iTunes is one of the best known and most used tools for downloading and listening to music. If you are not used to using this program, however, adding new music to your library can be quite difficult. This guide shows you how to import your music into your iTunes library from various sources, and how to market and sell your music through the iTunes store.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Import Music from a CD
Step 1. Open iTunes
Allow the program to start completely.
Step 2. Insert a CD into your CD or DVD drive
After iTunes has finished booting, insert an audio CD into your computer's drive. Wait a few seconds for iTunes to detect the optical media. If your computer is connected to the internet, iTunes will automatically search for information about the inserted CD and store it in your library. If not, the program may ask you to connect your computer to the web or continue by skipping this step.
The information that iTunes automatically downloads when connected to the web includes the album name, artist, individual track titles, composer knowledge, and album cover
Step 3. Import the songs
A pop-up window will appear asking you if you want to import the audio tracks on the CD. If this is your will, press the "Yes" button: all the tracks will be added to your library. If you want to import only some specific songs, press the "No" button and manually deselect the check button next to the songs you don't want to import. When you have finished making your selection, press the "Import CD" button located in the lower right corner of the screen.
iTunes may provide you with a second dialog for other import options. The default import settings are already selected, but you can change them to suit your needs if you wish
Step 4. Wait for the tracks to be imported
The program will show the progress related to the import of each single track via a loading bar located at the top of the screen. Depending on the size of the CD you are importing, the process could take anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour. When the import process is complete, iTunes will notify you with a short beep.
Step 5. Check the import result
Go to your iTunes library and scroll through the list of songs until you find the ones you imported from the CD. Check that the information relating to the CD, as well as information relating to each individual track, has been imported correctly. Otherwise you can add them manually by selecting a track with the right mouse button and choosing the "Get Info" option from the context menu that appeared.
Method 2 of 4: Import Music from Your Computer
Step 1. Open iTunes
Wait for the program to complete its startup procedure before attempting to add new songs.
Step 2. Access iTunes preferences
If the "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when added to library" box is checked, the music will not only be added to your library, it will also be copied to an appropriate folder on your computer. By opening the "Advanced" tab from the "Preferences" of iTunes, accessible through the "File" menu, it will be possible to activate and deactivate this option.
Step 3. Locate the "Add to Library" option
You will then be able to move songs from your computer to iTunes through a very simple process. If you are using a Mac, this option is available by accessing the "File" menu and selecting the "Add to library" item. If you are using a Windows system, access the "File" menu and choose "Add file to library" or "Add folder to library". The first option is for importing single files, while the second is used when you have an entire folder of audio files that you want to add to your iTunes library.
Step 4. Navigate to the file or folder in question
Locate the MP3 files you want to upload from another location on your computer. You can select more than one object in the same folder by holding down the "Shift" or "Ctrl" key. In the first case you can perform a multiple selection of contiguous elements with a simple click, while in the second you can perform a multiple selection of non-contiguous elements by choosing each single element with a click of the mouse.
- You can import files in the following formats: "AAC", "MP3", "WAV", "AIFF", "Apple Lossless" or "Audible.com".
- The Windows version of iTunes is also capable of converting WMA files to one of the above formats during the import process to the library.
Step 5. Add the audio file or folder
Select the item in question with a double click of the mouse, or press the "Open" or "Add" button in the dialog box. Since the files you are importing already exist on your computer (unlike the previous method of importing from CD), the process of transferring the selected songs to your iTunes library should only take a minute (or less).
Step 6. Check the import result
Go to your iTunes library and scroll through the song list until you find the newly added file or album. Check that the album information, including artist name, song titles, cover art and album name, has been imported correctly along with all the songs that are part of it. Otherwise you can add them manually by selecting a track with the right mouse button and choosing the "Get Info" option from the context menu that appeared.
Method 3 of 4: Purchase Music from iTunes
Step 1. Open iTunes
Wait for the program to complete the startup procedure before changing or selecting any options.
