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Grand Flows Music Management

02 — Migration

The journey

A staged, reversible migration. Every stage states its objective, its actions, the conditions that must stop you, and the signal that says it is complete.

Read the story · illustrated strip
Mandatory gate

Preflight and safeguards

Stage PDF00

Objective

Make the migration reversible before anything is moved.

Key actions

  1. Back up the full audio collection to an independent drive.
  2. Back up the Apple Music/iTunes database and export a fresh full XML.
  3. Back up the existing Serato data and any _Serato_Backup folder.
  4. Confirm free disk space for a complete Master Music Library.
  5. Close Apple Music, Lexicon and Serato before starting.

Stop conditions

  • Do not move a single audio file before every backup is verified.
  • Do not treat a database backup as an audio-file backup.

Expected result

Every asset exists in at least two independent places and the migration can be reversed.

Completion signal

Verified backups of audio, Apple Music database, fresh XML and Serato data.

Checklist

0/5
BackupImportFile paths

Report parts 4-5

Stage 1

Audit the iTunes and Apple Music estate

Stage PDF01

Objective

Establish exactly what exists before changing anything.

Key actions

  1. Locate the media folder, the .musiclibrary package and legacy .itl files.
  2. Determine whether Keep Music Media Folder Organised was ever used.
  3. Record playlist count, playlist folders and smart playlists.
  4. Identify missing-file warnings already present in Apple Music.

Stop conditions

  • Do not start by moving files.
  • Do not delete anything discovered during the audit.

Expected result

A written inventory of files, database locations and playlist structure.

Completion signal

You can state where every file and playlist currently lives.

Checklist

0/4
iTunesApple MusicXMLFile paths

Report parts 5-6

Stage 2

Establish the Master Music Library

Stage PDF02

Objective

Create an application-neutral home for owned audio.

Key actions

  1. Create ~/Music/Master Music Library as ordinary folders.
  2. Move owned audio into that structure once, deliberately.
  3. Keep the old iTunes media folder intact as recovery evidence.
  4. Never let an application claim ownership of the audio.

Stop conditions

  • Do not delete the old media folder.
  • Do not let Apple Music reorganise the new folder.

Expected result

All owned audio lives in one portable, application-neutral structure.

Completion signal

The Master Music Library holds the complete owned collection.

Checklist

0/4
Master Music LibraryFile paths

Report part 6

Stage 3

Build Lexicon as the Administration Master

Stage PDF03

Objective

Make Lexicon the durable authority for owned-library intelligence.

Key actions

  1. Import the fresh XML with Merge OFF onto a clean baseline.
  2. Bulk Relocate records to the Master Music Library paths.
  3. Recover old-only files and relocate them individually or in batches.
  4. Govern metadata: Grouping/riddim, BPM, key, comments.
  5. Create smartlists and set the backup schedule.

Stop conditions

  • Do not use Add Folder to import the collection.
  • Do not force two records onto one path.

Expected result

Lexicon holds playlists, playlist folders, smartlists and metadata with correct file paths.

Completion signal

Zero missing-file warnings on the Is file missing smartlist.

Checklist

0/5
LexiconXMLImportMetadataSmartlistsFile paths

Report parts 5-8

Stage 4

Convert the library into native Serato crates

Stage PDF04

Objective

Write the performance copy without destroying performance data.

Key actions

  1. Back up Serato through Lexicon before the first write.
  2. Export playlists and playlist folders as native crates and subcrates.
  3. Use selected-field merges rather than blind full replacement.
  4. Verify crate structure, cues and grids after the write.

Stop conditions

  • Do not run a Full Sync that removes Serato-only crates.
  • Do not treat Serato as the sole archive.

Expected result

Serato mirrors the administrative structure as native crates and subcrates.

Completion signal

Crates, cues and grids verified intact after the first write.

Checklist

0/4
SeratoCratesBackup

Report parts 9-10

Stage 5

Operate in Administration Mode and Performance Mode

Stage PDF05

Objective

Keep authority in Lexicon and runtime in Serato.

Key actions

  1. Add new local purchases through the Master Music Library and Lexicon Watch Folder.
  2. Use Modified Sync and Playlist Sync for routine updates.
  3. Keep temporary event crates separate from permanent structures.
  4. Run pre-gig checks before every event.

