Guru's Guide to Uploading Music to iPod nano

by: LydiaVaughn
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Word Count: 675

If you've been trying to figure out how to upload music to your new iPod nano, don't worry. We'll have you playing great songs on your iPod nano in no time. Of course, you might not be so interested in music. But maybe you bought your nanos to play videos or games. Well, good news! Once you're uploading music to your nano you'll know how to upload all the other goodies too.

1) Load the music files onto your computer

Most of us start out with our iPods by loading up the CDs we've collected over the years, so let's start there. Copy the files from your CDs onto your computer's hard disk so it'll be available to your iPod manager. Note: If you use iTunes and have "Copy files to iTunes music folder" selected, you can skip copying the files to the PC -- just having the CD in your computer's CD drive will be enough.

2) Import the music into your iPod manager

An "iPod manager" handles moving files to and from the iPod. For most of us, Apple's free iTunes software fills the bill. But, there are other choices if you decide you don't like iTunes. If you're new to iPods I suggest you start with iTunes.

By the way, using iTunes to manage iPod files does NOT keep you from buying music from other companies -- I buy music downloads from three different vendors but use iTunes to move them back and for from my iPod.

Quick tip: If you want iTunes to put a copy of the file in the main iTunes library directory, choose Edit, Preferences, Advanced from the menu and click the "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library." I like to do this to make it easy to find my music files. I know that music files anywhere else on my hard drive aren't part of the iTunes library and can safely be deleted.

Now it's time to import to iTunes. One of the easiest ways is to click File, Add Folder to Library, and select the directory (or CD) holding your music. Click the "OK" button and iTunes will import the music to the library. 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.

Next you need to 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) Finally! Start uploading music to your nano

If you decided to let iTunes manage the uploads you're ready to start. Just click your iPod's icon and select "Sync" in the lower right corner. You're done! Play with that a few times. Try making playlists to group your music, go to iStore to download a couple free podcasts, and go enjoy!

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

Eject from iTunes by clicking the button at bottom right of the screen. THEN disconnect from your computer.

6) Time for more music!

Okay, you know how to upload music to your nano. Go forth and find more cool games, videos, books, or music for your iPod. See my web site for suggestions of where to find great downloads for reasonable prices.

About the Author

Wondering where to go for great music and game downloads? Read Lydia Vaughn's review of the best sites for downloads for your iPod nano at Nanos Reviewed.  

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