Using an iPod is easy once you know how. Follow the tips in this article and you'll be uploading music (games, videos, audiobooks, podcasts) like an expert.
1) Load the music files onto your computer
Where are your music files? For a lot of new nano owners the answer is "on my CDs." If so, you'll want to make the files available to your computer. Most people start by copying the files from CDs onto the computer's hard disk. Note: If you use iTunes and have selected "Copy files to iTunes music folder," it's enough to just have the CD in your computer's CD drive.
2) Bring the music files into your iPod manager software
You'll use an "iPod manager" application to handle moving files to and from the iPod. Apple's free iTunes software is the iPod manager most of us use. You're welcome to look at the other options -- Wikipedia has a pretty good list. If you're new to iPods I suggest you start with iTunes. Once you know what you do and don't like about iTunes you'll be in a better position to decide whether you want to look for a different iPod manager.
It's important to know that you can download music from any vendor (Amazon, eMusic, etc) and still use iTunes to move files around. You don't have to buy from the iTunes store unless you want to.
If you like to be able to find all your iPod music in one location on your computer, set up iTunes to copy all files into the library location. It's an easy configuration: choose Edit, Preferences, Advanced from the menu and click the "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library." This is handy if you're going to pull music from CDs -- let iTunes manage copying the files off the CD for you.
Okay, you're ready to import the music to iTunes. There's several ways to import, but the most common is to click (from the top menu) File, Add Folder to Library, and find and select the directory that contains your music. Click the "OK" button to add the music to the library's music list. You can also use the Control + O keys and select single files to add.
3) Connect up the iPod
You probably already did this, but just in case: connect your iPod nano to your computer with the the USB cable that came with your nano. You'll know the connection's successful when the left-hand menu in iTunes shows your iPod.
Now, decide if you want to let iTunes handle synchronizing with your iPod or if you want to handle things manually. I like the "manually manage" approach -- it lets me decide which files to move to my nano. It also lets me synch up different computers to just one iPod.
4) Now to upload music to that iPod nano
If you decide to let iTunes manage the uploads, click your iPod's icon and select "Sync" in the lower right corner.
If you decided to manage uploading manually you have a one-time setup to complete. Click your iPod's icon and select the "Manually manage music and videos" checkbox on the iTunes screen. Now, select the music you want and drag it onto the iPod icon.
5) Be sure to eject your iPod
Never disconnect your iPod nano without ejecting it first. Not taking that extra minute risks corrupting the files. Eject from iTunes by clicking the button at bottom right of the screen.
6) Time for more music!
If you've followed these steps you know how to upload music to your nano. Time to download more games, videos, books, and music for your nano. See my web site for suggestions of where to find great downloads for reasonable prices.
1) Load the music files onto your computer
Where are your music files? For a lot of new nano owners the answer is "on my CDs." If so, you'll want to make the files available to your computer. Most people start by copying the files from CDs onto the computer's hard disk. Note: If you use iTunes and have selected "Copy files to iTunes music folder," it's enough to just have the CD in your computer's CD drive.
2) Bring the music files into your iPod manager software
You'll use an "iPod manager" application to handle moving files to and from the iPod. Apple's free iTunes software is the iPod manager most of us use. You're welcome to look at the other options -- Wikipedia has a pretty good list. If you're new to iPods I suggest you start with iTunes. Once you know what you do and don't like about iTunes you'll be in a better position to decide whether you want to look for a different iPod manager.
It's important to know that you can download music from any vendor (Amazon, eMusic, etc) and still use iTunes to move files around. You don't have to buy from the iTunes store unless you want to.
If you like to be able to find all your iPod music in one location on your computer, set up iTunes to copy all files into the library location. It's an easy configuration: choose Edit, Preferences, Advanced from the menu and click the "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library." This is handy if you're going to pull music from CDs -- let iTunes manage copying the files off the CD for you.
Okay, you're ready to import the music to iTunes. There's several ways to import, but the most common is to click (from the top menu) File, Add Folder to Library, and find and select the directory that contains your music. Click the "OK" button to add the music to the library's music list. You can also use the Control + O keys and select single files to add.
3) Connect up the iPod
You probably already did this, but just in case: connect your iPod nano to your computer with the the USB cable that came with your nano. You'll know the connection's successful when the left-hand menu in iTunes shows your iPod.
Now, decide if you want to let iTunes handle synchronizing with your iPod or if you want to handle things manually. I like the "manually manage" approach -- it lets me decide which files to move to my nano. It also lets me synch up different computers to just one iPod.
4) Now to upload music to that iPod nano
If you decide to let iTunes manage the uploads, click your iPod's icon and select "Sync" in the lower right corner.
If you decided to manage uploading manually you have a one-time setup to complete. Click your iPod's icon and select the "Manually manage music and videos" checkbox on the iTunes screen. Now, select the music you want and drag it onto the iPod icon.
5) Be sure to eject your iPod
Never disconnect your iPod nano without ejecting it first. Not taking that extra minute risks corrupting the files. Eject from iTunes by clicking the button at bottom right of the screen.
6) Time for more music!
If you've followed these steps you know how to upload music to your nano. Time to download more games, videos, books, and music for your nano. See my web site for suggestions of where to find great downloads for reasonable prices.
About the Author:
Wondering where to find top-notch music and game downloads? Read Lydia Vaughn's review of the best sites for downloads for your iPod nano at Nanos Reviewed. You can get a unique content version of this article from the Uber Article Directory.
