iTunes won't import mp3

IJ67 · 05-12-2006, 09:21 PM

I have several mp3 files that iTunes just will not import. Can anyone suggest a workaround method to getting them in the darn application?

hayne · 05-12-2006, 09:27 PM

Anything special about these MP3 files?
How big are they?
What does iTunes say when you try to import them? (Please give the exact text of any error messages)

Bigc · 05-12-2006, 10:03 PM

try using Add to Library or drag to itunes window?

IJ67 · 05-13-2006, 10:02 AM

As far as I can tell, the mp3s are average files (3 - 6 MB each).

After trying to import, whether by double clicking, opening with Add to Library, File open, or dragging into iTunes, there is no error message -- the files are simply not added.

Bigc · 05-13-2006, 10:50 AM

are you sure that they are not already on there or that files with the same name are not already on there. If you double click one of the files you are trying to add what happens?

voldenuit · 05-13-2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IJ67


	I have several mp3 files that iTunes just will not import.

Do they play, in the Finder for example ?

bored28 · 05-13-2006, 11:56 AM

Yes, I've had this happen before. Those are usually incompatible file types that are labeled using the .mp3 extension. Did you rip these files yourself or did you get them off of a site or P2P or etc???

6502 · 05-13-2006, 12:51 PM

First, double-check the iTunes Library and make sure that the files have NOT been added to it.

Open one of the files in the QuickTime Player and confirm that it is not corrupt by playing it. Then confirm that it is, in fact, an MPEG Layer 3 file by Getting info on it (Command+I).

If it is a real .mp3 file, is the NAME of the file in the format xxx.mp3 or is it something like xxx.mpeg3? iTunes has become very picky about names in the last few iterations and the files should end with .mp3.

Bigc · 05-13-2006, 01:23 PM

I've seen people put mp3 extension on aac files and not even Quicktime would recognize them until the extension was changed...

bored28 · 05-13-2006, 02:13 PM

Bigc - Exactly, that is what I was alluding to.

IJ67 · 05-13-2006, 06:01 PM

The files are definately NOT in the iTunes Library. I tried playing them in QuickTime, and they wouldn't open, however, I am able to play them with Audion. All file names end in .mp3

hayne · 05-13-2006, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IJ67


	I am able to play them with Audion

Does Audion have a way to get more detailed info about the file format etc of the song files? (Something similar to iTunes' "Get Info") If so, what does it say about these files?

voldenuit · 05-13-2006, 06:16 PM

In the terminal, when you type

file /path/to/weird.mp3

what's the result ?

Bigc · 05-13-2006, 06:41 PM

when Audion would open mine but iTunes wouldn't they were .m4a files someone tagged .mp3.....I think the files were made with winampPro.

edit: Can't remember for sure but may have gotten them to open in iTunes by removing the extension and then using Open With and selecting iTunes (or Amadeus)...

IJ67 · 05-13-2006, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voldenuit


	In the terminal, when you type file /path/to/weird.mp3 what's the result ?

/path/to/weird.mp3: cannot open (/path/to/weird.mp3)
does this tell you something?

Getting rid of the file extensions did not help, and Audion's information window provides the file name...not much help.

I appreciate all the suggestions...keep them coming!

hayne · 05-13-2006, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IJ67


	/path/to/weird.mp3: cannot open (/path/to/weird.mp3) does this tell you something?

voldenuit meant for you to substitute the actual path to one of the troublesome files for "/path/to/weird.mp3"
E.g. if the file in question is called loveSong.mp3 and is in a folder "Songs" under the folder "MyStuff" which is under your home folder then you would do something like:

file ~/MyStuff/Songs/loveSong.mp3

( ~ is your home folder in Unix notation)

Alternatively, just type "file "
(note the space after the 'file' command)
and then drag the file from Finder into the Terminal window. That should fill in the path to the file. Press Return and the 'file' command will execute.

IJ67 · 05-13-2006, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayne


	voldenuit meant for you to substitute the actual path to one of the troublesome files for "/path/to/weird.mp3"

OK, I feel like an idiot...thanks for being so patient.

Now that I have a clue, I tried again. This was the response:
/Users/ij67/Desktop/Mood Swings.mp3: MP3 file with ID3 version 2.3.0 tag

6502 · 05-14-2006, 12:02 AM

That the files don't open in the QuickTime Player is an interesting clue.

If you get info on the files in the Finder, what are the file-permissions? Are you the owner? Do you have Read and Write permissions?

