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30 Most Recent RSS FeedUPDATED: Convert and Replace v2.4
Convert and Replace v2.4 will convert the files of the selected tracks using an iTunes encoder chosen on-the-fly (each encoder's current Preferences-set options will be in effect) and replace the original tracks throughout the playlists of your entire library with the newly converted versions. Additionally, you can opt to Trash/delete or keep the original files and tracks.
This latest version will stay running and not quit after conversion (registered version), monitors changes to the selection of tracks and removes the ability to select a playlist of tracks.
Interestingly, a Correspondent inquired if the script could be modified to accommodate two conversions. Here's why: he wanted to convert 24 bit depth/48 kHz audio files (downloaded from Bandcamp) to Apple Lossless. But Apple Lossless conversion retains the original bit depth and sample rate, defeating the purpose (to some extent) of converting to a smaller file format. So he uses the script to convert these files to 16 bit/44.1 kHz AIFF files first and then again to convert them to ALAC.
Performing two conversions back-to-back automatically with different encoders would be a bit of a stretch for the script. So, as a compromise, I have let it stay open after conversion (at least for registered users) so that the original set of tracks remains the Source if a second conversion of them is required.
A registration code for Convert and Replace is $1.99 and it's free to demo for ten days; it's a free upgrade for current users. It can be downloaded from this page.
iTunes Folder Missing?
A couple of Correspondents have reported that fresh installations of Sierra do not have a "iTunes" folder in the User Library folder (~/Library/iTunes/). Traditionally, this folder contains the "iTunes Plug-Ins" folder and the "Scripts" folder (see my Download FAQ page for more details). Additionally, some third-party apps may use this folder for caching their own iTunes-related files. However, the "Scripts" folder is not created automatically and needs to be created by the user; and I believe Apple has lately inhibited the use of third-party visualizers such that the "iTunes Plug-Ins" folder may no longer be necessary. Perhaps, therefore, the ~/Library/iTunes/ folder is not created automatically anymore either.
To repeat: this seems to affect clean installs of the latest Sierra and iTunes 12.6 and later. If you already have these folders configured on your machine they will not disappear when you upgrade the operating system—at least, that's been my experience.
iTunes still looks for AppleScript files in this location to make them available in its Script menu, so if your system isn't configured with the ~/Library/iTunes/ folder you will have to create the intermediate "iTunes" folder there and then the "Scripts" folder within it.
AppleScripts can also be installed in the /Library/iTunes/Scripts/ folder—that's the [startup disk]/Library/ folder and putting AppleScripts here makes them available to all Users. Again, the "Scripts" folder may have to be created by the user.
AppleScripts will appear in the system-wide Script menu in the Menu Bar when they are installed in ~/Library/Scripts/Applications/iTunes/ for the single User or /Library/Scripts/Applications/iTunes/ for all Users.
Apple Releases iTunes 12.6.1
Apple has released iTunes 12.6.1 with "minor app and performance improvements". Updates for each operating system were also released today. More as it develops.
The Next Track, Episode 52 - It Was A Very Good Year
We observe our first anniversary with a look back at some of our most interesting and popular episodes.
We've also posted a brief survey that we invite you to fill out. It won't take more than a minute or two of your time and will help us plan future episodes. Here is the link to the survey, Thanks!
You can listen to the episode at The Next Track website here or subscribe here in iTunes to make sure you get all future episodes.
UPDATED: Drop A Few My Way v4.0
It's been five years since I last updated Drop A Few My Way which is now at version 4.0. This script is a droplet that converts audio files dropped on it using an iTunes encoder selected on-the-fly and saves the converted files to a user-selected location or adjacent to the source file. The tracks created during the process are removed from iTunes. I keep it in the Toolbar of my Finder windows for quick access when I just need to quickly convert a file or three without having to add it to iTunes and later clean out the detritus.
This latest version of Drop A Few My Way is a general update for macOS 10.10 and later and is free to use with a donation requested.
M3Unify v1.8.0
M3Unify is a simple file managing app that can copy and arrange audio files to a selected folder, volume or portable media. Tracks can be dragged from iTunes or files can be dragged from the Finder. When loaded in M3Unify, a set of flexible exporting options enables you to arrange your music files the way you and your music player want.
