iTunes volume question

[rob1963]

If you have a song in the iTunes music library on your computer and the volume level is low, you can right click on the song and then go to "get info" and "options" to get to a volume slider. If you drag this slider to the right, you can increase the volume, and the song will then be at the higher volume every time you play it on your computer after that.

Thats fine, but when you then transfer your music to an iPod, when you play it back either through the iPod itself (with headphones) or through a Cortex controller, will the volume of that particular song STILL be higher? or does the higher volume only work when you play back the song in the iTunes music library on your computer?

Thanks in advance for any help with this.

:)

[CRAZY K]

If you have a song in the iTunes music library on your computer and the volume level is low, you can right click on the song and then go to "get info" and "options" to get to a volume slider. If you drag this slider to the right, you can increase the volume, and the song will then be at the higher volume every time you play it on your computer after that.

Thats fine, but when you then transfer your music to an iPod, when you play it back either through the iPod itself (with headphones) or through a Cortex controller, will the volume of that particular song STILL be higher? or does the higher volume only work when you play back the song in the iTunes music library on your computer?

Thanks in advance for any help with this.

:)

Dont know--but I burn my I tunes downloads on to CDs and rip them to my hard drives to use with the Cortex.

Think thats what you will be doing?

Never noticed a volume issue when playing through Disco equipment--

Normally I eventually get asked to turn it down a bit:eek:

CRAZY K

[Corabar Steve]

Are you still going down the iPod route with the Cortex then Rob?

[rob1963]

Are you still going down the iPod route with the Cortex then Rob?

I haven't made any definate decisions yet, Steve...but it's still a possibility

[Corabar Steve]

I know you can set all the levels the same in iTunes & when you burn from iTunes, but I think that is something iTunes does for itself & not to the actual MP3. Whereas if you are using a hard drive you can run all your MP3s through something like MP3Gain to make them the same volume.

One other thing, last week when I was researching Cortex & D2 as a back up unit. I discovered that although the Cortex supports AAC files, it only supports unprotected AACs. Meaning anything you buy from iTunes would have to be burned & then ripped like a normal CD anyway.

I really feel it is a mistake going for iPods over HDs.

[Tom]

an ipod is a HD but i know what you mean

[CRAZY K]

I know you can set all the levels the same in iTunes & when you burn from iTunes, but I think that is something iTunes does for itself & not to the actual MP3. Whereas if you are using a hard drive you can run all your MP3s through something like MP3Gain to make them the same volume.

One other thing, last week when I was researching Cortex & D2 as a back up unit. I discovered that although the Cortex supports AAC files, it only supports unprotected AACs. Meaning anything you buy from iTunes would have to be burned & then ripped like a normal CD anyway.

I really feel it is a mistake going for iPods over HDs.

Thought you were using 2 Cortex units Rob?

One as play out and one as back up--thats where I expect to be very shortly:D

CRAZY K

[rob1963]

Thought you were using 2 Cortex units Rob?

One as play out and one as back up--thats where I expect to be very shortly:D

CRAZY K

I will be, Crazy.

I just haven't decided whether to use them with iPods or external hard drives yet.

[CRAZY K]

I will be, Crazy.

I just haven't decided whether to use them with iPods or external hard drives yet.

I havent heard of DJs using that that arrangement--do you just read the I pods music using the Cortex?

CRAZY K

[rob1963]

Yes Crazy...the iPods are working just like a normal hard drive, it's just that they are iPods.

The Cortex will still read them exactly the same way.

I believe the Cortex can't do playlists when used with external hard drives, but I think that if you use an iPod, you can create playlists in your iTunes music library & transfer them to the iPod...and the Cortex WILL recognise them, but I'm not 100% certain of this.

If this IS the case, that's one advantage of using an iPod over a normal external hard drive.

Maybe someone can clarify whether this is the case.

[CRAZY K]

Yes Crazy...the iPods are working just like a normal hard drive, it's just that they are iPods.

The Cortex will still read them the same.

Do you know any DJs that have been doing this regularly---i.e. no issues with performance or reliability?

CRAZY K

[rob1963]

Do you know any DJs that have been doing this regularly---i.e. no issues with performance or reliability?
CRAZY K

I think there is a member who uses an iPod with a Cortex, but I can't remember who it is!

