Getting More Out of iTunes

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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.

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