Instructions for Creating an Interval Playlist

[dislvr74]

Hi! A few people have asked me how I create an interval playlist in itunes that inserts a "ding" when I am supposed to start running/walking. I've put together these instructions which should help, but feel free to PM me if you need more assistance.

I prefer to split up a podrunner podcast into 1 minute pieces for this. If you are planning to use your regular running playlist, you can skip to step 9. Just be aware that your songs might be cut off before the end.

1. Visit Podrunner at http://www.djsteveboy.com/podrunner.html and download your preferred BPM mix. I’m using a 171 bpm mix.

2. Visit http://download.cnet.com/MP3-Cutter/3000-2170_4-10724232.html and download a free trial of MP3 Cutter.

3. Open MP3 Cutter and select file than open MP3 file. Select the podcast that you downloaded in step 1. You should see something like this:

4. I find it easier to tell the program to divide the podcast into evenly spaced chunks rather than setting the cut points myself. This podcast is about 56 minutes long and I want one minute chunks, so I’m going to spilt it into 56 pieces. Select Cut points then Add Cut Points.

5. Select Add two or more cut points and enter 56 (or whatever). It should look like this:

Continued in next post.

 

[dislvr74]

6. Select OK and a bunch of red lines will appear at the top.

7. Select File then Save to Separate Files. The wizard will take you through the steps to save your files. When you are done, you will have 56 separate mp3 files that are one minute long.

8. Open itunes and import your 56 mp3 files. I like to create a separate playlist for the files. Make sure the files are in the correct order in your playlist.

9. Now visit http://www.active.com/donate/tntntx/jeffwelch to download the itunes runners playlist file. Unzip to your desktop and add the "Ding.mp3" to iTunes.

10. Open your itunes runners playlist folder and double-click on Createrunnersplaylist.vbs. Enter your playlist name (for me that is 171BPM) and select OK. Enter your interval ratio. I want to run 2/walk 1 so I will enter “2,1” but you can enter any ratio you like. Select OK.

11. After a few seconds, you will see a message that your playlist has been created. Note that I now have a playlist named “*171BPM” and that playlist has the ding.mp3 file inserted every two/one minutes.

12. You’re done!

13. Use Undoitunesrunnersplaylist.vbs file when you want to undo this playlist and create something else.

 

[Ronda93]

Cool. Do you get brief silences as the playlist moves from mp3 to mp3 or can you get rid of those?

Thanks for the tutorial,
Ronda

P.S. I'm a podrunner fan, too.

 

[dislvr74]

No, there isn't any silence at all. Just a ding and then the next file starts. I like using the podcasts with the mp3 splitter because it sounds like one continuous song.

 

[Ronda93]

Another reason for a new nano... gapless playback.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Thanks, I may try to play with this some day soon. Sounds like just the thing!

 

[dislvr74]

I know the instructions are kind of involved, but once you go through them once, it becomes quick and easy.