the Music you wish to be on the CD to the playlist.

3. Right Click The playlist you wish to burn, and select "Burn Playlist to disc" from the dropdown.



[OR]

3. On the playlist screen, In the Bottom Right Hand Corner is a button "Burn Disc". Click this button to burn the disc.



4. Make sure a blank CD is in the drive, and allow iTunes to burn the selection to CD.

Registration

The iTunes store has thousands and thousands of tracks available, aswell as much more other content.

To use the store is easy.

First, you have to Create an Account
This is where you give your basic information and a payment method for the tracks you order.

To do this, click Sign In In the top left corner of the store.
Then select Create New Account and follow the steps given in the registration form.

How To Find The Music

You may be looking for something specific...
In this case, use the Search Function located in the top left.

You should be able to find what you are looking for fairly easily.

You can preview a 30 second clip of the song before you buy on iTunes to select what you want.
This is very useful as it gives you an idea of what you are buying.

To purchase a track, click the Buy Song button that is located in the price column.

iTunes will then charge you for the song, and download it to your purchased playlist, which you will find underneath the iTunes Store tab.

The music you download will also automatically be added to your music library along with your other tracks.