Playing mp3s on iPod Classic

Blitz Spirit wrote:

As I understand it Apple no longer supports the iPod Classic and synchronization with 'Music' (was 'iTunes').

Not sure where you got that idea. iTunes / Finder can still sync content to an iPod Classic just fine.

Link-> Use the Finder to sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod with your computer - Apple Support

Copying directly to the iPod has never been supported. So it's not surprising it did not work. Sync the iPod with there Finder on your Mac if you are running macOS Catalina or Later to get music onto it.

Blitz Spirit wrote:

I am using macOS Monterey version 12.3 and there is categorically no iTunes, only 'Music' 1.2.3.

I think you have misunderstood. Phil0124 was probably covering all bases by mentioning iTunes, which you brought up. By mentioning it, that then helps other people who might read your discussion, looking for answers. Here is the situation:

• • If you have a Mac, running OS Catalina or later (so that includes OS Monterey that you have), then you use Finder to synchronise content to your iPod.
  • However - for users with a Mac running OS Mojave or earlier, then you can use iTunes
  • For users with a Windows computer, then once again they can use iTunes

So you will have to use Finder. However, you need to be specific when saying that you don't see the Sync options shown in the article that you linked to: Use the Finder to sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod with your computer - Apple Support

In that article, did you look under the heading Sync or remove content with Finder? Using the screenshot of the picture in the article (shown below), please explain what you do, or don't see:

I'm not a Mac user, so I am not familiar with Finder, but the principal is the same:

• Did you open a Finder window, as instructed in the article?
• Did your iPod appear in the left frame (1.) of the Finder window - the one with the eject icon next to your iPod? Note that it appears under the heading Locations
  • if not, did you follow the helpful suggestion in the first step of that paragraph about what to do if you don't see your device listed in Finder?
  • if it did appear, do you see the frame shown to the right of the picture, as shown above? Did you click on Music (2.), as shown in the picture?
  • Did you then click on Sync music onto <your iPod's name> iPod (3.)? Now - as I'm not familiar with Finder, I don't know what you see before you click on Sync music..., but if the area below Sync music is blank, try selecting the Sync music tick-box to see if the additional information appears

At which point do you get something different and what exactly did you get?

Looks like the iPod is in disk mode.

Disconnect the iPod from the Mac, Press the Menu and center buttons together for 10 seconds and try connecting it again.

Glad you have got it sorted.