iTunes

[DMX Will]

iTunes, iTunes, iTunes.

I'm thinking about going down the route of iTunes to get the odd track, but still mainly going to be a "pop down to wollies and buy the single" kinda guy.

Few questions, as I've only ever used the program to update my iPod, and i've never used the store.

a) I'm right in thinking I can burn any tracks i download from the store to CD using itunes legally? How many times can I burn them?

b) What format are the downloaded files, I presume they're the horrible iTunes file format? If so, how do I get Tracktor to play these? or is it impossible? (Baring in mind, I wont be downloading on my "dj pc" as I don't connect it to the internet at all.)

c) Can I burn a track from iTunes, and then rip it legally to an MP3, like I could a shop-bought CD?

Thanks guys :) :d

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

a) I'm right in thinking I can burn any tracks i download from the store to CD using itunes legally? How many times can I burn them?

Not sure how many times, but you can burn CDs legally.


b) What format are the downloaded files, I presume they're the horrible iTunes file format? If so, how do I get Tracktor to play these? or is it impossible? (Baring in mind, I wont be downloading on my "dj pc" as I don't connect it to the internet at all.)

They are AAC format and you can't legally change the format at the moment. However if you burn a CD and then re-rip it.....;)

[PropellerHeadCase]

iTunes, iTunes, iTunes.

I'm thinking about going down the route of iTunes to get the odd track, but still mainly going to be a "pop down to wollies and buy the single" kinda guy.

Few questions, as I've only ever used the program to update my iPod, and i've never used the store.

a) I'm right in thinking I can burn any tracks i download from the store to CD using itunes legally? How many times can I burn them?

b) What format are the downloaded files, I presume they're the horrible iTunes file format? If so, how do I get Tracktor to play these? or is it impossible? (Baring in mind, I wont be downloading on my "dj pc" as I don't connect it to the internet at all.)

c) Can I burn a track from iTunes, and then rip it legally to an MP3, like I could a shop-bought CD?

Thanks guys :) :d

I don't know about you, in the UK, but on iTunes in NZ it works out cheaper to buy the single track from iTunes but if the CD-single has a half-decent remix (or more) on it then it's better to buy the CD-single - just on a cost per track basis.

I think the international standard is 5 burns per download.

The files are in the iTunes format and can only be burnt to CD from iTunes. There is nothing physically stopping you from ripping the CD to MP3 once created but I don't think that your agreement with iTunes (when you sign up) allows for that, otherwise they wouldn't bother with that format, would they? However it does seem ridiculous that they haven't made allowances for DigiJ's

[DMX Will]

They are AAC format and you can't legally change the format at the moment. However if you burn a CD and then re-rip it.....;)

Well that was my method, but if it's not legal, I might aswell use Kazaa or the like to start with!!

Anyone know about getting Tracktor DJ or similar to play the downloaded format?

[Danno13]

I'd go for Napster over iTunes.. then you can pay £15 a month and get as many tracks as you want.. and they should play in Traktor.. but only for as long as you keep up the subscription.

You can also just use "napster light" and pay 79p per track, but they'd be in WMA format which i think is compatible with Trakor, rather than Apple'$ rather conveniently propriatory format....

[DMX Will]

I'd go for Napster over iTunes.. then you can pay £15 a month and get as many tracks as you want.. and they should play in Traktor.. but only for as long as you keep up the subscription.

I take it the subscription would not work over two machines, as my DJ PC, is not on the net, for a reason, and don't want to be putting it on there.

I also just like the idea of iTunes, not sure why, can't stand Macs/Apple!

[Danno13]

You can have up to 3 machines "licensed" to play your Napster tracks.. so would work perfectly. From any machine you can bring up a list of the songs you bought.. and re download them to that machine, even if they were originally downloaded on another one.

[DMX Will]

You can have up to 3 machines "licensed" to play your Napster tracks.. so would work perfectly. From any machine you can bring up a list of the songs you bought.. and re download them to that machine, even if they were originally downloaded on another one.

That doesn't really solve my "no internet on the dj pc" issue though. Cheers Dan, just really want to keep it as far away from the big bad world!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

That doesn't really solve my "no internet on the dj pc" issue though. Cheers Dan, just really want to keep it as far away from the big bad world!

What problems do you envisage having then Will by downloading tunes?

I use one of my gig machines to connect to the CD databases when ripping CDs and have never had a single problem.

[DMX Will]

What problems do you envisage having then Will by downloading tunes?

I use one of my gig machines to connect to the CD databases when ripping CDs and have never had a single problem.

It's not downloading tunes, its plugging into
a) a network
b) the internet
Which when you have a PC (idle of busy) sitting on the internet, it is inevitable to get spyware etc just by using the internet. It's a risk I just don't want to take.

I'm not saying don't do it, your computer may be fine. I just know how easy it is with so many viruses/spyware/malware threats out there these days, and don't want to tempt fait.

[PropellerHeadCase]

Well if you connect to the internet through a LAN on which your normal (non-DJ) PC is the net-server, so long as you have reasonable virus protection, firewall, and Spyware-squasher you really should be fine. I mean, I get what you're saying, but if that amount of caution, which is probably a little excessive, is actually making your life harder and inhibiting your ability to do what you need to do then something kinda has to give. I haven't checked Napster, so I don't know, but if you only need a cookie or other software-based certification on your PC in order for it to be recognised by Napster-sourced files then you would only ned your DJ-PC online once during sign up, and then you could use your customary machine for all downloading.

