Merge 3 iTunes Libraries with out duplicates??????

[Confused]

I have only just come to MediaMonkey & would like to try to set it up correctly the first time out.

I know that the program will work with iTunes but I have a situation that might create unnecessary problem? For the first time in a long time I plugged all of my hard drives into my PC & it turns out that I have 2 large & 1 small set of files on 3 iTunes libraries.

Two things are none about these files. The first is that some files are duplicated on 1 or more libraries & that all libraries are made up of 100% of CD's that I own & a few I owned & have either lost or given away.

Is there any easy way to merge libraries together without duplication's & if so how would this be done? I'm hoping that I don't have to re record all the CD's that I still have?

[Hdhntr23]

have you tried to merge the folders in windows explorer?

I find that by doing it that way it eliminates a lot of dupes.

Food for thought.

Or... if you want to make sure you're removing ALL dupes I'd recommend a software called "Similarity" it does a fantastic job of identifying music file dupes.

Hope this helps.

[The old timer]

Thank for tips although I can't imagine Windows ever getting anything done correctly. Are you suggesting anything other than expanding all drives in Explorer and visually check each file one at a time?

I have never heard of Similarity software but I do know about another program that handles files called Everything.

I forgot that I also have thousands of tracks on an ipod as well.

[Confused]

How do you mean try to merge the folders in Windows Explorer? Are you suggesting that I look at
all files one at a time. It might be nice if Windows offered something like this but generally its all pretty useless.

I'm unaware of the Software 'Similarity'. I have seen a file system search tool called 'Everything' which can index as many NTFD drives as you plug in at once but I'm uncertain if if can detect true duplicates out separately.

I'm wondering if I made a copy of every track, from every location or drive & put this new file on a separate drive. What would MediaMonkey do If I pointed the program to this new file? Is it good enough to detect the duplicate's accurately? I forgot but I also have an old iPod as well with music on it as well but I'll forget doing anything at also at once.

I hope someone can help me solve this problem so I don't start in the wrong direction.

[Hdhntr23]

I am suggesting you merge all of your folders onto one drive thru windows explorer. Yes you may end up with a few dupes but MMonkey will allow you to delete those.

If you really want to make sure you dont have dupes I suggest you use a dupe finding software before you point MMonkey to anything.

Dupes are just a fact of life when dealing with a huge library especially one that sounds like it's as old as yours sounds. Honestly to me thats part of the fun of having a collection is finding dupes and tagging things the way I want them.

Regardless...

My advice for merging all of your songs with as few dupes as possible is as follows:

(in order)

!) run a de-dupe program against all of your folders
2) merge the folders from each iTunes and iPod instance into 1 master directory.
3) start working with MMonkey from that master directory
4) have fun with MMonkey and your entire library!!! Remember dupes are part of the process and I find it fun to hunt them down.

If you have any questions just ask!

[Lowlander]

Also see: http://www.mediamonkey.com/support/inde ... ate-tracks