How to download music from Mac to iPod

I tried to upload albums purchased through iTunes to my iPod. I got nothing but error messages. "Apple music may be kept on iTunes or in your iCloud but may not be downloaded. Your device must access the music through iCloud ONLY! My iPod may be behind the times, but it does not access iCloud, not without my computer. I entire point of owning that iPod was to have a self contained unit to play music, wherever, whenever I chose. Does not make sense.

I can add any song on iTunes or iCloud and listen for free. Why would anyone PURCHASE except to have access to downloading the music?!!! Was that a glitch? Or has Apple really lost it?

Connect your iPod to the Mac and in a Finder window sidebar click on iPod. Select Music and there you can sync.

Try click and drag. In Settings on your iPod, make sure iTunes Match, Apple Music and iCloud Music Library are disabled.