Control iTunes from the Keyboard?

Syth

How can I control iTunes from the keyboard? All I want to do is pause, and move to the next and previous song. I know one can do this when iTunes is the topmost application, but I want to be able to do when iTunes is in the background. Ideally I want to use the F9, F10, F11 keys. I found a programme called Synergy that does this exactly, but it costs €5. I think this feature should be built into the operating system, and I don't want to pay for something to do it.

In tried using the Keyboard Shortcut under System Preferences, but I couldn't get it to work. When I pressed the key, nothing would happen.

So, how can I do it?

EDIT: Clank posted about ByteController (available on macupdate.com) which does exactly what I want.

Oriel

Pause = Space
Apple+Arrow Key = Next and Previous song

Not sure about the Fkeys though.

Heinrich

If you are running iTunes on a PC then go to the help menu and look at keyboard shortcuts. The list is there.

As for Mac, I don't know offhand but I imagine it is the same.

Gordon

sinecurea wrote:

Pause = Space
Apple+Arrow Key = Next and Previous song

Not sure about the Fkeys though.

Just need the arrow keys afair.

Not sure what you need for controlling it in the background.

Oriel

Very true sir, very true.

Syth

sinecurea wrote:

Pause = Space
Apple+Arrow Key = Next and Previous song

Not sure about the Fkeys though.

You can only do that when iTunes is the topmost application, I want to control it when it's not. Many times I have iTunes running in the background, playing music. I want to be able to control when it's like that.

Clank

Go to www.macupdate.com and type in ByteController, cool little program that can go in the menu bar and lets you assign whatever keys, or combinations of keys, you want to play, next track, previous.

Peteer

Syth wrote:

How can I control iTunes from the keyboard?

In tried using the Keyboard Shortcut under System Preferences, but I couldn't get it to work. When I pressed the key, nothing would happen.

So, how can I do it?

http://www.yousoftware.com/itunes/itunes.php

In followup to your mail, I asked a friend (Google) and he came up with the above.

Just downloaded the above program and to do what you needed I set a "Hot Key" and it now lets me do what you are looking to do.

You will need to register for a serial code but this is free.

I choose control+i as my hot key but may revise it when I have tried the .app further.

Haven't used it much but it shows artwork and info MTV Style as a trak begins.

Let me know how you get on.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Peter

Syth

Clank wrote:

Go to www.macupdate.com and type in ByteController, cool little program that can go in the menu bar and lets you assign whatever keys, or combinations of keys, you want to play, next track, previous.

Thank you, that does exactly what I want.

jtsuited

apple+t turns on visualizer.
(Q,W) (A,S) and (Z,X) can be used to control specific parameters inside the visualisation thingamagoo.
Great if you're bored.