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[Tonybro]

I have had my fill of iTunes as an application on Windows10!

I have uninstalled it.

Therefore I have a question - how do I manage my old iTunes library?

I know I can import my iTunes library to MC26 but it MERGES it with my existing library so I end up with duplicated entries under artists and albums (FLAC track and m4a track).

I obviously don't want this so my question is: -

a) Can I have two separate libraries under MC and switch between them?

OR

b) Can I have two instances of MC in the same Windows installation and run those with separate libraries - I don't think so?

I do have a Windows 7 virtual machine I can install MC26 into and that would be a solution but I don't want to have to boot up a VM just to sync an iPod...

Thanks for any input, ideas or other options.

[wer]

You can have two libraries, but why would you want to or need to?  It's not the best practice, and MC's views make it unnecessary.

The point of having itunes in the first place was two-fold: accessing their store through the app, and syncing your i-device.  Since you have uninstalled itunes, you can do neither of those things anymore.

So what's the point of maintaining your "itunes library" at all?

If you tell us what you actually want to accomplish functionally, you'd receive better guidance.

If you just want to maintain the m4a files (why? since you have flac) then you needn't have your MC library cluttered with duplicates of everything.  I suggest you read up on the concept of Stacks, which lets you maintain multiple versions of songs easily.
https://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/Stacks

[Tonybro]

Thanks for the reply, Wer, much appreciated.

I have found the ability to have a separate library that doesn't interfere and have a solution by doing that and importing the remote iTunes library into the new library created. This allows me to open MC, switch from my FLAC library - used for local and media streaming - to my iTunes library, sync one of the four iPods or three iPhones. Disconnect and then switch the library back.

As to the question of why would I need to do it - is simple. I use the libraries for separate purposes: -

FLAC library is my high res source for local use and streaming (across my home LAN) and syncing to a High Res audio player that will take my 24bit/96kHz FLAC files

iTunes library is just for phones/iPods mainly for use outside the home - I rarely buy stuff from Apple hence no need for iTunes.

Thanks for the pointer on "Stacks" but I want to keep the two elements physically as well as logically separate and it appears the library switching will fulfil the purpose for the infrequent use I will make of it for syncing a device.

[JimH]

You can set up a second library under File > Library > Library Manager.

[Awesome Donkey]

iTunes library is just for phones/iPods mainly for use outside the home - I rarely buy stuff from Apple hence no need for iTunes.

It's worth mentioning that if you're using devices that run iOS (e.g. iPhones, iPod Touches, etc.) you'll still need iTunes to manage them as MC doesn't support sync/management with iOS devices.

[Tonybro]

Thanks, Jim and Awesome Donkey.

Yes the iOS devices can't be managed by MC but I don't need them to. I just need them to sync with the iTunes music library to ensure the items are on the devices but without using iTunes itself.

I tested a device today (iPod) by creating a new library in MC called "iTunes Library" (unsurprisingly), pointed that at my iTunes library location on my hard drive and imported the items. Once imported and playing through MC, I connected the iPod (Model MB147, running 1.1.2 PC as the OS version - 80GB unit) and set it to sync to the new library and it has worked fine.

Once I disconnect, I switch the library back to my main one and I'm back to normal.

I can't see me using the iTunes Library more than a few times a year but it keeps things tidy and separate.

Thanks for the input everyone.