Downloading Google Music Library

[Skiver Veteran]

After months of being prompted I finally decided to give the Google All Access music a try however it seems impossible to actually download any of the songs from the online library locally to my computer.

 

The only way I have found that this is possible is to add each song to my library and then in Google Music Manager select to download my library. Whilst atm the library is small (around 800 songs) that still takes a substantial amount of time to download in the future that will just become ridiculous to download an entire library for what might be one or two tracks etc.

 

Secondly, the manager seems completely dumb and just creates duplicates of the files I actually uploaded to it from my own collection that is local already. So much so that I cancelled it at first and looked around for alternatives and then re-started when I came up dry and it started creating duplicates of the duplicates!!

 

I found one application that appeared to do exactly what I wanted but it stripped the DRM out completely which is obviously not exactly legit so I got rid of it, not to mention after "downloading" 10 or so tracks it claims it needs a license ($16.99 for 3 months). 

 

It seems like google have invested absolutely no time in effort for anyone who isn't using android or am I missing some hidden gem? I just want the music locally on my laptop so I can listen to it in my own player? Are there any music services that allow this?

[Draconian Guppy]

After months of being prompted I finally decided to give the Google All Access music a try however it seems impossible to actually download any of the songs from the online library locally to my computer.

 

The only way I have found that this is possible is to add each song to my library and then in Google Music Manager select to download my library. Whilst atm the library is small (around 800 songs) that still takes a substantial amount of time to download in the future that will just become ridiculous to download an entire library for what might be one or two tracks etc.

 

Secondly, the manager seems completely dumb and just creates duplicates of the files I actually uploaded to it from my own collection that is local already. So much so that I cancelled it at first and looked around for alternatives and then re-started when I came up dry and it started creating duplicates of the duplicates!!

 

I found one application that appeared to do exactly what I wanted but it stripped the DRM out completely which is obviously not exactly legit so I got rid of it, not to mention after "downloading" 10 or so tracks it claims it needs a license ($16.99 for 3 months). 

 

It seems like google have invested absolutely no time in effort for anyone who isn't using android or am I missing some hidden gem? I just want the music locally on my laptop so I can listen to it in my own player? Are there any music services that allow this?

How about setting up your own media server with plex or another alike?

[Skiver Veteran]

How about setting up your own media server with plex or another alike?

I listen to most of my music at work so it's not really an option.

[BritBronco]

Can you check the button with 3 dots next to the shuffle (when looking at the album you want), it has an option to download (though only 2 times) not sure if it will work for the all access pass stuff though.

[Draconian Guppy]

I listen to most of my music at work so it's not really an option.

Watching Media from your Server Away from Home

The Server lets you publish your Libraries over the internet. This is a private connection and is not the same as publishing it like a newspaper! Your upload speed becomes really important when viewing your Server's media over the internet. Some countries have great connections that offer 5Mbps+ upload speeds while others offer slower speeds. ADSL2 typically has a 512Kbps connection, which is too slow for HD media.

If you have a slow upload connection, you can set the App you're using to use a lower quality, which will be better suited to the slower upload connection.

 

https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/200393036-Internet-Connection

[Skiver Veteran]

Can you check the button with 3 dots next to the shuffle, it has an option to download (though only 2 times) not sure if it will work for the all access pass stuff though.

 

Just once would be OK, but it seems that option is only there for Free/Purchased tracks, not songs I've added to my library from the All Access Library. I'm still waiting for the entire library download to finish but it looks to have even duplicated the free/purchased tracks

 

Watching Media from your Server Away from Home

The Server lets you publish your Libraries over the internet. This is a private connection and is not the same as publishing it like a newspaper! Your upload speed becomes really important when viewing your Server's media over the internet. Some countries have great connections that offer 5Mbps+ upload speeds while others offer slower speeds. ADSL2 typically has a 512Kbps connection, which is too slow for HD media.

If you have a slow upload connection, you can set the App you're using to use a lower quality, which will be better suited to the slower upload connection.

 

https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/200393036-Internet-Connection

 

 

I don't have anything capable of running as a server at home. I'd rather revert back to creating playlists in YouTube then actually buying something for the sole purpose of hosting a few tracks!

