Although the MP3 player has a touch screen and colorful icons that seem easy to use, sometimes this device also feels less user-friendly. Master how to use an MP3 player, from syncing, to ripping CDs, to copying music files, by learning some basic processes.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Using Apple iPod touch, Nano, and Shuffle with iTunes
All Apple devices use the same interface, so this guide also applies to iPhones and iPads.
Step 1. Choose one of Apple's MP3 players if you don't already have one
iPod touch, Nano, and Shuffle can both play music, but each device has its own specialty. Choose a device that fits your lifestyle and wallet. Read step 2 if you already have an iPod.
- The iPod Shuffle is the cheapest and smallest iPod of the iPod product line. The iPod Shuffle is slightly larger than a postage stamp, and can hold as much as 2GB of music. You can use iPod Shuffle by pressing a physical button on the device. iPod Shuffle can also be attached to clothing, making it perfect for sports.
- The iPod Nano is Apple's mid-range device. This device has a 2.5-inch touch screen, costs around Rp. 2,500,000, and can accommodate up to 16GB of music. The iPod Nano also has an FM radio, and supports sports tracking features such as Nike+.
- The iPod Touch is an iPod that is very much like the iPhone, both in terms of shape, size, and color. iPod Touch is available in 16, 32, and 64GB sizes. You can download apps and games, surf the internet, check email, and do almost anything like an iPhone, except make calls.
Step 2. Download iTunes
Apple designed all of their MP3 players to connect using iTunes. The software is available for PC and Mac, and allows you to download and purchase music, videos, and applications on your device. Visit https://www.apple.com/itunes/download/ to download the latest version of iTunes.
- The iTunes download page initially offered iTunes for Windows. If you're on a Mac, click the blue "Get iTunes for Macintosh" link under the "Download Now" link.
- You can download the latest version of iTunes from the page above if you already have iTunes installed on your computer.
Step 3. Install iTunes by going to the directory where you saved the program's installation files and double-clicking the installation program
Step 4. Connect iPod to computer with Apple USB cable
Apple includes a special USB cable to connect the iPod to a computer in every iPod sales package. You can buy a replacement cable at an electronics store, or online, where it says "Apple USB cable."
Step 5. Open iTunes
iTunes may open automatically when you connect an MP3 player. If iTunes doesn't open, double-click the iTunes icon, which can usually be found on the desktop (Windows) or the Applications directory (Mac).
Step 6. Click iPod when iPod appears in the left pane of the screen
On iTunes 12 and up, the device icon will appear in the upper left of the screen, below the menu, next to the music and TV notes icon. On older iTunes (under version 12), look for your MP3 player icon in the "Devices" section.
Step 7. Click the tab under "Settings" for the available options
Available tabs include "Summary" (contains a preview of the device), "Music" (contains playlists and albums synced to the device), and others.
Step 8. Click the "Music" tab, then select "Sync Music" at the top of the screen
From this menu, iTunes lets you choose between syncing your entire music library, or just specific songs/albums/playlists.
Your MP3 player can only store music according to its storage capacity. Notice the "Storage" bar at the top of the screen, which shows the free space on the device (in GB)
Step 9. Once ready, click the "Sync" button in the lower right corner of the screen
This process will copy the music of your choice to the MP3 player.
Step 10. Once the sync is complete, click the "Eject" button in the upper-left corner of the screen (near the device name) to safely remove the device from the computer
Method 2 of 4: Buying Music for iPod touch, Nano, or Shuffle
Step 1. Open iTunes, then click the "iTunes Store" option
Accessing and browsing content in the iTunes Store differs between iTunes versions 12 and above and older versions of iTunes.
- iTunes 12 and up: Click the music notation at the top left of the screen, under the File and Edit menu. Next, click the "iTunes Store" tab in the middle of the screen.
- iTunes 11 and below: On the left side of the screen, click "iTunes Store" under the "Store" column.
Step 2. Search for a song, or use the tabs in the center of the screen to browse the store
This tab displays options such as "Songs", "Albums", and "Artists". You can immediately find what you want by clicking the search bar in the top right corner of the screen.
Step 3. View the music you have by clicking on the music notation icon in the sidebar
This step may also need to be done differently, depending on the version of iTunes you are using.
- iTunes 12 and up: After clicking the music notation, click the "My Music" tab in the center of the screen, or click "Purchased" in the sidebar.
- iTunes 11 and below: After clicking a music notation, click a tab like "Albums" or "Genres" to sort your music. To see all the music you have, click "All Artists" in the center of the screen.
Step 4. Sync music to iPod using iTunes
Read the previous section in this article for more information.
Method 3 of 4: Playing Music with iPod touch, Nano, or Shuffle
Step 1. Tap on the Music app with the notation icon in the orange box
Step 2. Tap the tabs at the bottom of the screen to browse the playlist
The "Artists" column divides the songs you enter by artist, the "Playlists" column shows your playlists, and so on.
By tapping "More", you can see other music sorting options, such as "Albums" and "Genres"
Step 3. Tap the song to start playing it, and use the controls at the bottom of the screen to pause, skip, or replay a specific part of the song
Method 4 of 4: Using Another MP3 Player
Copying music to an MP3 player other than an iPod, such as the Samsung Galaxy Player, is easy.
Step 1. Connect the MP3 player with the computer
Most MP3 players can be connected to a computer via a miniUSB or microUSB cable which can be found easily and inexpensively. The cable may also be included in the package you purchased your MP3 player with.
Step 2. Find your music storage directory, then double click to open it
Step 3. Get ready to copy the music files to the MP3 player
In Windows, click Start → My Computer → (name of your MP3 player). On a Mac, devices such as MP3 players will automatically appear on the desktop. Double click your MP3 player to open it. If you don't see your device, click the face-shaped Finder icon at the bottom of the screen, then find the device in the Devices section on the left of the screen.
Step 4. Drag and drop music to your MP3 player's music directory
This directory may have a different name depending on the device, but most devices use the name "Music".
Step 5. Safely remove the MP3 player to avoid data loss -- don't unplug the MP3 player immediately after you've finished copying files
- In Windows, right-click the checkbox at the bottom right of the screen, click "Eject," then select your device name.
- On a Mac, open Finder and click "Eject" next to your MP3 player's name.
Tips
- Buy good headphones so you can hear musk in public without disturbing others.
- If you want to buy an MP3 player, you don't need to buy the latest model. MP3 technology only advances slightly every few years, so MP3 players released a few years ago are still as reliable as new, expensive MP3 players.
- Expand your music library by ripping music from your CD collection and transferring it to an MP3 player.
