MB does not support direct-syncing to iDevices with iOS higher than 3.11. If you don't want to touch your firmware, you need to use either iTunes or "iPod & iPhone Driver" plugin (
http://getmusicbee.com/forum/index.php?topic=10634.0) in order to sync.
This guide covers how to sync iDevices (specifically the iPod Classic) with older firmware
without using iTunes. These instructions are specifically for the iPod Classic 160 gb 6th Generation, which I have been using successfully with MB since 2010. As with all computer tricks, your mileage may vary and neither I nor the developer of MusicBee, can be held responsible if these instructions don't work for you.
Requirements
1 - You must use iTunes 9.2.1 available from
http://www.oldapps.com/itunes.php.
2 - Your Classic must be at firmware 2.0.4, which is/was the original firmware for the Classic 6th Generation series.
3 - Any version of MB.
Instructions
iTunes and the Classic
1 - Uninstall your current iTunes and reinstall version 9.2.1.
2 -
DO NOT allow iTunes to update or share anything. Uncheck everything in Edit > Preferences > Sharing, and Store.
3 - Connect your device. When it shows up in the navigator list, go through every tab across the top and make sure to uncheck all syncs.
4 - Go back to the Summary tab and check the software version number. If it's greater than 2.0.4 you will need to restore it back to its original iOS, which hopefully is 2.0.4. If you're lucky enough to still have 2.0.4 on the device, jump to the "MusicBee and the Classic" section below.
5 - You may see a warning that your iPod software is out of date.
DO NOT update it.
6 - Click on Restore. This will restore the device to its original firmware. (It's been quite a while since I had to do this, but I think it will tell you what iOS it will restore to. If it's anything greater that 2.0.4, you're out of luck. You may as well disconnect and stop now. If it offers to restore to 2.03 or 2.04, continue.
NOTE: anything on your device at this point will be deleted. You probably should make a backup of your device if you care about what's on it.
7 - Once complete, you can name the device. Then disconnect it, exit and say goodbye to iTunes. You shouldn't need it again unless you need to restore the device again.
MusicBee and the Classic
1 - Launch MB and then connect your Classic.
2 - In a few minutes it will show up under Devices (which is below the Computer node) in the left sidebar Navigator. Be patient. It takes mine two to three minutes to appear.
3 - Once it appears, click on the device name and you'll come to the Music window of MB.
4 - Select whether to sync music and/or playlists.
5 - For music, you can choose between syncing all your music (with or without filters) or having MB fill the device with a random selection of music.
6 - For playlists, you can choose between syncing all your playlists of only those you select.
7 - Work your way down the list below the Music node and select (or not) if you want podcasts, audiobooks, or video to be included in the sync.
8 - Click on Settings and choose from the various options in the top section, the on-the-fly conversion section, and the artwork storage section.
9 - For the Media Storage section make sure it is set as follows (which should auto-fill but you never know)
- Storage path: \iPod_Control\Music
- music files; F01\nnnn
- audiobook files: \iPod_Control\iTunesPlaylists\Audiobooks
- video files: \iPod_Control\iTunesPlaylists\Video
- podcast files: \iPod_Control\iTunesPlaylists\Podcasts
10 - In the upper right of the sync window, you can choose to preview what is going to be copied, deleted, and/or updated with the sync.
11 - When satisfied with the preview, click on Synchronise.
12 - When sync is complete, right-click on the device name in the navigation panel and select 'safely remove.'
My 160 gb is almost full and if I were to wipe it and do a complete sync of all my music and playlists, it would take six to eight hours. Don't be alarmed if it seems to be taking a while. Check the status bar (lower left of the MB window) to see the progress.