Stop conditions

  • Do not edit the owned-library structure directly in Serato.
  • Do not skip the backup before large syncs.

Expected result

A repeatable two-mode routine with a single administrative authority.

Completion signal

New music reaches Serato without manual repair work.

Checklist

0/4
LexiconSeratoMetadataCrates

Report parts 11-12

Stage 6

Create the Spotify-to-TIDAL streaming mirror

Stage PDF06

Objective

Build the one-way streaming channel without confusing it with ownership.

Key actions

  1. Curate source playlists in Spotify.
  2. Configure Soundiiz to synchronise Spotify to TIDAL in one direction only.
  3. Audit matches for wrong versions, remixes, clean edits and covers.
  4. Use one active streaming provider in Serato.

Stop conditions

  • Never build a two-way Soundiiz sync.
  • Never treat streaming as ownership.

Expected result

A stems-capable TIDAL mirror fed one-way from Spotify curation.

Completion signal

Recent Spotify additions appear in TIDAL and in Serato.

Checklist

0/4
SpotifyTIDALSoundiizStems

Report part 12

Final gate

Acceptance and end state

Stage PDF07

Objective

Confirm the migrated system before retiring the legacy estate.

Key actions

  1. Confirm zero missing files in Lexicon.
  2. Confirm playlist and crate parity between Lexicon and Serato.
  3. Confirm the streaming mirror is current.
  4. Retire Show iTunes Library in Serato only after acceptance passes.
  5. Keep the legacy estate as recovery evidence.

Stop conditions

  • Do not delete legacy sources on the day acceptance passes.
  • Do not accept with unresolved missing files.

Expected result

iTunes and Apple Music become legacy recovery sources only.

Completion signal

All acceptance checks pass and the Show iTunes Library source is retired.

Checklist

0/5
SeratoLexiconRecovery

Report parts 15-16

Report detail

The full migration text

Part 3MIGRATION

Preflight, Safeguards and Stop Conditions

Do not begin by moving files. First establish a reversible state.

Minimum preflight checklist

  • ✓Identify the active Apple Music or iTunes database and current media folder.
  • ✓Export a fresh full-library XML from the current Apple Music/iTunes database.
  • ✓Preserve old XML, .musiclibrary, .itl and Serato database folders.
  • ✓Confirm the new Master Music Library folder name and location.
  • ✓Close Apple Music, Lexicon and Serato before moving the physical media folder.
  • ✓Create a Lexicon database backup before every major import, relocation or cleanup.
  • ✓Create or confirm a Serato backup before the first full Lexicon-to-Serato sync.
  • ✓Do not delete an older iTunes media folder until unresolved tracks have been checked.
  • ✓Do not bulk-reanalyse BPM, key or metadata during the migration.
  • ✓Record the old and new folder paths in the migration log.
LexiconSeratoiTunesApple MusicXMLBackupMetadataImportMaster Music Library

Files that must be preserved

MaterialWhy it mattersTypical size — Fresh Apple Music/iTunes XMLTransfers track records and playlist hierarchy to Lexicon.Small compared with audio
Older XML filesCan prove historical playlist or track records omitted from the current library.Small
Music Library.musiclibraryCurrent Apple Music database on macOS.Tens of MB
iTunes Library.itl / previous librariesLegacy recovery and historical evidence.Usually small
Lexicon database backup ZIPRestores playlists, metadata, cues and settings.Small; no audio included
_Serato_ and _Serato_BackupProtects crates, database and performance data.Small compared with audio
Old iTunes audio folderTemporary recovery source for tracks absent from the current Apple Music media folder.Potentially very large
LexiconSeratoiTunesApple MusicXMLBackupCratesMetadataPlaylistsRecovery

Files that must be preserved

Backup limitation: A Lexicon or Serato database backup does not contain the audio files. The music itself requires a separate physical backup strategy. Database safety and audio-file safety are different obligations.

Stop conditions

  • The Lexicon track count unexpectedly doubles or triples after an import.
  • A large artist/album folder tree appears in the Lexicon playlist panel after using Add Folder.
  • Relocation reports that most destination paths already exist as other Lexicon records.
  • The fresh XML produces no historical playlist hierarchy.
  • Grouping/riddim, BPM or key data disappears after a merge.
  • Serato is open while Lexicon is importing from or writing to the Serato database.
  • A Full Sync is about to run after significant Serato-only work that has not been imported back into Lexicon.
  • The old media folder is about to be deleted while missing files remain unresolved.

