posted 11-11-2001 08:19 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by jeffrey van oort:
I've got mp3 to wave.
It works perfect.

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Hi Jeffrey,

What program are you using? Is it converting MP3 to ADPCM WAV or MP3 to PCM WAV?

posted 11-11-2001 02:07 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Data:
Thank you for all the hard work that you have obviously put into this councellor, it is appreciated.

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Greetings Data,

Your appreciation is appreciated.

posted 11-12-2001 03:34 PM               

i use it too

posted 11-12-2001 03:34 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Jantje:
If you use the new winamp, go to preferences. Select the Output plugin section, then select Disk Writer. Click Configure, then check 'Convert to format:' and set it to Microsoft ADPCM, 44.100 Hz, 4 bit, Stereo. Now click okay, and close the preferences. If you play the mp3 song it outputs it into the right format right away.

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Hi Jantje,

Thank you very much for letting me know! I'll check that out as soon as I can.

posted 11-13-2001 05:01 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by aktrekker:
I'm not sure I'd want to go to all this trouble to play a level. It's easier to download the whole thing, or just not have custom sounds. In fact, I tend to skip the larger levels with lots of custom sounds.

Personally, I like leveles distributed as TR4 because they are so easy to install. But levels distributed as TOM files can be smaller because sounds don't have to be included. There's always a sacrifice. But if it's too much work, I usually just download another level.

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Hi aktrekker,

This method is really only useful for those that don't have fast connections (i.e. those using 56k modems), and for those who want to create and play TR custom games which have new (and therefore progressive) soundtracks.

The kind of level designers and game players it will appeal to are those who think that music and sound is an important part of their game playing experience. I agree that it won't appeal to those who don't want any extra hassle as it does require a bit of extra work before you can play any download using this method.

posted 11-13-2001 11:24 AM               

Following WinAmp tests I've updated and simplified the instructions.

WBM

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

------------------------------------------------------
TRLE Audio - MP3 Distribution Method
------------------------------------------------------

The traditional method for distributing custom sound files has been to use WinZip to compress the TRLE compatible ADPCM WAV files. However, the following method allows level designers to compress their WinZipped ADPCM files by a further 50% (and in some cases by up to 65%).

Of the many sound programs tested, WinAmp proved to be the best tool to use as it was able to perform all of the tasks required, is free, and as a popular utility is already installed on many end-user machines.

Be warned that many programs, including professional tools, are unable to successfully convert PCM to ADPCM (or MP3 to ADPCM) in a format that the TRLE will accept. Often they claim to be able to encode these formats but produce files which contains hissing and distortion.

Level designers who opt to use this enhanced compression method must remember to include instructions for the game player on how they should convert your downloaded MP3 files to ADPCM format - see end of this document for a template.

-----------------------------------------
Example Of File Size Reduction
-----------------------------------------

This example uses the 54 ADPCM WAV files found in the TRLE/Audio folder after the standard installation of the TRLE:

Original ADPCM WAVs = 101 MB
WinZip compressed = 66 MB

ADPCM WAVs compressed to MP3 = 36.5 MB
WinZip compressed = 34.5 MB

Reduction = 31.5 MB
Percentage = 52%

-------------------------
Software Required
-------------------------

Both available from www.winamp.com :

'WinAmp' by Nullsoft (Version 2.77 or higher)

'Lame MP3 Output Plug-in' by Steve Lhomme

-------------------------
Formats Explained
-------------------------

PCM WAV files are the standard type of WAV file produced in most hard-drive based digital recording. They are not compatible with the TRLE.

ADPCM WAV files are a compressed form of PCM WAV files. They are the only type of sound file which can be placed in the TRLE / Audio folder and recognised by the Tomb Raider Level Editor.

MP3 files have become the Internet's favourite method of sound file distribution. They are compressed using the MPEG Layer III codec. They are not compatible with the TRLE.

---------------------------------------------------
How To Convert Files Using WinAmp
---------------------------------------------------

Launch 'WinAmp':

1) Press: Ctrl+P to access WinAmp Preferences.

2) Click 'Plug-ins / Output' and select the plug-in required (see 'Output Plug-in Settings' section below).

3) Click 'Configure' button. Settings should be set as in 'Output Plug-in Settings' section below.

4) Select destination folder for converted files by clicking 'Output Directory' button.

5) Click 'OK' twice and 'Close' to exit WinAmp Preferences.

6) Select all the files to be converted and and drag and drop them on to WinAmp. All files will convert and save automatically. Wait until WinAmp has become inactive.

--------------------------------
Output Plug-in Settings
--------------------------------

===
MP3
===

Output Plug-in: 'Lame MP3 Writer'

Settings:

Bitrate: 128
Channels: Joint-stereo

All other boxes except for 'Resample' are ticked or greyed out.

=======
PCM WAV
=======

Output Plug-in: 'Nullsoft Disk Writer'

Settings:

Convert to format: Checked

Click on '...' button and select:

Format: PCM
Attributes: 44,100 Hz, 16 Bit, Stereo 172 KB/s

All other: unselected or default.

=========
ADPCM WAV
=========

Output Plug-in: 'Nullsoft Disk Writer'

Settings:

Convert to format: Checked

Click on '...' button and select:

Format: Microsoft ADPCM
Attributes: 44,100 Hz, 4 Bit, Stereo 43 KB/s

All other: unselected or default.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If level designers wish to send instructions to the game
players on how to install MP3 compressed sound files the
following section can be pasted into a new text document.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

----------------------------------------------
Installing the Custom Soundtracks
----------------------------------------------

To reduce your download by more than 50% the designer of this custom level has used MP3 compression. In order for the Tomb Raider Level Editor to play the sound files correctly, you must convert the MP3 files to the correct format using the method outlined below.

1) If they are not already installed, or if they are not included with this custom level Zip archive, download and install the following from www.winamp.com :

'WinAmp' by Nullsoft (Version 2.77 or higher)

'Lame MP3 Output Plug-in' by Steve Lhomme

2) Make a copy of all of the sound files currently in your TRLE / Audio folder so that you can return to your normal set-up after playing the custom level. If you don't do this then other custom levels will play the wrong sounds.

3) Launch 'WinAmp'. Press Ctrl+P to access WinAmp Preferences.

4) Click 'Plug-ins / Output' and select 'Nullsoft Disk Writer'.

5) Click 'Configure' button. Settings should be set as follows:

Convert to format: Checked

Click on '...' button and select:

Format: Microsoft ADPCM
Attributes: 44,100 Hz, 4 Bit, Stereo 43 KB/s

All other: unselected or default.

6) Click 'Output Directory' button and select: C:\Program Files\Core Design\trle\audio

7) Click 'OK' twice and 'Close' to exit WinAmp Preferences.

6) Select all of the MP3 files to be converted, and drag and drop them on to WinAmp. All files will convert and save automatically. Wait until WinAmp has become inactive.

8) Close all open applications and play your custom level!

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If you have any problems you can ask for help at: http://www.eidosgames.com/cgi-bin/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=Tomb+Raider+Level+Editor+&number=31

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Special thanks to Jantje and Data for useful information and encouragement.