MacOS Catalina: musicians, don't update. Or at least not yet.
iTunes is dead. And with it support for XML files that can talk to third-party applications. A solution is not available. If you are a musician working with iTunes, wait before updating.
With macOS Catalina, the latest update to Apple's operating system, Apple is burying iTunes. The music programme has managed music, films, podcasts, images and games for 18 years. But no more. Under Catalina, data management is split into different applications.
This is why DJs or musicians shouldn't upgrade their MacBooks and iMacs.
The problem with XML files
The problem stems from the fact that iTunes data and APIs have been used for other DJ and music applications. Among others Traktor and RekordBox. These apps used XML files generated by iTunes if you decided to share music from and with iTunes with other apps.
It's silly, now that iTunes no longer exists, no XML files can be created or understood, and the iTunes replacement Apple Music doesn't provide communication interfaces to other apps.
Result: DJs lose the ability to organise their playlists and files with iTunes and see these changes reflected in RekordBox or Traktor. Because iTunes was so good at managing data, "Organise in iTunes, work in another app" has become a standard process for many DJs.
No solution available
The fact that XML files fail has quickly made the rounds among DJs. Trade magazine DJTechTools announced shortly after the bug appeared that XML files can be manually exported from Apple Music. TheVerge contradicts this and advises all DJs to wait before running the Catalina update.
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