iPod & iTunes: The Missing Manual, 2nd Edition

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5.1 Introduction to MusicMatch Jukebox

MusicMatch Jukebox has been ripping (converting) CD songs to MP3 files since 1998. The program has evolved considerably, adding features like a music subscription service, faster encoding speeds, and more than 28 million customers.

The basic, free version of MusicMatch Jukebox lets you rip MP3 songs from CDs (convert them to computer files) and download them to portable players. The enhanced version—MusicMatch Jukebox Plus—adds tons of extra features, but costs an extra $20. If your iPod's CD came with a copy of MusicMatch, though, you can upgrade to the more muscular MusicMatch for free, just by entering the serial number from the sticker on the iPod CD's cellophane sleeve.

UP TO SPEED Mixing and Matching MusicMatch This chapter is based on the menus and features of MusicMatch Jukebox Plus 7.5 for the iPod. If you have version 7.1, version 8 or later, or iTunes, you may need the following instructions to get the iPod to work. If you have MusicMatch Jukebox 7.1: Download version 7.5 from http://www.musicmatch.com/download/free/index.cgi?OEM=APPLE. If you've installed MusicMatch Jukebox 8 or later: If you try to install an even newer version—8.0 for example—you'll discover that MusicMatch no longer recognizes the iPod. The workaround: In MusicMatch Jukebox, choose OptionsAdd New Features. Make sure you're connected to the Internet, because this command takes you to the New Features page of the MusicMatch Web site. Once there, click the "Portable MP3 Players" link to reveal all the available plug-in software for portable players, iPod included. Click the link for your iPod model to start the download. If you've installed iTunes: If you were curious enough to download and install iTunes for Windows, you may be alarmed to discover that iTunes has wrested control away from your copy of MusicMatch. Suddenly, MusicMatch doesn't even "see" the iPod. If that's your situation, here's how to get your iPod popping up in MusicMatch again: Unplug the iPod from the PC. Choose My ComputerControl PanelAdd or Remove Programs. Select and uninstall at least five things: iTunes, iPod for Windows, the MusicMatch iPod Plugin software, the iPod System Software Update (or any other iPod software listed), and MusicMatch Jukebox itself. Close the Add or Remove Programs box and restart the PC. Choose StartProgram FilesMusicMatchMusicMatch Jukebox. Drag files in this folder (but not the folder itself) to the Recycle Bin. Do the same with the files in the Program FilesiPod folder. Empty the Recycle Bin. Reinstall MusicMatch Jukebox from the CD that came with your iPod. Alternatively, download the iPod version of MusicMatch Jukebox from http://www.musicmatch.com. Restart the PC. Connect your iPod to the computer and start MusicMatch Jukebox, which should work fine now.

The iPod-compatible version of MusicMatch Jukebox Plus gives Windows iPodders features like automatic synchronization, Volume Leveling to help even out sound levels between songs, digital sound effects, a Super Tagging function that quickly locates song information, and the ability to record CDs right from within MusicMatch. More on all of this on the following pages.

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