I use the port behind the info screen for the tunes I converted from my cd's. I just ordered some ready made tunes on a usb drive. Just curious can you change from one port to another or do you have to use only the usb port behind the screen as default?

 

I believe the system will display the tracks from all attached USB devices so you can leave your main device behind the screen and then plug in the other device in the console.

 

Yes, you can switch from one USB device to the other (in your example, from the one behind the screen to the one in the console) just by pressing the "MEDIA" button until the device appears that you wish to hear.

I do it all the time. My main USB is the one in the console, with about 600 songs. But occasionally, I'll pop a smaller USB thumbdrive into the behind-screen port with a few newly-ripped songs that I want to hear.

 

I have sticks with tunes in the two ports in the console and also have tunes on my iPhone that is connected at the same time. I used to have a stick behind the entertainment before I eliminated that one with the gauge and Alky Control box I put there. To cycle from stick to stick to iPhone, I hit the media button repeatedly to hop to the next source.

 

Thanks all

Good to know

 

I keep a USB SSD drive in the cubby behind the screen. 250gb, has over 11000 songs on it, and still plenty of room to add more.

Just food for thought.

 

The only downside I see with behind the screen, is it gets hot back there. My 7th gen IPod does not like it back there.

 

Make me a copy!

 

Not to hijack, but, speaking of copies, can a person insert a loaded music thumb drive into a PC, then insert a blank thumb drive into another port, open each in an 80% window, then click and drag music from the loaded music thumb drive to the blank thumb drive, IOW, copy?

 

Yep. The music is stored as files in a standard folder structure. Of course you're at the mercy of how well the files are named and internally tagged.

 

Thanks JaxC7!

Transitioning from a 2013 to a 2016 provided a few challenges in the music department. It was a shocker to find no CD slot in the C7, which necessitated that I learn a few new skills. Windows Media Player has been a huge help, plus, the many C7 forum postings relating to this.

Among the new things learned, was the procedure to transfer ripped CDs to ITunes, thereby affording me the ability to load CDs on my iPhone. JMO, but, it seems like there will always be a need for a PC. How else could a person accomplish this?

A big Thank You, to all the forum members who selflessly/continually contribute their knowledge to other forum members.

 

Yep, a PC or Mac is pretty much required. I also can't overstate the importance of having your MP3 files properly tagged. Proper tagging will prevent a world of issues with how the stereo recognizes and organizes your files.

If you're on a PC, a couple of utilities come in handy to curate your collection of MP3s:

MP3Tag will allow you to easily edit the embedded tags in the MP3 files that help players (iDevices, car stereo, etc.) properly identify and organize your library.

MP3Gain is handy if you want to non-destructively volume level your MP3s. I don't do this for my home use, but the library in my cars is leveled to keep me from having to constantly raise and lower the stereo volume from track to track.

 

You might not like it. lol

It's mostly heavy metal, Killswitch Engage, Lamb of God, Gojira, etc...

Few oddballs thrown in like KMFDM, Ghost B.C.

Lots of stuff you'd here on Sirius Liquid Metal.

 

I have mentioned it before , you can grab a 4 port usb hub and jack it in any of the existing USB ports, add 1-4 usb drives and you will see each one when browsing media in the DIC (or togggling the “Media” buttton on the dash. There are limitations as to how many songs it will display so I keep the drives to 64g. Not sure how many songs I have but thousands. Also allow your drives to “index “ as the system will “look” at all of the songs and their location for searching .. I can make “mixes” for many moods and name each stick as such and that is how they display.... I hope this helps ...yes it heats up in that compartment but I have been doing this since 2014 in my 1st C7, in my 2016 SS, and in my 2016 z51.....enjoy

 

yea, not a metal fan

 

I need to do that. Please explain the process.

Also, if a person wanted Pandora in the Vette, but doesn't have unlimited iPhone data available, how would a person accomplish this? OnStar data? Just learned about Pandora, yesterday. Their music seems to be better than Sirius.

 

I'm at work right now, so when I get home this evening I'll do a quick write-up on using MP3Gain while I have access to the software.

Also, you might want to check out Spotify. After using several streaming services, I've decided on Spotify over the others due to the size of their library, quality of their apps for phone and PC, and the seamless integration with my Sonos system at home. There is a free version, but for $9.99 a month, you get access to their full library and the ability to download what you want to listen to for offline listening. That way you can download over WiFi at home and then listen in the car.

 

Well, I finally got some time this weekend to do a quick write up on volume leveling your MP3 library for your car with MP3Gain. This is by no means a comprehensive tutorial, just the basics to get you started. This also assumes that your MP3 files are already properly tagged so the car's system will index them and display them properly.

1) Download and install: http://mp3gain.sourceforge.net/
2) Make a copy of your MP3 files to a working directory. This avoids modifying your original files in case something goes wrong.
3) Open MP3Gain and click the “Add Folder” button. Select the directory you created in step 2. It will take some time for MP3Gain to do its initial scan and show you all the files.
4) After the files have loaded, set the Target “Normal” Volume. I find that the recommended 89dB is too low and find that 95dB works well. You may have to experiment by leveling and listening in the car multiple times.
5) I also recommend setting the “don’t clip when doing Track Gain” in the options menu to avoid over boosting already loud tracks.
6) You’ll need to decide if you want level each track individually or each album as a unit. I recommend leveling each track individually if you are planning to have the system play the files in a random order rather than complete albums.
7) Click the small down arrow next to the gain button to select the type of gain you want to use. Again, I recommend Track Gain.
8) Click the Track Gain button to start the process. This will take some time up to overnight depending on how many tracks you have.
9) When done, copy the entire directory you created in step 2 to a USB drive and plug it into your car.

 

JaxC7, Thank you!

Great write-up!

That effort will eliminate the need to constantly adjust the volume as the music is being played.

Appreciate that. Now, I need to try it w/a small playlist.

Again, thanks!

 

Having no cd player really screwed up listening to books on CD.