Member Avatar for Exotikat

Is there some trick to permanently linking two or more tracks so that they always play together? For instance, Jackson Browne in a concert played "The Load Out" and "Stay" one after the other, and that's how I always want to hear them, even when everything else is constantly "shuffled". Thanks for the help!

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by spreinke

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As pointed out, the only foolproof way to keep two (or more) songs playing together on an iPod — even when the player is set to shuffle — is to make them a single audio file. Treat the pair as one track so the iPod can never split them apart.

If you have the files on your computer, use a simple audio editor to join them. Free cross-platform choice is Audacity; Mac users can also use GarageBand or similar editors. Typical steps: import both files, place the second immediately after the first (use the time‑shift tool), apply a short fade/crossfade if you want the concert flow preserved, then export the result to an iPod-friendly format such as MP3 or M4A. If the songs are on a CD, iTunes can join CD tracks during import (use the Join CD Tracks option when ripping).

After exporting, add the new combined file to iTunes (File > Add to Library). Edit the track info so the title/artist/album read sensibly (for example, “The Load Out / Stay”). Then remove or deselect the original separate tracks from the sync list so only the combined file goes to the iPod, and sync normally.

Quick cautions and troubleshooting: always keep backups of the originals before editing. Some purchased tracks may be DRM‑protected and cannot be edited — check the file “Kind” in iTunes’ Get Info. If playback still has a gap on the iPod, add a tiny crossfade inside the editor before exporting; that creates a seamless transition baked into the file. This merge approach is the practical, long‑term solution to ensure two songs stay together on an iPod.

Member Avatar for spreinke

Import them into an audio editing program and combine them into a single track. I don't think there is any way to permanently link them, but they can be made into one track/file.

Member Avatar for Exotikat

Sorry to be so obtuse -- but where can I locate an audio editing program?

Member Avatar for spreinke

You can get audio editing places any number of places, including - I've heard - some shareware ones. I use Soundtrack, which comes with Final Cut.

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