How to Record Music From a Compact Disc to an iPod
Carrying around dozens of CDs can be a cumbersome task, so it makes a lot of sense to record the music from those discs for playback on an easier-to-carry iPod. Apple's iTunes software makes this process seamless. Using iTunes to record music from a CD and transfer it onto an iPod is actually faster than recording the music to the device in real-time.
How to Record Music from a CD to an iPod
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1.
Download and install the iTunes software from Apples' website on the computer you want to use to record music from CDs. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation process once the download completes.
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2.
Open the iTunes software.
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Connect the iPod to the computer using the iPod's USB connection cable. The smaller USB end connects to the computer and the wider, thinner side connects to the bottom of the iPod.
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Click on the iPod device in iTunes' left column. When iTunes asks you to sync the iPod, select the "Apply" option on the right-side of the iTunes window to pair the computer with the iPod.
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5.
Insert the CD you want to copy into the computer's optical media -- CD, DVD or Blu-ray -- drive.
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6.
Select the icon for the CD from the left column of the iTunes window, then click the "Import CD" icon located near the top-right corner of the iTunes window.
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When iTunes is done "ripping" the CD, click on the "Music" icon underneath "Library" in the left column of the iTunes window.
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Locate the songs you want to copy to the iPod in the library. You can select songs by clicking on them. Click the selected songs and hold down the mouse button while dragging the mouse cursor over to the iPod's icon in the left column to transfer the songs to the iPod.
References
Resources
Tips
- You can select multiple songs by holding down the "Control" or "Ctrl" button on the keyboard and clicking multiple each individual track that you want to copy. You can batch select songs by clicking on the first track you want to copy and holding down the "Shift" key on the keyboard when you select the last song -- in sequential order -- that you want to copy.
- It is also possible to record music from a CD in real time by using the iPod's "voice memo" recording program. However, the built-in microphone found on some models is not appropriate to record high-fidelity audio from a CD.
Warnings
- Limitations in the iTunes software prevent you from syncing an iPod to more than one computer. If you connect the iPod to a second computer and try to repeat this process, the second computer clears all media data on the iPod. However, it remains intact on the original computer.
Writer Bio
Dan Stone started writing professionally in 2006, specializing in education, technology and music. He is a web developer for a communications company and previously worked in television. Stone received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and a Master of Arts in communication studies from Northern Illinois University.