IJ67 · 05-14-2006, 01:17 AM

Yes, it appears that I am the owner, and I have read & write permissions.

I was unable to convert the files from mp3 to aac/wav/aiff formats using a demo version of Barba file encoder. Unknown error each time. The converter confirmed that they are mp3 files. Files still play in Audion -- do they use a protected file structure?

Aha! I used the encoder in Audion to convert to AIFF, and now they import and play in iTunes.

Thanks for your help and suggestions!

6502 · 05-14-2006, 03:31 AM

It sounds like the files were corrupt.

I suggest that you play through each track to confirm that they are complete.

05-12-2006, 09:27 PM	#2
hayne Site Admin Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montreal Posts: 31,941	Anything special about these MP3 files? How big are they? What does iTunes say when you try to import them? (Please give the exact text of any error messages) __________________ hayne.net/macosx.html

05-13-2006, 10:02 AM	#4
IJ67 Prospect Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7	iTunes won't import mp3 As far as I can tell, the mp3s are average files (3 - 6 MB each). After trying to import, whether by double clicking, opening with Add to Library, File open, or dragging into iTunes, there is no error message -- the files are simply not added.

05-13-2006, 06:41 PM	#14
Bigc All Star Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 552	when Audion would open mine but iTunes wouldn't they were .m4a files someone tagged .mp3.....I think the files were made with winampPro. edit: Can't remember for sure but may have gotten them to open in iTunes by removing the extension and then using Open With and selecting iTunes (or Amadeus)... Last edited by Bigc; 05-13-2006 at 07:21 PM.

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05-12-2006, 09:21 PM	#1
IJ67 Prospect Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7	I have several mp3 files that iTunes just will not import. Can anyone suggest a workaround method to getting them in the darn application?

05-12-2006, 10:03 PM	#3
Bigc All Star Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 552	try using Add to Library or drag to itunes window?

05-13-2006, 10:50 AM	#5
Bigc All Star Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 552	are you sure that they are not already on there or that files with the same name are not already on there. If you double click one of the files you are trying to add what happens?

05-13-2006, 11:56 AM	#7
bored28 Major Leaguer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 355	Yes, I've had this happen before. Those are usually incompatible file types that are labeled using the .mp3 extension. Did you rip these files yourself or did you get them off of a site or P2P or etc???

05-13-2006, 12:51 PM	#8
6502 Major Leaguer Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 335	First, double-check the iTunes Library and make sure that the files have NOT been added to it. Open one of the files in the QuickTime Player and confirm that it is not corrupt by playing it. Then confirm that it is, in fact, an MPEG Layer 3 file by Getting info on it (Command+I). If it is a real .mp3 file, is the NAME of the file in the format xxx.mp3 or is it something like xxx.mpeg3? iTunes has become very picky about names in the last few iterations and the files should end with .mp3.

05-13-2006, 01:23 PM	#9
Bigc All Star Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 552	I've seen people put mp3 extension on aac files and not even Quicktime would recognize them until the extension was changed...

05-13-2006, 02:13 PM	#10
bored28 Major Leaguer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 355	Bigc - Exactly, that is what I was alluding to.

05-13-2006, 06:01 PM	#11
IJ67 Prospect Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7	The files are definately NOT in the iTunes Library. I tried playing them in QuickTime, and they wouldn't open, however, I am able to play them with Audion. All file names end in .mp3

05-13-2006, 06:16 PM	#13
voldenuit Hall of Famer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Old Europe Posts: 4,969	In the terminal, when you type file /path/to/weird.mp3 what's the result ?

05-14-2006, 12:02 AM	#18
6502 Major Leaguer Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 335	That the files don't open in the QuickTime Player is an interesting clue. If you get info on the files in the Finder, what are the file-permissions? Are you the owner? Do you have Read and Write permissions?

05-14-2006, 01:17 AM	#19
IJ67 Prospect Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7	Yes, it appears that I am the owner, and I have read & write permissions. I was unable to convert the files from mp3 to aac/wav/aiff formats using a demo version of Barba file encoder. Unknown error each time. The converter confirmed that they are mp3 files. Files still play in Audion -- do they use a protected file structure? Aha! I used the encoder in Audion to convert to AIFF, and now they import and play in iTunes. Thanks for your help and suggestions!

05-14-2006, 03:31 AM	#20
6502 Major Leaguer Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 335	It sounds like the files were corrupt. I suggest that you play through each track to confirm that they are complete.