Files missing when syncing from source eg iTunes to stage tracks 3

I'm going to have to upset Peter and agree with NeilC.

If you read my post [(https://support.stagetraxx.com/d/914-retaining-a-song-in-a-playlist-after-updating-it/1)] I too have had the problem of files failing to import or importing with a time of 0, etc. It's not because you normalized the songs. I had these errors with MP3 files all the time so I tried going with M4A files but it started doing the same albeit less frequently.

@NeilC this happens when you import all the iTunes files in one go. I think you should avoid using iTunes as a go-between step. The problem with iTunes is the number of times you have to store a track. You need your source files on PC, then you have to load them into iTunes, then hope they sync correctly. Then you have to import them from iTunes into Stage Traxx.

There are other (maybe seemingly more difficult) ways to get the files into the iPad without iTunes or USB. The problem is, and I'll create a video to show it, even if you import over a network connection which is how I do it, or from iCloud, you will get the same problem if you are importing that many files in one go.

That's the problem. I believe from a programmatic point of view that it is an overload of the import process.

I didn't pursue this in my post because it was me against the world.

But there are ways that work around this, and that's what you have to do to put bread on the table.

I'd say the best way to get a large number of songs in without error is to copy them directly into the Stage Traxx 3 folder via Files app on your iPad.

Don't use ST3's import. That's where I believe the problem is. But, if you really want to do it that way, import songs in batches of 30.

Probably the easiest way to get them directly into the ST3 folder, as PC user, is to use OneDrive or DropBox. (I use an SMB network connection over WiFi, but that's not for everyone.) Put all your songs on the cloud. Then, link up access to whatever cloud you use in iPad's Files app. Then in files app, copy over all the songs into the Stage Traxx 3 folder, ie. "On My iPad". After that, go into ST3 and pull down the song list which will trigger a refresh and effectively import your songs..

MasterAnt love your work Ant, we are all fortunate Peter has created something thats been needed years ago for us performers what stands in our way is a crappy operating system that needs normal people to decide how it works and not highly skilled computer nerds that have no life experiance.

Completely agree with @MasterAnt. Ditch iTunes for song mangement if you can. As you are using Windows you still need it for file transfers but try to stick to iTunes Filesharing. Just drag and drop your mp3 Files via iTunes filesharing into Stage Traxx 3 and then refresh the song list in ST3: https://stagetraxx.com/user-guide/songs/#refresh-song-list

Be cautious with Dropbox. The iOS integration into the Files app is a bit buggy. Stage Traxx does often get notifications about finished downloads too early and that results in empty files being imported from Dropbox. iCloud Drive works much better and is way cheaper ($1 per month for 50GB storage).

Anyway, stick to transfering audio files directly. Putting them into iTunes first is an unnecessary additional step which will also downgrade audio quality as ST3 needs to transcode them during import from iTunes.

And regarding your missing song problem with ST2 after messing around with your iTunes library, please follow these guidelines: https://support.stagetraxx.com/d/500-missing-songs

Yes, just select Stage Traxx 3 in the iTunes Filesharing dialog and drag and drop your mp3 files into it. They will be copied into the Stage Traxx 3 folder on your iPad and then you start ST3 and refresh the song list. All done. Now all songs will show up. Then you can create playlists in ST3 and add these songs to the playlists.

Whenever you need to update a file, again just drag and drop it in to the filesharing box. It will overwrite the file on your iPad. Then refresh the songlist so that ST3 is aware of the changes and you are done.

NeilC good advice, once you transfer your files to ST3 folder stay away from itunes and music completely, load all your songs to ST3 and you wont look back, i have all my music on ST3 including my listening songs my backing tracks, my DJing songs, its just that much simpler, safer, faster to do everything MUSIC playback related and its simply fullybacked up and works on all the important devices imac, ipad, iphone.
ST3 is an Absolute no brainer if you rely heavily on music.
Good luck with the gig, i have a wedding coming up , cant wait i am sooo ready to gig again and have so many tricks up my sleve using ST3 i cant wait.

I guess you need to unlock the full version purchse. Open the settings tab, select In App Purchases and then tap on "Restore Purchases". You need to do that whenever you reinstall the app. After this step, refresh the songlist again and all remaining songs will be added.

NeilC I have noticed there are a few M4a files in this file share as I drag and dropped a lot of my backing tracks
Will ST3 still recognize them and will iPad play them as they ain’t MP3 ?

These are the files you imported through iTunes. As I wrote above ST3 needs to transcode these iTunes files and stores them as m4a files. ST3 can play multiple file formats. So it does not really care if a file is mp3 or m4a. But keep in mind, if you have a mp3 version and a m4a version of a song, it will be displayed as 2 identical songs in ST3. You will only see a difference in the song details (different filename).

You can only add songs to a playlist in ST3 that you have already imported. It will not show any songs from iTunes. You should see all the songs you have copied via iTunes filesharing.

Well, I would import all songs and then start building playlists in ST3 and editing lyrics.