Trying to break free from iTunes and Syncing!

The Lounge General Discussion
1

Hey, so I am looking for a program (Mac and PC, but mostly PC since I am moving back to Windows) to rip CDs and tag the files with artwork. Ever since I switched to Android the idea of simply dragging your music onto a memory card seems amazing, why the hell did I ever accept and defend that garbage “syncing” technology. However, for some reason what I tagged in ITunes isn’t recognized (the CDs that I ripped) for some reason only the CDs that I ripped in AAC are recognized (I mean their album covers), maybe it’s just a quirk ITunes does.

I just want to go back to pre-iTunes days and be in control of my music and drag and drop it anywhere I please, as well as be able to tag my mp3 collection with custom artwork that will be recognized by all devices. Basically I want to re-rip and re-organize my music again so I can buy it from many places besides iTunes.

I appreciate any advice here, thanks.

2

I used to have

  • CDEx for ripping
  • mp3Tag-it for mp3 tag
3

Checked them out. Really like that tagging app. Thanks.

4

foobar2000 is so good, I like it so much I’ve gone through the hurdles of getting it to run on mac.

Amazing mass-tagging capabilities, integration with discogs for lookups, awesome file renaming/moving system, totally customisable, super lightweight, and an incredibly powerful file converter as well.

5

Foobar is amazing, can’t believe how fast it can search my 500gb music library.

6

foobar2000 is king, agreed!

however, for people still living with iOS, I recommend two things:

  • iTunes Match (cloud-based music syncing without itunes-iOS tethering)
  • Kingston Mobilelite Wireless G3 (access SD cards and USB sticks with iOS devces)
7

Wow, hold your respective horses people! You are saying Foobar can tag things?! And connvert?! I used to have Foobar when I was on PC and it was my favorite player EVER. I will be re-installing it ASAP when I am back on Windows

8

I believe you can still use iTunes and manage your files by hand.
Just uncheck those settings in preferences:

  • ‘Keep iTunes Media folder organized’
  • 'Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library.
9

Yes
Just be sure to get the plugins you need

foobar2000: Components Repository - iPod manager (iPod manager but can be a bit to get to work right with newer models)

10

I used foobar for a long time, it is indeed great. I stopped due to some kind of issue - I don’t even remember what it was. Been happily using musicbee for some years since.

11

I use Rapid Evolution 2 for tagging and identifying key and bpm, which is useful if you DJ. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but I have developed a great workflow for tagging/importing new tracks into my library. I still use itunes for regular playing/syncing with iphone.

http://www.mixshare.com/software.html

12

Have always found Media Monkey really useful and reliable.

13

Foobar here too! Love it.

If I could derail the thread here for just a brief moment…

Does anyone know of plugin/mod in Foobar which when you play a track it’ll maximize the music art to take up the whole screen? I love big vinyl artwork and missing it when playing music via foobar.

Ok. Sorry. Back to.

14

https://www.dbpoweramp.com/

15

The problem I have with iTunes is that it keeps constantly updating it’s GUI and removing features without you knowing. I can’t rely on a piece of software that does that.