[MikeMackay]

Hopefully someone here knows of a decent program they can recommend me...

Basically, I'm bored of Quicktime and I don't want to have to load everything in to iTunes as all my files are temporary on a portable HD and I can't be arsed with all that importing then deleting from the library business.

Something like Winamp but for Mac would be good where I can load up a directory of songs and have it shuffle through them. I also want it to hide in the system bar and, if possible, have the playback controls sit there too.

I tried MacAmp Lite but for some reason I could not get it to shuffle the playlist. Maybe I'm being blind and not seeing that feature somewhere ?!

I know I'm being a fussy git but any recommendations would be super!

- Mike

[emil]

VLC. except for the controls. but you can access quick menus by right clicking the icon.

[JonoMarshall]

all my files are temporary on a portable HD and I can't be arsed with all that importing then deleting from the library business.

You're doing it all wrong... hold down the option key when you drag the files to iTunes (icon or window) and they'll stay where they are with links to the files in iTunes (to undo this you just Consolidate your library under "Advanced").

load up a directory of songs and have it shuffle through them

iTunes playlist/s with shuffle on.

iTunes also has many plugins/extensions that can add playback functions to hotkeys/menu bars/etc... it's arguably the best MP3 player on any OS, just tweak it to how you'd like it?

[MikeMackay]

Thanks for the replies. I've gone with Jono's approach as iTunes is fairly nifty I was just unaware of the "hotlink" importing and consolidating my library afterwards.

Muchos Gracias.

BTW, I'm using the "GimmeSomeTune" plugin to access iTunes through the menu bar.

- Mike