IOWA

Ok guys, this is for windows users only I think... sorry mac users..

You can also sync your iPod or PMP of choice as well, anything that has mass storage mode.

So, after reading countless "how do i sync my music"

and "it's too hard" threads/posts, I decided to make this guide to simplify the process.

1.) Download and Install the latest version of WinAmp, from here:

Winamp Media Player - MP3, Video, and Music Player - Winamp

(Free version works just fine! It's what I'm using here.)

2.) Add your local media library folder to winamp.

There are a few ways to do this, but the way I'm showing you will keep your library up-to-date automatically.





Make sure you add all your folders... (Music library folder, Limewire etc.)

*I also select "Rescan at startup"* <-- This will keep your library updated everytime you load up Winamp! There is also a manual scan method as well.

Ok now that your library is loaded up, you need to connect your Android/PMP in mass storage mode.

Make sure USB debugging is not on, unless you have the proper drivers installed. Also, remember which way you set this up, as going back and forth may mess things up. So if you sync without USB debugging on, make sure you do it that way every time!

Onward!

So, Like I had mentioned before, connect your Android/PMP to your computer with the sync cable, enable mass storage through the pull down menu.

After your computer recognizes the drive, WinAmp should pick it up and ask if this is a portable device. If it doesn't pick it up right away, just close WinAmp, and restart it. It will pick it up then.

When it asks you if you want to manage this as a portable, select yes!

It will then show up in the portables section as a usb mass storage device.






Ok great, now we have your library in, and your device plugged in.

Now delete all the music on your device.

Now by default, it will dump all of your music on to the root of your SD card, I find this annoying, so we are going to change this!

Head back into preferences.



In the advanced tab, first we are going to edit the File name format box. It has the blue dot next to it in the above picture.

By default, it has this value:

(Keep in mind the drive letter may be different, depending on your pc. Make sure you just keep the drive letter that's already there. )

G:\<Artist>\<Album>\## - <Title>

Now, this is How I have mine set up. It will sync to

sdcard/music/artist/album/filename.mp3

Enter the following in the box to sync it like mine, so it does not sync your media to the root of the sdcard:

G:\Music\<Artist>\<Album>\<filename> <---Copy that exactly into the file format name box.

Notice, all I did was specify what folder it will sync to. You can change it around however you like. If you copy and paste the above, it will sync like mine, which once again is:

sdcard/music/artist/album/filename.mp3

Ok now in the box below it, I just put it like this

G:\Music\Playlists

For supported formats box, just put any formats you use in that box.

I use this configuration:

mp3;wav;wma;m4a;aac



Ok now the hard part is done.

Simply select your device in the portables in the left column:



Then click Sync. This will sync your media library with your Android/PMP.

All Done!




FAQ: But my media library is too big! How do I sync certain files?

Well this a little more complicated. Your going to have to use playlists to sync.

You simply make playlists of the music you want, and while your Android/PMP is connected, instead of hitting sync or autofill, you find the playlist you want sync'd to your device, and right click and select Send to: (your device here)

It will then transfer the music to your Android/PMP.

When you do it this way, it will give you the option to remove anysongs you don't have on the playlists your syncing.

-OR- You could do what I do, and only load into the library what you plan on syncing =P



EDIT: Just noticed a small quirk, which is being worked on with the next release of Winamp. For some reason it doesn't automatically update what's synced into your phone, and it wants to make duplicate files. Well here's the workaround until they fix this.

On portables > advanced tab, remember those two buttons named "Save and Rescan" and "Refresh Cache" ? (second picture from the bottom^^)

Well after each sync, head into Preferences > Media Library > Portables > (Your Device Here)

Then on that very same advanced tab, press the "refresh cache" and "save and rescan" buttons.

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Last edited by IOWA; May 17th, 2010 at 01:52 AM.

eyebeam

Good stuff. I came in here to report this as the same ol' DVD converter spam that shows up all the time, and much to my surprise... something useful!

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Use Dropbox to store, share and sync all types of files from multiple devices. The first 2GB is free and get even more free space from referrals. If interested, please use my referral: http://db.tt/Uw2zTbP Thanks.

load97

Theres definitely enough of the spam bots around isnt there?

Zenze

Just what I needed. Thanks IOWA.

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IOWA

Keep in mind, when you connect your phone to winamp, you have to let winamp refresh the cache before syncing, just a little quirk I found. Other wise it likes to double your mp3.. so if you let it sit for a few min, then sync you'll be fine. The bigger your music your loading, the longer you'll have to wait.

Tapatalk. Samsung Moment. Yep.

pickthecrowdup

Anyone figured out how to get winamp to transcode to aac+ while syncing? The option is there, must be a bug because it goes through the transcode process and still comes out as a mp3. Huge space saver if I can take 320 mp3s and knock them down to 64k aac+...

It's possible to transcode to a file on your pc, just not through sync.

IOWA

Ill look into it. However, for better quality/compression, your better off looking into a standalone program that's rated highely.

Tapatalk. Samsung Moment. Yep.

pickthecrowdup

I can't seem to find another program that will transcode to aac+ during sync. Winamp was the only one I found that even had that option. Too bad it won't work.