[DMX Will]

Well if you connect to the internet through a LAN on which your normal (non-DJ) PC is the net-server, so long as you have reasonable virus protection, firewall, and Spyware-squasher you really should be fine. I mean, I get what you're saying, but if that amount of caution, which is probably a little excessive, is actually making your life harder and inhibiting your ability to do what you need to do then something kinda has to give. I haven't checked Napster, so I don't know, but if you only need a cookie or other software-based certification on your PC in order for it to be recognised by Napster-sourced files then you would only ned your DJ-PC online once during sign up, and then you could use your customary machine for all downloading.

I agree it's probably excessive. But a precaution I wish to keep, unless all else fails!

Edit: You see, all this Firewall/Anti-Virus/Spyware software also decreases the performance of the PC. Don't get me wrong, the PC is also over spec'd 3.2Ghz Intel CPU / 1GB ram etc, but all the same..

[dannyboy]

Could you not just download the track on your "Non DJ PC" and use removable media to transfer between PCs.

I.E. CDR, External Harddrive, USB memory stick etc

Or

Download the track on your "Non DJ PC," burn to CD as an audio file and rip to your ideal format on your DJ PC. (Typically MP3)

[sleah]

I get all my tune from iTunes now. I burn to a CD-RW, then rip back to mp3, then the CD-RW is wiped ready for the next batch - no wasted CD-R's :)
This is done on my home PC. The mp3's are produced, i.e. tags tagged and run through a copy of PCDJ on the home PC to calc BPM's. Then they are transfered to the show machine. Works great.

I will never use DRM files, even if PCDJ would play them (it does do WMA I think) for a couple of reasons.
I don't want to be connecting it to t'internet.
DRM is similar technology to activation, and can be as flakey (iTunes is) and could suddenly decide when you power up at a gig to deauthorise, especially if you are using a different sound card or something. iTunes deauthorised the other day, just for a laugh after I had done the forced upgrade :(
I like the option of a backup. This could be a second machine - would that be able to authorise? Who knows:confused:
What if it were an external hard disk, again would DRM cope with being moved around? I very much doubt it.
DRM is the self-destruct mechanism of the industry. If it were to be compulsary under the DDJ licence, no DJ with any sense would use it, meaning the majority of licence holders would be operating with invalid licences and be criminals. Either the authorities would have to ignore DRM or they would prosecute and that would be the end of DDJ's and digital playout systems. Digital music would only then exist for the iPoders.

Bloody stupid if you ask me!

[DMX Will]

Could you not just download the track on your "Non DJ PC" and use removable media to transfer between PCs.

I.E. CDR, External Harddrive, USB memory stick etc

Or

Download the track on your "Non DJ PC," burn to CD as an audio file and rip to your ideal format on your DJ PC. (Typically MP3)

Thats what I want to do ideally, just wanted to ensure it was legal.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Thats what I want to do ideally, just wanted to ensure it was legal.

No, not officially.
;)

[Thames Valley Discos]

can you change the format in legal terms?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

can you change the format in legal terms?

Not unless you have the MCPS license, which currently is the SG6.

I'd just wait and see what happens in the near future though before anyone starts worrying.

[DMX Will]

Not unless you have the MCPS license, which currently is the SG6.

I'd just wait and see what happens in the near future though before anyone starts worrying.

But, say I use iTunes, use the CDs for my Axis 9's and then rip the CD onto my DJ PC, everything is fine and i'm using the tracks week in week out.

THEN, they bring in the license, does that mean all my tracks are then bent copies? If so, in legal terms, wouldn't I have to either re-download or re-convert or find a totally new method to move my iTunes aquired tracks to MP3?

[Vectis]

I burn to a CD-RW, then rip back to mp3, then the CD-RW is wiped ready for the next batch - no wasted CD-R's :)


I use Nero as my burning software. Instead of writing to a disc, I choose the 'Image Recorder' option which instead creates a single .IMG file on the hard drive. Whip that across to the DJ PC on a memory stick and use Nero to turn it back into MP3s again. Voila! No wasted CD-R's and no faffing around with CD-RWs!!!

I'm sure alternative packages have similar functionality.

[sleah]

I use Nero as my burning software. Instead of writing to a disc, I choose the 'Image Recorder' option which instead creates a single .IMG file on the hard drive. Whip that across to the DJ PC on a memory stick and use Nero to turn it back into MP3s again. Voila! No wasted CD-R's and no faffing around with CD-RWs!!!

I'm sure alternative packages have similar functionality.

Nero isn't an option with iTunes. You HAVE to burn the disc directly from the iTunes application. I even tried a virtual CD-R once but iTunes just refused to recognise it. I suspect iTunes talks direct to the hardware, after all Apple know far better how to do things in Windows than Micro$oft:rolleyes: , which is why they have made iTunes such a big piece of cumbersome slow bloatware:mad:

[Vectis]

Oh well, you learn something new every day!

Wouldn't touch iTunes with someone else's!!!

Still a valid approach for peeps wanting to move large slabs of (non-iTunes!) data to non-networked machines.