I wouldn't expect there to be a problem, as the Cortex is merely a control unit for playing music stored on ANY hard drive which you connect to it...including external hard drives, iPods, flash sticks or even laptops.

They are all hard drives which contain moving parts, so I don't really see why you would have a problem with any particular one, unless there's something I haven't thought of!

As far as I'm aware, the main reason why most Cortex users have an external hard drive is because it's cheaper than an iPod, but I'm willing to be corrected!

[Tom]

As far as I'm aware, the main reason why most Cortex users have an external hard drive is because it's cheaper than an iPod, but I'm willing to be corrected!

this is true. with an ipod you paying for the name but you only either 30 or 60gb for about £200 and under (depending where you shop) but with external hard drives they much cheaper but are also bigger because of holding more data. imo external hard drives are better than an ipod simply because they can hold more data than an ipod

[PropellerHeadCase]

What's to stop you creating play-lists and saving them to a hard-drive, Rob? If the controller recognizes the .m3u format you can create play lists on an external hard drive based on the tracks on that hard drive and save the play list to that hard drive - saves you a bit and has the same effect as an iPod (assuming that's the only reason you're looking at an iPod).

[rob1963]

with an ipod you paying for the name but you only either 30 or 60gb for about £200 and under (depending where you shop) but with external hard drives they much cheaper but are also bigger because of holding more data. imo external hard drives are better than an ipod simply because they can hold more data than an ipod

Fair comments Tom, but I think iPods have moved on a bit.

You mention that the 60gb version is £200 or under.

On a certain auction site, you can now get brand new 80gb iPods for about £130. With music ripped to MP3 at 256kb (like mine is) that's enough room for about 11,000 tracks...which is about double the amount I actually have, so storage space isn't a problem in my case.

For the £200 price tag you mentioned, it's now possible to pick up a brand new 160gb ipod...with enough space for about 22,000 tracks ripped at 256kb!

:)

[Tom]

Fair comments Tom, but I think iPods have moved on a bit.

You mention that a 60gb one is £200 or under.

On a certain Auction site, you can now get brand new 80gb iPods for about £130. With music ripped to MP3 at 256kb (like mine is) that's enough room for about 11,000 tracks...which is about double the amount I actually have, so storage space isn't a problem in my case.

For the £200 price tag you mentioned, it's now possible to pick up a brand new 160gb ipod...that's enough storage for about 22,000 tracks ripped at 256kb!

:)


i understand that, i was just giving an example (from the laminated book of dreams) any bill bailey fan will know what i mean by that. :lol: . although i did have a look on the ipod site to see what they have in stock now, as im not keen on the ipod range. everybody has one, i just want to be different. i mean i have a 320gb external hard drive and i currently have just over 27,000 tracks which is 121gb.

[Corabar Steve]

an ipod is a HD but i know what you mean
Really? I thought it was a media player with an internal HD of it's own

For the £200 price tag you mentioned, it's now possible to pick up a brand new 160gb ipod...with enough space for about 22,000 tracks ripped at 256kb!

:)Well that will hold about 3/4 of what I have on my £60 HD & I've still got around 200gb free space.

[BeerFunk]

It astounds me how many ipods are sold on the basis of their name alone, when there are better products available for less money (Creative players for example).

[Corabar Steve]

Indeed

[CRAZY K]

I think there is a member who uses an iPod with a Cortex, but I can't remember who it is!

I wouldn't expect there to be a problem, as the Cortex is merely a control unit for playing music stored on ANY hard drive which you connect to it...including external hard drives, iPods, flash sticks or even laptops.

They are all hard drives which contain moving parts, so I don't really see why you would have a problem with any particular one, unless there's something I haven't thought of!

As far as I'm aware, the main reason why most Cortex users have an external hard drive is because it's cheaper than an iPod, but I'm willing to be corrected!