I just want to be able to have one central place to "store" my music that I can play locally on my laptop or access via a data connection on my mobile and have access to new songs via a subscription service. I thought when I decided to give this a try it would be pretty straight forward but it seems not. I might have to look at spotify as an alternative, as I know that has a local client I can use but in an ideal world I'd be able to continue using Raph's Dopamine player

[Draconian Guppy]

Just once would be OK, but it seems that option is only there for Free/Purchased tracks, not songs I've added to my library from the All Access Library. I'm still waiting for the entire library download to finish but it looks to have even duplicated the free/purchased tracks

 

 

I don't have anything capable of running as a server at home. I'd rather revert back to creating playlists in YouTube then actually buying something for the sole purpose of hosting a few tracks!

I just want to be able to have one central place to "store" my music that I can play locally on my laptop or access via a data connection on my mobile and have access to new songs via a subscription service. I thought when I decided to give this a try it would be pretty straight forward but it seems not. I might have to look at spotify as an alternative, as I know that has a local client I can use but in an ideal world I'd be able to continue using Raph's Dopamine player

Any pc is a server, but I see your point.

 

if you do find that at a decent price i'm game as well, I hate paying subscriptions for using my own music.

[Skiver Veteran]

Any pc is a server, but I see your point.

 

if you do find that at a decent price i'm game as well, I hate paying subscriptions for using my own music.

Yeah I know, I just literally don't have anything at home

I don't have a need much above my work laptop.

[BinaryData]

Just once would be OK, but it seems that option is only there for Free/Purchased tracks, not songs I've added to my library from the All Access Library. I'm still waiting for the entire library download to finish but it looks to have even duplicated the free/purchased tracks

 

 

I don't have anything capable of running as a server at home. I'd rather revert back to creating playlists in YouTube then actually buying something for the sole purpose of hosting a few tracks!

I just want to be able to have one central place to "store" my music that I can play locally on my laptop or access via a data connection on my mobile and have access to new songs via a subscription service. I thought when I decided to give this a try it would be pretty straight forward but it seems not. I might have to look at spotify as an alternative, as I know that has a local client I can use but in an ideal world I'd be able to continue using Raph's Dopamine player

Do you use your phone at work or a computer? When I'm at work, I use my work phone with the PLEX Media App on it. It allows me to connect to my collection at home. However, in your case, it may not work as well. I've made BudMan very jealous of my connection, 100mbit up/down for 45$ a month.

PMS (Shortened), doesn't actually take up too much in resources. If you can download a 20mb (No audio file should be that large, unles FLAC, and no one streams FLAC), you could setup a PC at home.

Just a thought.. Check your PM though..

[Draconian Guppy]

Yeah I know, I just literally don't have anything at home

I don't have a need much above my work laptop.

i'm guessing this didn't work?

https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/1250232?hl=en

 

Download music on your computer

1. Go to Google Play Music.
2. On the left menu under "Auto playlists," click Free and purchased.
3. Next to a song, click Menu  > Download.
   • You can download a purchased song two times.

Download all purchased music

You can use Google Play Music Manager to download all of your purchased music.

1. Open Google Play Music Manager.
2. Click Download > Download purchased music.

[Skiver Veteran]

 

i'm guessing this didn't work?

https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/1250232?hl=en

 

Download music on your computer

1. Go to Google Play Music.
2. On the left menu under "Auto playlists," click Free and purchased.
3. Next to a song, click Menu  > Download.
   • You can download a purchased song two times.

Download all purchased music

You can use Google Play Music Manager to download all of your purchased music.

1. Open Google Play Music Manager.
2. Click Download > Download purchased music.

 

 

The problem here is I read that originally and this and thought this was possible but it seems only songs YOU have uploaded to the storage OR free/Purchased can be downloaded locally. Makes sense really that music from the subscription can't be stored locally and played as you want as you could just cancel the sub after you have what you want. 

 

Unfortunately I don't think google offer the play offline part when it comes to All Access Music, unless I am missing something obvious.

 

Do you use your phone at work or a computer? When I'm at work, I use my work phone with the PLEX Media App on it. It allows me to connect to my collection at home. However, in your case, it may not work as well. I've made BudMan very jealous of my connection, 100mbit up/down for 45$ a month.

