Ripping an audio CD into iTunes (Audiobook)

[wdc909]

I am trying to load an audio book of 15 audio CDs to my iTunes Library, preparatory to then moving the files to my video iPod. But I am terribly confused. The book is "Master and Commander."

Q1. When I put disk 1 (of 15) into my CD drive and close the drive, I see (looking at the window over the right iTunes panel) that tracks 1A through 1V are loading.) But WHERE are they going? Into which of the several categories I see under Library (in the left side panel on iTunes)?

Q2. How do I control where they load to? Can I define a new category under Library (with title "Master and Commander") and direct that all the tracks load to that category? How?

Q3. How do I then ensure that disk 2 (and then disks 3 to 15) are loaded to the same place?

Q4. After I get all the tracks of all 15 disks into the Library, do I just transfer them all to a palylist "Master and Commander' on my iPod by: 1. Defining a new iPod playlist as "Master and Commander"; and 2) Dragging all the tracks of all 15 disks from the iTunes Library to the iPod playlist?

I am sure the process is really simple but I don't have access to anyone who has done it and I have not found a book or article that explains the process as simply as I need.

[a7dk]

If my experience is typical, then they are loading directly into your music library, and will screw up your music playlists by showing up there uninvited

I would make sure to search for "master and commander", then tag all those files as Genre - Audiobook, and then create a smart playlist for that genre, with "Title is 'Master & Commander'".

Does this help?

[studogvetmed]

I'm moving this to the Books and spoken category of the lounge where there are many talented people who make their audiobooks digital.

You may want to look into different scripts or programs that help make audiobook files work very nicely with the iTunes and the iPod. Check out the books and spoken sub-forum,

Cheers.

[moriond]

As a quick answer, try looking at Aldoblog's How to Import Audio CD audiobooks into iTunes or Robert's Beginner's Guide. Copying an Audio CD to a Bookmarking iPod File in the sticky posts for this forum.

Very briefly, the Aldoblog post describes importing audiobooks from audio CDs by joining all tracks on an individual CD. This will leave you with 15 audio tracks that will show up in iTunes under your music library. Robert's Guide is more detailed, and will tell you how to rename your files (and find them again) after importing, so that when readded to your iTunes Library they will appear in the Audiobooks section, and will also show up under the Audiobooks section of your iPod.

Another solution that you might prefer is to get the shareware software, MarkAble ($15, 5-day free trial) for PCs. This basically automates the process by making the decisions about importing settings, merges large files, etc. and handles a variety of formats. You can read more about MarkAble and how to get it and use it in the link to Robert's thread.

[CJNeverWinter]

Q1: all imported songs go into the Music Library.

Q2 & Q3: Smart Playlist is the way to go

File -> New Smart Playlist -> Album = audio book name -> Playcount is 0

that way when you listen to a file it will drop out of the playlist so you wont have to worry about remembering what file you stopped at. and as you import the rest of the discs of the audiobook they will automatically be placed in the Smart Playlist, just make sure you have the Album set as the audio book name.

Q4: Just sync the new Smart Playlist for your audiobook onto your iPod.

A recommendation, upon completely importing your audio book into iTunes, select all the files in the Smart Playlist and select Get Info. then enable Remember Position and Skip When Shuffling. that way even if you leave off in the middle of a file the iPod will remember where you stopped listening. above is how I manage all my audiobooks and so far I've not had a single problem with any of my audiobooks.

[Podette]

Originally Posted by CJNeverWinter

A recommendation, upon completely importing your audio book into iTunes, select all the files in the Smart Playlist and select Get Info. then enable Remember Position and Skip When Shuffling. that way even if you leave off in the middle of a file the iPod will remember where you stopped listening. above is how I manage all my audiobooks and so far I've not had a single problem with any of my audiobooks.

Does using Remember Position work as well as the Make Bookmarkable Applescript? I ask because I haven't had any luck using the Applescript. If you use Remember Position, will it go back to the beginning every time you resync your iPod?

Thanks!

[CJNeverWinter]

Originally Posted by Podette

Does using Remember Position work as well as the Make Bookmarkable Applescript? I ask because I haven't had any luck using the Applescript. If you use Remember Position, will it go back to the beginning every time you resync your iPod?

Thanks!

sorry for the delay in reply. Remember Position will do exactly that, even if you resync your iPod every day. the iPod will remember the last position played and will even transfer the last remember position in the track to iTunes. that way if you want to listen to your book while using your computer iTunes will know exactly where you left off.