Subscribing to iTunes Match AFTER Apple Music replaced some of my ripped songs with DRM versions.

[ryanasimov]

I took the plunge and started up Apple Music and iCloud Music Library on my main machine (an iMac) without understanding the whole "your ripped music on all your devices, but now with DRM" issue. Now my MacBook (which previously had an empty iTunes Library) has my entire iMac library, but with DRM. If I had subscribed to iTunes Match prior to this my understanding is that I could also have my entire Library on the MacBook, and without DRM.

I have Time Machine backups that I could use to revert my entire iTunes Library back to prior to June 30th, but what would happen if I subscribed to iTunes Match right now? Is iTunes smart enough to remember which songs were originally ripped and replace the DRM versions with iTunes Match versions on my MacBook?

 

[Luis Mazza]

That is a great question. I really want to enable iCloud Music on my Mac, but I'm afraid my ripped music will be replaced by DRM versions. I don't mind if that happens on devices with no music at all, like my iPad, but I don't want that to happen on my Mac or iPhone, where I have DRM-free music.
Can anyone please confirm if I'm safe?

I don't have iTunes Match.

 

[Paco II]

This thread title is misleading. The OP is saying that the tracks on the other computer had DRM, which is exactly what one would expect.

 

[decksnap]

My understanding is that only cloud copies and copies downloaded to other devices than the original source will get the cloud versions of the song. The originals should not be touched, but if anyone can triple-confirm....

 

[Paco II]

I've been reading many threads but can't find the source of this information. Where has it posted that Apple Music deleted a local DRM-free song file with an Apple Music offline version?

My understanding is that only cloud copies and copies downloaded to other devices than the original source will get the cloud versions of the song. The originals should not be touched, but if anyone can triple-confirm....

 

[Lancetx]

This is exactly how it is supposed to work...
http://www.imore.com/no-apple-not-adding-drm-songs-your-mac-you-already-own

 

[Rigby]

I have Time Machine backups that I could use to revert my entire iTunes Library back to prior to June 30th, but what would happen if I subscribed to iTunes Match right now? Is iTunes smart enough to remember which songs were originally ripped and replace the DRM versions with iTunes Match versions on my MacBook?

Turn off iCloud Music Library on your secondary machine, and delete the downloaded music files with DRM. Then turn iCloud Music Library back on, switch to "Songs" view in iTunes, and enable the "iCloud Status" column. All songs that show "Matched" or "Uploaded" should download DRM-free if you have iTunes Match. Songs that show "Apple Music" will have DRM regardless.

Based on reports in the forum there may be some bugs where sometimes your songs will be classified as "Apple Music" even if you have iTunes Match.

 

[ryanasimov]

This thread title is misleading. The OP is saying that the tracks on the other computer had DRM, which is exactly what one would expect.

You're right about the title; I meant to write "Will subscribing to iTunes Match AFTER Apple Music replace my ripped songs I deleted (which have now been replaced with DRM versions) with non-DRM versions?" I was interrupted while editing the title and WOW did the final version not convey what I intended!