Overclock.net banner

Best PC Alternative to iTunes

3K views 17 replies 10 participants last post by  davcc22 
#1 ·
Hey there OCN!

What is your favorite music manager that you use to browse/play music? Im currently using iTunes and i really want to get this Apple software off my computer because its constantly annoying me and i NEVER use itunes or pay apple for anything. I just have never heard of any great alternatives yet!

Post your favorite music manager alternative to iTunes!

-Eric
 
#2 ·
best simple lightweight and best audio quality music player and library manager is foobar2000. on windows. period. audiophile level audio quality in less than 10mb.
 
#4 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by pokerapar88 View Post

best simple lightweight and best audio quality music player and library manager is foobar2000. on windows. period. audiophile level audio quality in less than 10mb.
http://www.foobar2000.org/

Interesting. I will have to give it a try. I like how it can play FLAC files while iTunes can not!

-E
 
#5 ·
Foobar2000, but JRiver Media Center is a good paid alternative.
 
#6 ·
I use Foobar2k here as well. Using Foobar with the Facets plugin makes it one of the most powerful library managers out there, IMO.
thumb.gif
 
#7 ·
I've personally ran into multiple graphical issues when using Facets, it seems the developer doesn't update the plugin anymore. =\
 
#8 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric335 View Post

http://www.foobar2000.org/

Interesting. I will have to give it a try. I like how it can play FLAC files while iTunes can not!

-E
There are components you can download from their website to allow support for other formats (many other formats) and also plug-ins for improving the functionality of the software. Even track analizing. Once you get it going check the settings, output, dsp, etc. You can download a plug-in that allows to bypass the windows audio session and generate bit-exact playback:

http://www.foobar2000.org/components/view/foo_out_ks

There's also support for ASIO playback if you have an able soundcard:

http://www.foobar2000.org/components/view/foo_out_asio

Many say that it improves audio quality, and many (including the ones that did the plug-in) say it does more harm than good... in my case sound is crisp when using it.
 
#9 ·
If you wish to do any sort of migration of absolutely anything from itunes, foobar is not for you. I'd go with Winamp if you want to actually migrate playstats, ratings, playcounts, date added etc.

It's near impossible to import from itunes to foobar completely, and their community is so stuck up they expect you to know how to do it before you ask. Despite there being ZERO documentation of it. Anywhere.
 
#10 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Raven Dizzle View Post

If you wish to do any sort of migration of absolutely anything from itunes, foobar is not for you. I'd go with Winamp if you want to actually migrate playstats, ratings, playcounts, date added etc.

It's near impossible to import from itunes to foobar completely, and their community is so stuck up they expect you to know how to do it before you ask. Despite there being ZERO documentation of it. Anywhere.
Yeah, winamp can do that. It is not as lightweight and audio quality is not as good but it has support for many formats and plugins too.
 
#11 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by pokerapar88 View Post

Yeah, winamp can do that. It is not as lightweight and audio quality is not as good but it has support for many formats and plugins too.
The audio quality difference is so little it's negligible. I'll take the 10x more functionality any day.
 
#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Raven Dizzle View Post

The audio quality difference is so little it's negligible. I'll take the 10x more functionality any day.
Well, we can agree on that, it is a fact. What one chooses is more a matter of personal oppinion and taste. I find the winamp functionality better and it looks even better too, but when it comes to audio quality I do find a difference, and I would sacrifice everything else for pristine audio quality. I have a dedicated soundcard, a big 800w amplifier and great quality japanese speakers... and a shure srh-440 for quiet audio sessions... so yeah I rather have an ugly and cluncky interface but rocking audio quality (besides all I need is a basic library manager, a playlist with filters and search function and shuffle function). For the average listener, winamp is more than fine. For audiophiles foobar2000 is gonna be the choice. I hope that foobar2000 updates its looks oficialy so there's no need for 3rd party skins to make it look decent.
 
#14 ·
I have been a solid Winamp user for over 3 years now, coming from iTunes. I love it. Bought Pro.

To be honest I didn't like Foobar but then again, I like functionality and I only do a slight bit of FLAC and WMA files, mostly 320 MP3s.

Winamp has a huge forum following. Very simple to use if you know simple stuff on W7.

TL;DR - BRASS TAX. Since you are a non-MEGA enthusiast user, go with Winamp. Much more stable and user friendly/better UI.

WINAMP FOR YOUR NEEDS
 
#15 ·
I might try WinAmp as well and demo both Foobar and WinAmp. Im definitely not an audiophile, no soundcard, and somewhat crappy speaker set-up so that isnt my concern.

One huge problem I have is that my library of files contains TONS of duplicates. Hopefully Winamp can delete the FILES and not just the Thumbnails in the program.
 
#16 ·
Okay I like Winamp the best
biggrin.gif
Love this new player including all the notifications and stuff and GUI and all that jazz. Thanks everyone!

Easily imported from iTunes (which i already deleted all duplicates on there so i didnt have to deal with that). Any1 have a suggestion for deleting duplicate song files?
 
#17 ·
there is a small problem with foobar...

i recently purchased a new ipod touch (because for some reason, apple are still the only firm that make decent mp3 players worth buying)
and its running IOS7 out of the box, (ipod touch 5th gen)

foobar has an ipod manager plugin but for some reason it just doesnt work with my new ipod.

it copies the songs onto the ipod ok but when i try to view it in the Music app, its not there at all... when i plug it back into the pc, it shows that the songs are still there!

I have no idea what the problem is or how to fix it. Im worried that ill have to go back to itunes because ipod manager plugin is abondonware.
 
#18 ·
what about zune dose all itunes dose and more can teackdown that missing albm art work for ya but it can be known to sappp on the gpu a tad thats for that fancy grapics of corce and best part is its free
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top