Personally I have never heard of anyone doing this--although I know a large number of people who have used Hard Drives ok--including me course:D :D :D

It just made me wonder if an I pod Hard drive would be as capable of dealing with all the constant searching that goes on when a DJ is at work---as Dave Dragonfly says---its funny how you have a song cued up--biut suddenly someone says--we MUST have the Birdie Song--you know that kind of experience im sure:eek:

I assume I pods are built to play out music and left to run --not be used as a DJ centre--theres also not much of them--I was reminded of the shortcomings of modern micro technology when my brand new flatscreen telly broke down after a few months--the big old one we bought 15 years ago is still going strong--never a problem.

But who knows I may well be wrong--

CRAZY K

[Dragonfly]

I think ... but i maybe wrong that the ipod is being suggested as a very secondary play out source ..... the way i would use one would be to create a running order on it and as you say crazy leave it to play, I dont see how you could do requests and such like with one ipod? although im very open to education.

[CRAZY K]

I think ... but i maybe wrong that the ipod is being suggested as a very secondary play out source ..... the way i would use one would be to create a running order on it and as you say crazy leave it to play, I dont see how you could do requests and such like with one ipod? although im very open to education.

As I understand it Rob wants to use the I pod hard drive with all his music on it and use the Cortex to " mix" the music from it.

My only concern is whether I pod hard drives are capable of working reliably in an "industrial" situation---i.e. used by a DJ rather than just for "domestic" use by the public.

As I said--has anyone been doing this for 6 months without problems--after initial settling down-----like some of us USB users?



CRAZY K

[Dragonfly]

aaa my apologies i misunderstood ..... i would share your concerns understand the concept of having hard drive and back up all in one .... but what you have to remember is .... if your hard drive packs up ..... so does your back up.

[rob1963]

aaa my apologies i misunderstood ..... i would share your concerns understand the concept of having hard drive and back up all in one .... but what you have to remember is .... if your hard drive packs up ..... so does your back up.

I would not have a hard drive & back up all in one...I will have a second identical ipod as back up...as well as a single CD player.

:)

[Corabar Steve]

Still can't see why you'd want to they cost more & store less

[Dragonfly]

I would not have a hard drive & back up all in one...I will have a second identical ipod as back up...as well as a single CD player.

:)

ok .... i need educating?? if you will just be using the ipod as a storage facility i dont understand the point?? external hard drives are hardly massive so there isnt really a space issue ....... you will need to power an ipod just like you would an external hard drive so its not a having less plugs issue you can get a 500 gb external hard drive for the same price as an 80 gb ipod that is olnly going to be used for storage.

you can use cortex manager to index all your songs on a hard drive like you can on itunes with an ipod.

other than your hard drive will fit in your pocket to and from gigs i dont understand the plusses?? im really not being difficult sorry if it appears i am .....

i must be missing something ...... tell me about it someone?

[CRAZY K]

ok .... i need educating?? if you will just be using the ipod as a storage facility i dont understand the point?? external hard drives are hardly massive so there isnt really a space issue ....... you will need to power an ipod just like you would an external hard drive so its not a having less plugs issue you can get a 500 gb external hard drive for the same price as an 80 gb ipod that is olnly going to be used for storage.

you can use cortex manager to index all your songs on a hard drive like you can on itunes with an ipod.

other than your hard drive will fit in your pocket to and from gigs i dont understand the plusses?? im really not being difficult sorry if it appears i am .....

i must be missing something ...... tell me about it someone?

Perhaps Rob will??

Its his idea :D

CRAZY K

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

It astounds me how many ipods are sold on the basis of their name alone, when there are better products available for less money (Creative players for example).

I agree. I had a Creative labs Mp3 jukebox about 5 or 6 years ago and replaced it with an Ipod and the Creative was much better. Much easier to create playlists and search.

The Ipod is rubbish. It certainly looks nice, but that's about it for me.

[rob1963]

I'm still considering the options, but I need to ask a really dumb question here...

...I've been ripping my Cds into my iTunes music library on my computer.

Does this mean I can only transfer this music to an iPod?, or can I easily copy it over to ANY external hard drive which I purchase to use with the Cortex?

Sorry, but I'm just so thick with all this technical stuff!

[Corabar Steve]

Ian uses iTunes to rip & he uses a Denon so yes you can play them off a HD, as long as you didn't rip to AAC. (although thinking about it Cortex supports unprotected AACs, or is that only from iPods)

[rob1963]

Thanks Steve...and I've been ripping to MP3.