Source basis: S5, S8.

Part 4MIGRATION

Audit the iTunes and Apple Music Estate

Determine which database and media folder are current before creating the new master.

Understand the modern Apple Music files

On macOS, the current Apple Music database is normally a package ending in .musiclibrary. Serato can read the local Music app library through the macOS media-library integration, which is why the Show iTunes Library option can display updated Apple Music playlists even when no current XML file is visible. The XML used by Lexicon must be exported manually.

Understand the modern Apple Music files

ObjectRole — Music Library.musiclibraryCurrent Apple Music database on macOS.
Current Media/Music folderPhysical local audio currently used by Apple Music.
Exported XMLPortable snapshot of track records and playlists used by Lexicon.
Old iTunes Music / iTunes Media folderPossible frozen duplicate or recovery source.
Show iTunes Library in SeratoLegacy Apple local-library display, separate from Apple Music streaming.
LexiconSeratoiTunesApple MusicXMLPlaylistsRecovery

Source basis: S1, S8.

Export the current full library XML

  1. 01Open the Apple Music app.
  2. 02Choose File > Library > Export Library.
  3. 03Save the file with an unambiguous name, for example Apple Music Current Library - 2026-08-01.xml.
  4. 04Store it in the future Master Music Library under a small XML-files or Library Records folder.
  5. 05Do not assume the XML contains the audio. It contains information and paths only.
Apple MusicXMLMaster Music Library

Source basis: S1, S2.

Identify the active media folder

  1. 01Open Music > Settings > Files and note the Media folder location.
  2. 02Select several old, obscure and recently added local tracks.
  3. 03Use Show in Finder or Get Info > File > Location to confirm where the physical files reside.
  4. 04Check whether those tracks open from the current Music/Media/Music folder or from the older iTunes folder.
  5. 05Do not rely on folder size alone; verify actual tracks from several periods.
iTunes

Common duplicate-library discovery

Many long-running Mac libraries contain both an older iTunes Music folder and a newer Music/Media/Music folder. This may result from Apple Music copying files into its own managed media folder while leaving the originals in place. The newer folder is often larger because it contains the old collection plus later additions, but this must be verified track by track before the older folder is retired.

Common duplicate-library discovery

Safe test: Temporarily rename the old iTunes media folder rather than deleting it. Open Apple Music, Lexicon and Serato and test old and new tracks. Rename it back immediately if files become unavailable.

Common duplicate-library discovery

Windows note: On Windows, Serato does not currently support importing the library from Apple's newer Music app. Serato continues to rely on iTunes and its XML. DJs on Windows should preserve a compatible iTunes installation and verify the Share iTunes Library XML with other applications preference before migration.

Source basis: S8, S13.

Part 5MIGRATION

Establish the Master Music Library

Move the current physical audio into an application-neutral location without duplicating it.

Recommended final folder structure

~/Music/
├── Master Music Library/
│   ├── Music Library/
│   │   ├── Artist/
│   │   ├── Compilations/
│   │   └── ...
│   ├── XML-files/
│   │   ├── Apple Music Current Library.xml
│   │   └── Legacy iTunes XML files
│   └── Lexicon Database Backups/
├── Lexicon/
│   └── Watch Folder/
├── _Serato_/
└── _Serato_Backup/

Move, do not copy, when space is limited

When the source and destination are on the same disk volume, moving and renaming the parent folder normally changes its directory entry rather than creating a second full copy. This is appropriate for very large libraries when there is not enough free space to duplicate the collection.

Move, do not copy, when space is limited

  1. 01Quit Apple Music, Lexicon and Serato.
  2. 02Move the current Apple Music media Music folder into ~/Music/Master Music Library/.
  3. 03Rename the moved folder Music Library.
  4. 04Do not rename artist folders, album folders or individual files during this operation.
  5. 05Keep the exported XML and legacy database files separately inside the Master Music Library.
LexiconSeratoApple MusicXMLMaster Music Library

Why the XML does not update automatically

The XML contains the old absolute file paths. Moving the XML beside the audio does not make the paths relative and does not rewrite them. Lexicon will import the historical records and later relocate those records to the new Master Music Library paths.