DrkNvmbr81

Great post, didn't think to use Winamp, I've just been dragging and dropping folders onto my sdcard. Then I found doubleTwist, which works ok, but I have some problems.

Since I also have a last.fm account (DrkNvmbr81 if anyone else uses last.fm), I like it to scrobble what I'm playing while I'm listening to music off of my Hero. My problem is, sometimes the properties do not come through with the tracks when I sync using doubleTwist, or even when I drag and drop. It's hit or miss usually, it's not always the same albums when I redo it. For example, if I view artists>unknown artists, it shows the album name, so when you select the album all the tracks are there, but labeled as "01 the sundering" unknown artist. Does Winamp have any problems with transferring file properties?

I know this probably isn't a big deal to some people, but I like organization and having everything there. It really bugs me that the album artwork doesn't come through and show up, but I'll figure that out.

IOWA

I figured out the id3 tagging is a an altogether different issue. A simple fix is to download something call "mp3 tag" from download.com.

Using mp3 tag, navigate to your library from within the program. Well this is going to require another tutorial for most users.... but basically you need to retag all the songs, which is easy with ctrl+a. Somewhere in settings you need to enable all the ID versions. Ill write up a more in-depth tutorial and post it in another thread soon.

Tapatalk. Samsung Moment. Yep.

DrkNvmbr81

Hey thanks for the tip.

I find it irritating that I can look at the properties of the file on my comp, see it's there, but it doesn't want to go through to the phone. Also, when it's on the phone, why can't I edit properties??? Right now, I'm just ranting, sorry.

ifb-online

Does using Winamp preserve song star ratings? I'm trying to sync music I have rated using Windows Media Player on my PC.

Ian

IOWA

Hmmm not sure. Never had my library in wmp or itunes. Try importing it from wmp and let us know eh? I *do* know winamp has a star rating system

Tapatalk. Samsung Moment. Yep.

Karsten

Great detailed post!

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somohapian

Thank you so much for posting this...

For some reason WinAmp won't recognize my device. I checked and checked and it is recognized as a USB storage... I've plugged it in while winamp was open, closed, and restarted while it was plugged in. Nothing.

Under portables, the only plugin I have is for iPod, could that be the problem? Anyone have any ideas?

I'm trying uninstalling winamp completely and reinstalling it.

Ok, on edit... completely reinstalling winamp worked. I must have not installed some piece when I did the initial install. Sorry for all the trouble. LOL.

Last edited by somohapian; June 25th, 2010 at 03:14 PM. Reason: no longer an issue...

PaystarCEO

Holy Christ! THAT's the EASY way.

All the power to you for figuring this all out, but I am going to stick to hitting one button on my iPod.

spir0o

hey !
I found your post while looking for a solution to my problem. I'm using your method to sync with phone but the problem is that from a connection to another, winamp looses the setting as of where to put the files in the sd card.
When I disconnect my phone and plug it back, I have to manually input the path (G:\Music\<Artist>\<Album>\<filename>) all over again.
Am I the only one with this problem ?
FYI I'm using windows 7 and maybe it's because of the application rights (however winamp launches itself with administrator's rights...)
I hope I made myself understandable, sorry but english isn't my first language ^^

Mr.Goro

No you are NOT the only one!

I have the same problem with saving these settings! Everything gets lost as soon as I remove my HTC Desire from the PC and reconnect it.

In the Winamp Forum I opend a thread with the problem but did not get a solution:

Music Transfer HTC Desire - Winamp Forums

IOWA

When you mount your SD, does it show up as a different drive letter each time?

monsterenergy22

Syncing now with my Droid, thanks!

moe_12345

Will this method also sync my music VIDEOS?

IOWA

Hmm not sure... haven't tried videos.

birkenhair

Superb post, worked like a charm on a HTC Desire.

IOWA

UPDATE: The new version of WinAmp now supports transcoding, so those of you that have FLAC or other lossless, can now use WinAmp to transcode while syncing.

mIQ Live

Great post. Haven't used this yet.

Tried out Awesome Drop?

Words on MAC and PC. No account or cords, just download the app and drop the files directly to your phone. Pretty sweet for music transfers! Couldn't be easier...

IOWA

How exactly to you get it to your phone without cords? You need to be connected to the network somehow, or have the sd card in the reader slot.

Not to mention can drag and drop transcode my FLAC files into MP3's for better memory management? Can drag and drop automatically delete the songs I don't want and replace them with what I've selected without deleting the entire music folder thus saving time?

dhinged

Right-clicking Local Media doesn't have the "Preferences" option for me. Just "Add Smart View". I'm using the free version 5.56

kgreendenver

I was so tired of not having something like this for my phone. I'm so glad i ran across this! - Kenny

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Independent Associate (Manager)
Pre-Paid Legal Services Inc.

pickthecrowdup

I love that transcoding works now! I can transcode my .mp3 to .m4a and save TONS of space.