PMS (Shortened), doesn't actually take up too much in resources. If you can download a 20mb (No audio file should be that large, unles FLAC, and no one streams FLAC), you could setup a PC at home.

Just a thought.. Check your PM though..

 

Replied in PM

[BinaryData]

The problem here is I read that originally and this and thought this was possible but it seems only songs YOU have uploaded to the storage OR free/Purchased can be downloaded locally. Makes sense really that music from the subscription can't be stored locally and played as you want as you could just cancel the sub after you have what you want. 

 

Unfortunately I don't think google offer the play offline part when it comes to All Access Music, unless I am missing something obvious.

 

 

Replied in PM

I get your problem.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

I know on the phone you can download music you do not own or did not upload to play offline. Just have to click the little download arrow next to the 3 dots and that will store the music locally on your phone.

If you are talking through the browser on your laptop or PC, yeah I do not believe there is an option to download locally for offline use.

[jasondefaoite]

Use Spotify. Put the songs you want to have offline into a playlist, enable offline support for the playlist, songs download to your PC. You need to reconnect the Spotify to the internet once every 30 days to validate the license of the offline songs.

[Draconian Guppy]

The problem here is I read that originally and this and thought this was possible but it seems only songs YOU have uploaded to the storage OR free/Purchased can be downloaded locally. Makes sense really that music from the subscription can't be stored locally and played as you want as you could just cancel the sub after you have what you want. 

 

Unfortunately I don't think google offer the play offline part when it comes to All Access Music, unless I am missing something obvious.

 

 

Replied in PM

found this, maybe it's useful:

 

link removed

 

 

And maybe this. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sapien.android.musicmate&hl=es_419

 

Edit: though it's funny, because in the ads, "google all access music" touts being able to download anything anywhere

[Skiver Veteran]

I know on the phone you can download music you do not own or did not upload to play offline. Just have to click the little download arrow next to the 3 dots and that will store the music locally on your phone.

<snip>

If you are talking through the browser on your laptop or PC, yeah I do not believe there is an option to download locally for offline use.

 

Yeah I was more wanting PC, I saw the option on phone.

 

Use Spotify. Put the songs you want to have offline into a playlist, enable offline support for the playlist, songs download to your PC. You need to reconnect the Spotify to the internet once every 30 days to validate the license of the offline songs.

 

It does look like Spotify will do what I want, I've just never liked Spotify much, I always hated the interface for some reason.

 

found this, maybe it's useful:

 

<snip>

 

 

And maybe this. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sapien.android.musicmate&hl=es_419

 

Edit: though it's funny, because in the ads, "google all access music" touts being able to download anything anywhere

 

I never tried the second one as it refers to in app purchases etc and asking for google wallet details, it doesn't look like it needs enough access to start actually being able to purchase things but it just made me question it enough to stay away.

 

The first one I did try, its what I referred to in my OP where it requires a license to be purchased every 3-6 months and it strips the DRM so I question how legit it is.

[Draconian Guppy]

Ah well, good luck then!

One question though, why not pay amazon cloud which is crazy cheap and be done with it? ( or any other cloud service for that matter, i'm guessing there is cheaper? )

[BinaryData]

Ah well, good luck then!

One question though, why not pay amazon cloud which is crazy cheap and be done with it? ( or any other cloud service for that matter, i'm guessing there is cheaper? )

Not to sound like an a**, but maybe he's on a budget and simply can't afford to spend extra money? I mean, why spend money when you could get the same service for free? Saves you money, and allows you to redirect your purchases to other things.

I offered up something, but turns out I didn't fully understand it.

[Skiver Veteran]

Ah well, good luck then!

One question though, why not pay amazon cloud which is crazy cheap and be done with it? ( or any other cloud service for that matter, i'm guessing there is cheaper? )

 

The problem isn't necessarily cloud storage here, Google Music offers the ability to upload tracks (50,000 is the claim) for free. My main issue is more around being able to download music from a music subscription service locally to my computer. As someone has already said, Spotify does do this, I've just never been a fan of it so I'm reluctant to sub to it.

 

I think I'll just stick with occasionally buying the odd track every so often and downloading free music from DJ's still trying to make a name for themselves