Step 2. Go to the iTunes Store
At the top right of the iTunes window you should see a button labeled "Store". Press it and wait for iTunes to load the main page of its store. The button in question is different from the drop-down menu of the same name on the iTunes menu bar, between the "File" and "Edit" menus, located in the upper part of the program window.
Step 3. Search the iTunes Store
After the main Store page has fully loaded, you will be able to choose from several options to search for new content. Along the top of the window you will find multiple drop-down menus, containing various options including music genres, audio books and podcasts for you to browse. If you are looking for a specific song or artist, you can use the search bar located at the top right.
Step 4. Purchase and download the desired content
Once you have located the item you wish to purchase or download, press the relevant "Buy" button. The price of the selected content should appear next to the button. iTunes will ask you to authenticate by entering your Apple ID login ID and password to proceed with the purchase. Once you have entered all the required information correctly, press the "Finish" button.
Step 5. Wait for the content to download
When you access your iTunes library again, you will see a progress bar at the top of the window that will tell you the download status of the purchased content. Until the download has finished, you will not be able to access this file. The time required for the download varies based on the size of the file and the speed of your internet connection.
Method 4 of 4: Sell Your Music Through the iTunes Store
Step 1. Give your music a professional look
Before releasing your album via suitable channels, you need to make sure it is complete and presentable. Create an album cover, enter all song titles and, if necessary, add a description.
- Selling music on iTunes can be quite simple even for amateur artists, although it faces a lot of competition. Your chances of success will greatly increase by making sure your songs are presented at their best.
- If you have no experience with mastering and don't know how to optimize your songs to commercial standards, get a professional to do it for you.
Step 2. Make sure your music meets the standards
Convert files to "WAV" format, using a sampling rate of 44.1kHz at 16-bit. You can convert from iTunes by importing them into your library using the "WAV" encoder and customizing the sampling settings.
Step 3. Add the final details
Before you can submit your album to one of the distributors online to help you publish your music on the iTunes Store, you'll also need to enter a cover art and all song titles.
- Remember that you must have the copyright for the image you intend to use as the cover.
- The cover image must be in-j.webp" />
Step 4. Get a UPC code
Before you can sell your album you must necessarily catalog it through a UPC code. Fortunately, getting one is pretty easy: you can get a UPC code by registering directly on the Uniform Code Council website, or you can contact a CD manufacturer or distributor and ask them if they also provide a service of this type (this second option may turn out to be the cheaper choice). You can also get a UPC code by contacting the many music distributors present online, such as "CD Baby" or "DiscMakers" (the latter could be the cheapest option ever).
Step 5. Fill out Apple's online application form
Working directly with Apple normally requires support from a professional record company or a level of experience sufficient to prove that you are a professional. If you are not qualified to work directly with Apple, you can enlist the help of third parties.
Step 6. Locate an Apple Certified Distributor (optional)
If you are unable to get through the above step on your own, get in touch with an Apple-certified distributor or third-party distribution service that, for a reasonable cost, will allow you to optimize and distribute your music. Enter Apple's service request page to locate a list of certified distributors. There are many to choose from; each offers different services at different prices, "TuneCore", "CDBaby" and "Songcast" being the most used.
- Usually, with these distributors you will have to bear a certain cost for the service, but there are others such as "ADEDistribution" which offer a limited free service, with the possibility of purchasing additional options for a fee.
- If you are looking for a music distributor, choose a company that allows you to remain the copyright owner of your music. If you agree to assign the rights to your music, you will no longer be able to modify it or use it as you wish.
- Distributors that allow you to keep all - or almost all - of the copyright are preferred, as they will allow you to receive a greater income from every single sale.
- Read the notes written at the bottom of the contract. No matter how popular or used the chosen distributor is: before subscribing to the service, it is always good to read the agreement in full, including the small footnotes relating to costs, taxation and legal aspects. If you are unable to understand the legal implications of the contract, contact a trusted person who can help you or have a professional lawyer to review it carefully.