Why the XML does not update automatically

Do not use Add Folder as the migration method: Add Folder scans the filesystem and creates a playlist hierarchy that mirrors physical folders. If the XML records already exist, this can create a second set of records and an unwanted artist/album playlist tree. The correct migration method is XML import followed by relocation.

Part 6MIGRATION

Build Lexicon as the Administration Master

Create a clean living library from the XML, merge useful Serato data and reconnect the physical files.

Phase A — Import the current Apple Music XML

  1. 01Create a Lexicon database backup: Backup > Database Backup > Create backup.
  2. 02Open the Lexicon Sync page.
  3. 03Choose Import tracks & playlists.
  4. 04Select iTunes as the source.
  5. 05Select the fresh XML exported from the current Apple Music database.
  6. 06Choose a Full import.
  7. 07Turn Merge into current library OFF when establishing a clean baseline.
  8. 08Start the import and accept the warning that Lexicon will replace its current database content.
LexiconiTunesApple MusicXMLBackupPlaylistsImport

Source basis: S2, S5.

Expected result

  • The historical ordinary playlist hierarchy appears in Lexicon.
  • The accidental filesystem playlist tree is absent.
  • The track count is plausible rather than doubled.
  • Many tracks may show warning triangles because their XML paths still point to the former Apple Music location.
  • Old iTunes Smart Playlist rules may be absent; their current membership may appear as ordinary playlists or may not appear at all.

Phase B — Merge Serato performance data

This phase is optional but valuable when Serato contains cue points, loops, colors, BPM, keys, play counts or other performance preparation. It is not needed to recover iTunes playlists because those came from the XML.

Phase B — Merge Serato performance data

  1. 01Open Serato and temporarily disable Show Streaming Services if streaming references should not be imported.
  2. 02Quit Serato completely.
  3. 03In Lexicon choose Sync > Import tracks & playlists > Serato DJ.
  4. 04Choose Full import.
  5. 05Turn Merge into current library ON.
  6. 06Use Specific Fields where available to import cues, loops, BPM, key, color, play count and other desired performance data.
  7. 07Avoid overwriting Title, Artist, Album, Genre or Grouping unless Serato is intentionally the better metadata source.
  8. 08Start the import and verify that the historical XML playlists remain.
LexiconSeratoXMLMetadataPlaylistsImportGrouping

Source basis: S3.

Field priority for reggae and other version-heavy genres

PriorityFieldGovernance rule — 1ArtistPreserve the primary credited artist and collaborating artists consistently.
2Title / MixKeep version, edit, dub, remix, instrumental and vocal distinctions explicit.
3GroupingUse for riddim name or another central musical-family identifier. Do not overwrite casually.
4BPMPreserve trusted BPM values; do not bulk-reanalyse during migration.
5KeyPreserve existing values and notation unless a deliberate conversion policy is adopted.
6GenreUse as broad navigation; do not force riddim-level detail into Genre.
7Cue points / loopsPreserve where they have performance value, but do not allow them to delay the library migration.
Grouping

Phase C — Relocate the XML records to the new physical files

If the old Apple Music folder no longer exists because it was moved, bulk Relocate is simpler than trying to select a nonexistent source folder.

Phase C — Relocate the XML records to the new physical files

  1. 01Create a Lexicon smartlist named _CHECK - Missing Local Files.
  2. 02Set the rule Is file missing = true.
  3. 03Open the smartlist and select all displayed tracks.
  4. 04Right-click the selection and choose Relocate.
  5. 05Choose ~/Music/Master Music Library/Music Library as the search folder.
  6. 06Allow Lexicon to search all subfolders for matching filenames.
  7. 07Restart Lexicon after the scan to force a fresh file-availability check.
  8. 08Open the missing-files smartlist again and record the unresolved count.
LexiconXMLFile pathsSmartlistsMaster Music Library

Source basis: S4, S6.

What relocation should preserve

  • Playlist membership and ordering.
  • Grouping/riddim information.
  • BPM and key.
  • Cue points and loops.
  • Ratings, genres, comments and other metadata.
  • The historical track record itself.

Phase D — Recover the remaining old-only files

A small number of unresolved tracks may exist only in the older iTunes media folder. It is safe to continue the migration with a documented unresolved list, but the old folder must not be deleted until those tracks are searched.

