Macbook numpty question

[hifi_dave]

OK, numpty time again.

I have a Macbook and I'd like to put some music on it to demonstrate various bits of kit via USB. I don't want to do the i-tune thing, just a handful of CDs will do but the Macbook hasn't got a CD/DVD drive.

Help..:scratch:

[zen]

If you absolutely need a drive, you can get external USB drive, either from Apple or third party.

Mac OS X also allow you to use the drive of another Mac on the same network if you have one.

Finally, any computer you can rip files to can be used to share the resultant files by wifi/net connection.

Does that help?

David

[hifi_dave]

Thanks for that.

I have a Windows 7 laptop with a DVD drive. Can I connect that to the Macbook and download the music on that to the Macbook or do I use the Windows machine as a drive only ?

I did say I am a numpty, right !!!

[zen]

You can't use the Windows laptop as a remote drive from the Mac, but you can rip music on your laptop and then transfer them to your Mac (and a number of ways to do that depending on how you are set up).

Nothing numpty about your query. If you don't know, you don't know. That doesn't make anyone a numpty. The numpty is the person who doesn't know and doesn't ask! :)

[hifi_dave]

I have some CDs downloaded onto the Windows laptop. Do I just connect that to the Macbook via USB and download ?

[zen]

There are USB solutions I have seen in the past, but you can't just plug in a USB cable and expect it to work.

You can use a USB stick or hard drive and transfer it that way. If the stick/drive is Windows formatted the Mac will be able to read it, although Windows machines can't read Mac formatted devices.

Or you can look your machines together on the same network (or directly with a single networking cable) and transfer that way. There are a number of tutorials on this. This one is reasonably clear I think, although if this is all new to you it might feel a little overwhelming:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPURiFdEjaQ

It's in two parts, it shows you how to share from your Mac to Windows, and from Windows to your Mac - but either approach would allow you to share files both ways.

Hope that helps.

David

[hifi_dave]

Thanks David. It does look a bit daunting for me, so I will attempt the USB stick approach.

[pjdowns]

I would definitely import the CD's on your Windows machine and then transfer via USB stick to the Apple… either way you could use iTunes to import the music, but if you prefer there are plenty of other options available for free on internet.

For playback on the Mac, I would advise using iTunes, it is just sooo much easier :)

Paul.

[hifi_dave]

OK. I have now loaded some music files from my Windows laptop to a USB stick which plays absolutely fine in the laptop. However, it doesn't work in the Macbook.It loads and I can open the file, pick a track and play but there is no sound from internal speakers, headphone socket or USB out. I've checked that the 'sound' facility box thingy is checked to play but there is no sound.

What am I doing wrong ?

[zen]

Do you know what format the Windows files are?

What software are you using to play?

Have you checked System Preferences -> Sound -> Sound Output to make sure correct output is selected and a volume is set at something you can hear?

[hifi_dave]

Not sure. I have some music on the laptop, downloaded from a CD. I just moved the file across to the USB stick.

I just plugged the USB stick into the Macbook and clicked on the icon. Then I selected the music file and picked out a track to play. So basically, I let the Macbook do the job.

I have tried all the 'system preferences' options for internal speakers, headphone and USB.

Would an Apple USB Super Drive make my life easier ?

I'm far happier playing an LP..:scratch:

[hifilover]

A super drive will make life easier but it doesn't have to be an Apple super drive...

Any external drive will work as long as it has a USB connection :)

Why don't you want to use iTunes?

[hifilover]

Not sure. I have some music on the laptop, downloaded from a CD. I just moved the file across to the USB stick.

I just plugged the USB stick into the Macbook and clicked on the icon. Then I selected the music file and picked out a track to play. So basically, I let the Macbook do the job.

I have tried all the 'system preferences' options for internal speakers, headphone and USB.

Would an Apple USB Super Drive make my life easier ?

I'm far happier playing an LP..:scratch:

What programme was your MB opening the music (QuickTime etc)?

[Gordon Steadman]

Probably FLAC files. iTunes will read MP3s, WAVs, ALAC, AAC, AIFFs. You can convert them to something the Mac will read quite easily. I use Audacity as its extremely easy to use and does the job. Open the file in Audacity and export it as an AIFF would be my first choice, biggest file but max quality, you can always convert it to lossless later and see if you can tell the difference.

I think iTunes is the automatic prog used to open any music file by default.

[pjdowns]

Probably FLAC files. iTunes will read MP3s, WAVs, ALAC, AAC, AIFFs. You can convert them to something the Mac will read quite easily. I use Audacity as its extremely easy to use and does the job. Open the file in Audacity and export it as an AIFF would be my first choice, biggest file but max quality, you can always convert it to lossless later and see if you can tell the difference.

I think iTunes is the automatic prog used to open any music file by default.

I second Gordon's statement, sounds like you've imported as FLAC which would certainly be causing your issues. Now, you can either rectify it by following Gordon's advise or alternatively re-import the files and make sure it is in a format that iTunes can play. If quality is not an importance I'd go with MP3 192, but for quality try a lossless format just not FLAC.

Paul.