Advanced iTunes: Smart Playlists and multiple libraries

Continuing our sporadically added-to series of iTunes guides, here's a collection of four more-than-just-the-basics tips for getting more out of the software -- multiple libraries on a single machine, the best uses for Smart Playlists, getting true CD-quality rips from your CD, and tips for getting perfect album art.

For reference, we're using iTunes 8.2 on both Mac and PC, unless otherwise stated.

You didn't, but we assumed you might ask: "How can I have multiple iTunes libraries on my PC?"

Your kids, perhaps, have an iPod each, want their own iTunes libraries, but have to share the family PC with you and your iPod. This means you need three or more separate libraries. It's actually really, really easy, despite what you may've heard.

We're assuming you've already got one iTunes library. We'll call that 'Library 1', and work on creating 'Library 2'. First, close iTunes completely. Then go to the Start Menu and find the iTunes entry. Hold the right-hand shift key and keep it held down as you click to open iTunes, and keep holding it afterwards.

In a couple of seconds a box will pop up allowing you to either 'Choose Library...' or 'Create Library...'. Obviously, in future, you'll use the choose library option to select one of your many libraries, but for now click to create a library.

Now just give your new library a name and save it somewhere you'll remember in future. And that's it! You can repeat this process for each new library you need, each of which can have its own iPod synced to it. Just use the choose library option to pick your own library whenever you load iTunes.

Next: Smart Playlists...

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