battlesounds question
 

Looking through the Sound folder I noticed that there were two files named "Battlesounds01" and "Battlesounds02" and they appear to be the background sounds for the game depending on your preference settings. Does anyone know if those two files just play one after the other or if there is a random selection when the game first starts?

The reason I ask is because I pulled a couple of classical tunes off a cd and used them to create background music for the game. It works fine but I'd just like to know if they will all play over time or will the lowest number be used again and again.

The only problem I've run into is that the music stops once my turn is over and restarts when it's my turn again. Is there a chance that the battlesounds files get loaded into memory so it would be best to use smaller wav files?

Thanks in advance

Steve

Re: battlesounds question
 

Why don't you use an mp3 player in the background?
www.vuplayer.com is a light and good one that I use for several versions for years now.
This way you can listen to whatever music you want without it stopping unless you choose so.

Re: battlesounds question
 

Wav files are larger (and better quality) than MP3. But I think you can only go up to about 4MB in a single file.

If you want to use the battlesounds for music, you may be better off sticking with mp3. Besides, you would have to edit the .ini file if you wanted SPMBT to play MP3 game sounds but wav music.

I assumed the battlesounds play one after another, and reset when you restart, but not certain.

Re: battlesounds question
 

Check sounds.ini at the end. There is space for up to 10 tracks. Blank ones will not play, but it will play tracks 1-10 in sequence, ignoring blanks then restart at 1. Only battlesounds 1 and 2 are on the play list ATM.

Don't use too large files (they take up lots of memory), but the DirectShow interface should handle any legit music file you have - WAV and MP3 have been tried.

The only problem with MP3 (and why we have replaced all with WAV) is that some users install third-party applications that override the default Microsoft DirectShow MP3 Codecs with their own, and that seems to sometimes mess with the DirectShow sound MP3 playback. WAV files do not have the Codec compatibility problem.

Cheers
Andy

Re: battlesounds question
 

Thanks guys!

I'll go back and see if I can trim the files as they are big wav files (56,015KB, 101,539KB and 105,317KB).

Now that I know how it works I might go back and see if I can put 10 files together that sound okay. Hmmm, maybe a Celtic collection so I can throw in some pipes and drums... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Take it easy - Steve

Re: battlesounds question
 

I am sorry for this, but why don't you just use a software music player instead of all that?

Re: battlesounds question
 

I must admit that I don't waste CPUs on music or battle sounds.

I switch the sounds off, and when I need background music I put the cable TV on, and select a radio channel.

But the option is there - different strokes for different folks.

Cheers
Andy

Re: battlesounds question
 

I think Andy's right when he says he doesn't waste CPU's on music or sound. I've got a 10 year old system and while I've upgraded the cpu and maxxed out the memory it still struggles at times. I checked out the vuplayer and I think it's neat but the music still skips or becomes choppy on occasion. For now I'll go easy on the music and look into getting into the 21st century with an IPOD or something along those lines.

Steve