Phase D — Recover the remaining old-only files

  1. 01Create a folder inside the new library called _Recovered from old iTunes.
  2. 02Search the old media folder for each unresolved filename or artist/title combination.
  3. 03Move the recovered audio into the new recovery folder.
  4. 04Relocate the existing Lexicon record to the recovered file so its playlists and metadata remain intact.
  5. 05Treat a target already used by another Lexicon record as a duplicate case, not as a missing-file case.
  6. 06Document tracks that are genuinely absent or intentionally abandoned.
LexiconiTunesFile pathsMetadataPlaylistsRecovery

Phase D — Recover the remaining old-only files

Recovery from an accidental Add Folder import: If Add Folder was used and the Lexicon track count becomes implausibly high, do not manually delete thousands of records. Create a backup, reimport the fresh XML with Merge OFF, merge the Serato data again with Merge ON, and then run the proper relocation. This clean rebuild is safer than trying to disentangle two parallel record sets.

Create the clean administrative baseline

  • ✓Historical playlist structure is present.
  • ✓Physical files load from Master Music Library.
  • ✓Grouping/riddim, BPM and key are preserved.
  • ✓The missing-files smartlist contains only a small, understood remainder.
  • ✓A post-relocation Lexicon database backup has been created and retained outside the one-month auto-clean folder.
LexiconBackupSmartlistsPlaylistsGroupingMaster Music Library
Part 7MIGRATION

Convert the Library into Native Serato Crates

Write the Lexicon structure into Serato and retire the Apple local-library dependency.

Prepare Serato

  1. 01Open Serato, then quit it normally to update its backup.
  2. 02Confirm that ~/Music/_Serato_ and ~/Music/_Serato_Backup exist.
  3. 03Keep Serato fully closed during the Lexicon sync.
  4. 04Rename the diagnostic missing-files smartlist to begin with Excluded From Sync if you do not want it created in Serato.
LexiconSeratoBackupSmartlists

First full-sync settings

SettingRecommended first-sync valueReason — Sync targetSerato DJ Pro 4Writes to the current Serato 4 database.
What to syncFullRequired to establish the complete native library and clear obsolete locations.
Field mappingsNoneNormal fields, including Grouping, BPM and Key, do not require custom mapping.
Convert keysOriginal keysPreserves existing key notation.
Change to nearest colorOnMaps unsupported colors to the nearest Serato color.
All smartlists to playlistsOffAllows compatible Lexicon smartlists to become Serato Smart Crates.
Do not touch my gridsOff if grids are not specially curated; On if existing Serato grids must be protectedChoose based on actual grid governance.
Beatgrid locksDefaultAvoids unnecessary special handling during first migration.
LexiconSeratoSmartlistsCratesPlaylistsGrouping

Source basis: S3, S4.

Run the sync

  1. 01Open Lexicon Sync/Export.
  2. 02Select Serato DJ Pro 4.
  3. 03Select Full.
  4. 04Review the settings above.
  5. 05Click Sync to Serato DJ 4.
  6. 06Do not open Serato until Lexicon reports successful completion.
LexiconSerato

Verify the result in Serato

  • ✓Historical playlist folders appear as parent crates.
  • ✓Historical playlists appear as crates and nested playlists as subcrates.
  • ✓Old tracks load, play and generate waveforms.
  • ✓Grouping shows riddim or other stored family information.
  • ✓BPM and key are present.
  • ✓Existing cues appear where they existed before migration.
  • ✓Location points into Master Music Library.
  • ✓The known unresolved tracks are the only missing items.
  • ✓Crates remain after Show iTunes Library is disabled.
SeratoiTunesCratesPlaylistsGroupingMaster Music Library

Retire the Apple local-library display

  1. 01In Serato open Setup > Library + Display.
  2. 02Uncheck Show iTunes Library.
  3. 03Return to the main library.
  4. 04Confirm that the new native crates remain and the tracks still load.
  5. 05Re-enable Show Streaming Services and select Spotify or TIDAL as required.
SeratoSpotifyTIDALiTunesCrates

Retire the Apple local-library display

Migration acceptance point: When the native crates remain after Show iTunes Library is disabled, the local DJ library is no longer operationally dependent on Apple Music or iTunes.

Source basis: S8.

When acceptance passes, keep the legacy estate as recovery evidence and move on to the operating cycles.

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