With M3Unify you can:
- Copy files of tracks dragged from iTunes or the Finder to a selected folder
- Rename copied files using substitution patterns based on track tags
- Create Album or Artist/Album sub-folders based on track tags
- Export album artwork as "folder.jpg" files, one per Album sub-folder
- Create an M3U playlist
- Format M3U Extended track information using substitution patterns based on track tags
- Optionally convert files to AAC files (or MP3 files via iTunes)
Plus, these features:
- M3U preview
- Track information and Quick Look auditioning
- Uncluttered, easy-to-use interface
- On-board and online help
This latest version adds a preferences option to rename files and sub-folders using strictly limited alphanumeric character set; improves handling of .AIFC files; other enhancements and performace fixes.
M3Unify is $5, free for current registered users, video demo after the jump, download is on this page. (more…)
Current Scripts and Playlist Window
While I like having playlist windows restored in iTunes 12.6, their return is somewhat problematic for many of my scripts. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I spent a few years stripping out references to playlist window in many scripts, particularly the ones that need to access a selection of tracks. In many cases, these scripts can only recognize tracks selected in the main window (the browser window) and cannot recognize a selection of tracks in a playlist window.
I'm updating scripts to accommodate playlist window track selection, but this will take some time to roll out.
In the meantime, be aware that some scripts will need you to select tracks in the main iTunes window. Tracks selected in a playlist window will be ignored.
Close a Playlist Window and Select Its Playlist
If it really drives you crazy that after closing a playlist window iTunes is compelled to put focus on the entire Music library, use the following script to close the frontmost playlist window and thereafter select the playlist it had contained in the main window:
tell application "iTunes"
try
set frontPlaylistWindow to front playlist window
set thePlaylist to view of frontPlaylistWindow
close frontPlaylistWindow
reveal thePlaylist
end try
end tell
Click on the little AppleScript icon above to open the script in Script Editor at your house—don't copy the text in the browser.
Save the script as a Compiled ".scpt" with Script Editor named whatever you like in your [home]/Library/iTunes/Scripts/ folder so it can be launched from the iTunes Script menu. You may want to assign it a keyboard shortcut.
When run, it will get a reference to the front playlist window; if none is open, the script will fail silently. It will proceed to get a reference to the playlist contained by the playlist window, close the playlist window and finally select (reveal) the playlist.
iTunes 12.6.0.100
Apple has released another update to iTunes. The 12.6 release the other day was version 12.6.0.95. This new release is 12.6.0.100.
This has happened previously. Apple released iTunes 12.5.0.63 on August 2, 2016 and then released 12.5.0.68 a short time thereafter—I think it was certainly by August 12.
Sometimes you just don't know how something is going to work until it's tossed into the wild. And you have to appreciate Apple's short turnaround.
Playlist Windows
iTunes 12.6 has brought back Playlist windows and, judging from the reaction in my Twitter feed, they're receiving a hearty welcome back. Couple of things, though: 1) The names of the open Playlist windows are not listed in the iTunes "Window" menu and 2) window names are blank for any Apple Music playlists opened as Playlist windows; they actually default to the name "iTunes" but this isn't displayed either To be clear, the AppleScript name for the window of a subscription playlist is "iTunes" and not the name of the playlist. (Update: And now I'm not seeing this at all and all seems correct as far as names go; don't know what I was seeing previously!)
I'm not so much concerned about the latter thing. But if you have a batch of Playlist windows open it can be an ordeal to select one you'd like to work in. This script will list all open Playlist windows in a choose from list panel so one can be chosen and then made frontmost:
tell application "iTunes"
if (count of playlist windows) < 2 then return
set windowList to playlist windows
set nameList to name of view of playlist windows
try
set chosenName to (choose from list nameList)
if chosenName is false then error
on error
return
end try
set chosenName to (chosenName as text)
repeat with i from 1 to (count of nameList)
if chosenName is item i of nameList then select item i of windowList
end repeat
end tell
Click on the little AppleScript icon above to open the script in Script Editor at your house—don't copy the text in the browser.
Save the script as a compiled Script (".scpt") with Script Editor named whatever you like in your [home]/Library/iTunes/Scripts/ folder. When there are too many Playlist windows open and you can't find any real estate to click on, launch the script to select the one you want brought to the front.
(Update: Of course, after I post this I immediately discovered that you can Command-tilde (~) through open Playlist windows.)