From FLAC files ------
Pearl Jam - Alive -- 256k vbr q2 is 12,648,448 bytes
Pearl Jam - Alive -- 24k aac HE PS is 1,126,400 bytes

The .m4a file is 8.9% of the .mp3! Sounds nearly identical!

My 120gb music collection could possibly fit into 10.7gb.

Just use "MP4/aacPlus (HE-AAC) Encoder v1.3"
Bitrate "24kbps"
Channel Mode "Parametric Stereo"

Hope you like it!

Awesome.

subbiepops

All -

Sorry, new Droid X owner and just installed WinAmp on my DX. Question I have - I like to plug in my phone when listening to music (to keep the batt. charged), but with the phone plugged in, WinAmp won't access the SD card because it says it's busy. I have USB set for charge only, but still won't access SD card.

What do I need to do (or can I do this) to get WinAmp to access the SD card with the USB cord plugged into the phone?

Thank You - Dean

pickthecrowdup

Instead of Charge Only, you want to select "Disk Drive" to mount your phone as disk drive. Then your computer will access your sd card.

Good luck.

subbiepops

I don't think I made myself very clear . . . I can get my computer to sync up with my phone (and my SD card in my phone) just fine.

The problem I'm having - I like to plug in my phone (using the USB cord connected to a USB port on my computer) to keep it charged up when playing music on it . . . But for some reason WinAmp won't access the SD card (where my music is stored) when I have the USB cable plugged in. I get a "error" that states the SD card is busy.

I haven't tried the other USB "modes", so maybe I need to have my phone in something other than "charge only" mode? I'll give the others a try . . .

Thank you for the suggestion - Dean

pickthecrowdup

From what I understand only one machine can access your storage at a time. If you are using your SD card with your phone, to play music or whatever, it is mounted to your phone. You would have to select "Disk Drive" mode to unmount it to allow access from your PC. At that point your phone cannot access your card anymore.

Heartwire

Where are the playlists saved to on your SD card, and what format do they use.
Cause i cant find them on my SD card at all.

To test where it could possibly be, i made a playlist inside the android app. then searched and explored my SD card using the playlist name that i created. but no luck on that.

So yeah, used winamp to transfer a playlist, but it wont see the playlist at all.
Though when i open my stock music play (Galaxy Si9000) it does see the playlist.

Last edited by Heartwire; October 22nd, 2010 at 12:48 PM.

poppagai

I am glad the last post asked about playlists... before i try the winamp, please answer one question...

If I sync a playlist from my laptop to my android phone and then make changes to the playlist via the phone like adding tracks... when I re-sync with winamp on the laptop will these playlists be synced? Will the changes made on the phone version of the playlist register on the laptop version when it is re-synced? Thanks.

cgarai

Hi,

Great post, really helps clarify the process.

One question I have is that I am using a Samsung Captivate, which has both an internal 16GB SD card and an "external" SD card (currently 8GB). For the purposes of syncing, Winamp does not see the external SD. I have music there from a previous phone and the Winamp app can see the music, but the Winamp desktop does not.

Any ideas how I can manage music on both cards via syncing?

talldude

Thank you - saved me a lot of headscratching

DaveDroidX

This is one I actually have an answer for... Don't use the USB port on your computer. Use an AC adapter available from just about anywhere that adapts AC to USB or use the original charging cord that came with the phone. Somehow the phone knows its connected to a computer and disables the phones access to the SD card despite what the settings dictate.

I hope this helps.

twisterkiran

May be of use to all you folks trying to use Winamp and missing a Playlist Editor that can be generate Playlists from a Folder that contains Music:-
Benvenuto Tête-à-Tête: Easiest Method to Create Playlists for Winamp Android

Hoiiip

I'm able to sync to my Samsung Galaxy SII but when I try transferring songs with Winamp installed on the desktop and phone, I get a "Transfer Failed" message. Any ideas as to why this is happening?

dotparfait

Thanks again for your help! This was really easy to follow.

I'm having two issues, though. Most importantly, my playlists aren't syncing properly. When I let Winamp do it as part of the sync, it only shows a few songs for each playlist and those are for artists with alphabetically early names. For example, all that's left in my "new" playlist after transfer is 15 out of the original 185 songs and it's only of songs by artists with # - C names.
So I tried exporting playlists and manually adding them but it seems to only copy random files from the playlist. The songs themselves are on my phone, though.

The second thing is that when I do "rescan" and "refresh cache" Winamp still wants to sync the entire library each time. Maybe the update you were talking about has been released and that's no longer necessary? So pushing those buttons makes it clear the (accurate) memory it'll automatically generate ?

I'm using the latest Winamp (5.6), Windows 7 and syncing to a Samsung Galaxy S2.
Any and all help would be very appreciated. Thank you!

finiC

i'm having a problem ... winamp is telling me that some songs are incompatible ? (using a motorola photon 4g) ... i know this is an OLD thread but maybe someone can help? ....

LTT078

This sync procees works great with my Palm Pre device with one exception - my playlists are empty! All songs I selected for syncing via the playlist feature get synced just fine, and the playlist files themselves get created with the .m3u file type, but they are empty with no entries in them..Thoughts anyone on how I can fix this?

Thx...Ltt078