Six Quick Steps for Uploading Music to Your iPod Nano

by: LydiaVaughn
Total views: 23 | Word Count: 617

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

Chances are you have some CDs sitting around your house that you'd like to add to your iPod. Copy the files from your CDs onto your computer's hard disk so it'll be available to your iPod manager.

2) Bring the music files into your iPod manager software

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.

Don't worry, using iTunes to manage your iPod doesn't keep you from buying music at other stores. I buy music downloads from Amazon and eMusic, in addition to iTunes.

If you like to be able to find all your iPod music in one location on your computer, set up iTunes to copy all files into the library location. It's an easy configuration: choose Edit, Preferences, Advanced from the menu and click the "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library." This is handy if you're going to pull music from CDs -- let iTunes manage copying the files off the CD for you.

Okay, you're ready to import the music to iTunes. There's several ways to import, but the most common is to click (from the top menu) File, Add Folder to Library, and find and select the directory that contains your music. Click the "OK" button to add the music to the library's music list. You can also use the Control + O keys and select single files to add.

3) Connect your iPod nano

Connect your iPod to the computer with the USB cable that came with your iPod. (Yes, I know most of you knew this...just playing it safe.) The iPod should appear on the left-hand menu.

Now, 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) Now to upload music to that iPod nano

If you decide to let iTunes manage the uploads, click your iPod's icon and select "Sync" in the lower right corner.

If you want to manage uploading manually, click your iPod's icon, select the "Manually manage music and videos" checkbox on the iTunes screen. (Don't worry, this is a one-time setup step -- you won't have to do it again.) Now all you have to do is select the music (or play lists) you want from your iTunes library and drag it onto the iPod icon.

5) Last step: Eject your iPod before disconnecting

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

6) Time for more music!

If you've followed these steps you know how to upload music to your nano. Time to download more games, videos, books, and music for your nano. See my web site for suggestions of where to find great downloads for reasonable prices.

About the Author

Wondering where to go for top-notch music and game downloads? Check out Lydia Vaughn's review of the best sites for downloads for your iPod nano at Nanos Reviewed.  

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