Evan Kleiman
- 2002.05.07
Many people use iTunes as their usual MP3 player. However, not
many of them know of all of the great features it boasts to truly
unlock its full potential. Today I'll help you get the most out of
your music experience.
Download iTunes 2
Many people who use iTunes as their MP3 player of choice had it
preinstalled on their system when they installed OS X. What
many users don't know is that the version of iTunes that was
included with their system software was possibly the older version,
iTunes 1. I know that the OS X CDs that I have only include
iTunes 1, which is a much different experience than iTunes 2.
To check your version number, go to the Apple Menu and select
"about iTunes" in OS 9 or go to the iTunes menu and select
"About iTunes" in OS X. If you don't have version 2, get it from Apple's
site.
This new version offers such features as a cross-fader,
equalizer, and iPod support, among other things.
Use the Equalizer
Speaking of the many new features of iTunes 2, the Graphic
Equalizer or Graphic EQ is one of them, and most people don't even
know that it exists. With it, you are able to raise or lower the
sound frequencies in the hearable spectrum (from 32 Hz to 16
KHz).
But now that you know what it does, how can you get to it?
To open the Equalizer, all you need to do is click the little
button on the bottom left hand corner, nearest to the right. When
you click the button, a new window will pop up, resembling
traditional EQs, in which you can set the music to how you want it,
including many different presets and a built-in pre-amp for
lowering music recorded to loudly, or raising music recorded too
softly.
Use the Visual
While this little feature won't really improve your music
experience, it is sure to be bound to impress quite a number of
your friends. Basically, it's just like the thing on your regular
stereo that shows sound levels at different frequencies - but it
twists things a little to give it cool effects. It's sort of like a
music-responsive screen saver! To activate it, all you need to do
is put on your favorite song and click the button between the
"eject" button and the "equalizer" button; it'll look like a little
atom. Now relax and wait for your friends to be impressed!
Skin It!
Many users of MP3 players such as Audion and SoundJam
(discontinued) say that they would use iTunes as their MP3 player,
but they miss the ability to "skin" or customize their players -
but iTunes has this feature! All it takes is a little bit of
ResEdit Hacking and a trip over to ResExcellence's
iTunes skin archive.
