music in FG

[Sparhawk]

I am thinking about using skype besides FG2 for voice communication in the game. Is there any mode to share the music or ambient sounds you are playing to the players? Other program better than skype? We have been using it while playing multiplayer videogames and worked well.

[Trenloe]

I am thinking about using skype besides FG2 for voice communication in the game. Is there any mode to share the music or ambient sounds you are playing to the players? Other program better than skype? We have been using it while playing multiplayer videogames and worked well.

Check a post I made regarding sounds effects and background music here (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showpost.php?p=109615&postcount=11)

The streaming app I mentioned is what I use now - I play music on my PC which is streamed via a web link to the players. They can control the volume themselves so that they can hear it well but not let it overwhelm the voice we use over Skype.

[Moon Wizard]

There's another similar thread going as well, where DrZ provided some good info. I thought I remembered that there were a few threads like this floating around in the forums, so make sure to Search as well.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15075

Cheers,
JPG

[Sparhawk]

Thanks! I think the voice morpher idea is great!
About the background music, could you explain to a dummy how audio streaming from your pc works?

[Trenloe]

Thanks! I think the voice morpher idea is great!
About the background music, could you explain to a dummy how audio streaming from your pc works?

Basically, when you're on a website and there is a link to music/video on the site - when you click the link it doesn't download the actual music/video file to your PC but it starts a player application (Windows Media Player is usually the default) and this connects to the website and plays the music "stream". So, the actual music data is being sent as it is being played.

I use an application called BroadWave Streaming Audio Server (https://www.nch.com.au/streaming/index.html) this allows me to either setup a list of audio files or stream live audio - I set up a live stream from Windows Media Player and so I can play the appropriate music when I want.

The streaming app provides a number of different web links compatible with different streaming clients. You will need to setup port forwarding on port 88 on your internet router for your players to be able to connect through from the internet - there is a wizard in the app to do this.

Disadvantages with this application:
- There is an 8 second delay from playing music on your PC to what the players hear. This is not a problem for music, but makes using sound effects this way a little impractical.
- You are supposed to pay for it after 14 days - and it's expensive (very)! However, you can use it free if you provide a link to the producers website. The website says "Free if you add a link You can use the full version of BroadWave free if you link to us on your site." So, as only my players use my "site" I make sure they use the application weblink that shows a banner in Windows Media Player with a link to their site.

There are many other streaming applications available out there, so you don't have to use this one. Its just the one I use...

:)

[Sparhawk]

Thanks for your's answers. It seems no easy but I will try hard.

[Stitched]

I used Virtual Audio Cable (for PC): https://software.muzychenko.net/eng/vac.htm

What it allows you do is pipe input of any audio source into another audio source. In the above example, I can play audio from a music player and combine it with my microphone input so that anyone listening will hear a mix of my speech with music as background. Dead useful and not break-the-bank expensive (30 bucks).

[Sparhawk]

Help with VAC, please!:confused:
I suppose I have to open Audio Repeater (KS or MME?)
Then, what would I select in Wave In and Wave Out?
(I use HD Audio rear Output and HD Audio front mic)

[Trenloe]

Help with VAC, please!:confused:
I suppose I have to open Audio Repeater (KS or MME?)
Then, what would I select in Wave In and Wave Out?
(I use HD Audio rear Output and HD Audio front mic)

OK, we need to know what are you trying to accomplish...

Questions to answer:


What audio do you want to "mix" together?
What application do you want to send the "mixed" audio from the apps in 1 above to?


An example could be:


Mix together audio from my microphone and music from windows media player
Send mixed audio to Skype

[Stitched]

I use KS because it was the only way I could get it to work. You can have more than one "connection" of audio feeds.

So I would pipe my sound card output to a "virtual mic", run another instance of the software and pipe my "mic input" to a "virtual mic".

Then in Skype or whatever I am using for the adventure, I would select "virtual mic" as my Microphone source.

I am going by memory here since I am at work. Will have the definitive answer in 8 hours or so.

[Zeus]

This might help. Eugenez provided some steps to using VAC over in this older thread (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11932&highlight=virtual+audio+cable).

[Sparhawk]

My case is exactly the example you are assuming.

[Trenloe]

My case is exactly the example you are assuming.

As DrZeuss says, the post by Eugenez is the steps to do what you want - post #8 in the thread referenced.

It can get a little complex - because you will want to listen to the music coming from Windows Media Player (WMP) but not want to listen to your own voice coming from the Mic. Hence the use of 2 Virtual Audi Cables (VAC1 and VAC2) and 3 Audio Repeaters:

- VAC1 mixes 2 inputs - MIC (via audio repeater instance #1) and WMP audio from VAC2 (via audio repeater instance #2).
- VAC2 takes the audio from WMP and makes it available to Audio Repeaters #2 and #3. (configure WMP: Options -> Devices -> Speakers = Line 2 (virtual audio cable) - restart WMP)

- Audio Repeaters #1 and #2 work as mentioned above (connect MIC to VAC1 and VAC2 to VAC1, respectively).
- Audio Repeater #3 takes the output of VAC2 (WMP audio) and sends it to "Windows Default" - whichever speakers are active at that time (could be speakers or the headphones of a headset).

Create VAC1 and VAC2 using the VAC Control Panel - you should then see Mic 1, Line 1, Mic 2 and Line 2 appear as Windows recording devices. Line 1 and Line 2 will appear also as playback devices.

Then start your 3 audio repeaters and configure them as mentioned by Eugenez.

A bit involved, but once you get it working it's pretty straitforward to fire it up each time...

[Sparhawk]

Thanks for being so helpful.
I will be away from keyboard for a week (holidays), but when I come back I'll get it.:square:

[demonsbane]

Anyone mentioned in these threads rpg related sound applications like RPG Soundmixer (https://www.rpgsoundmixer.com/) or Syrinscape (https://syrinscape.com/home)?

If you can stream the sounds, they can be very useful in midst of online games.

[wbcreighton]

Anyone mentioned in these threads rpg related sound applications like RPG Soundmixer (https://www.rpgsoundmixer.com/) or Syrinscape (https://syrinscape.com/home)?

If you can stream the sounds, they can be very useful in midst of online games.

Have you got an opinion about the 2 programs ? Which one is better ?

[demonsbane]

Sorry, I hadn't the time yet for trying Syrinscape, but it looks promising and offers a number of downloadable sound packages. RPG Soundmixer halted its development some time ago: it was pretty good, but I think that likely it's a bit outdated now -maybe that will change in the future.