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Greetings and salutations my friends! This guide is intended to explain the basics of automated music playing using the ingame ABC music system. Following this guide, you will be playing those funny little .abc files in no time, regardless of technical savvy! Note that this guide covers those using Windows XP or Vista. Hope you enjoy!
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The Basics
Let’s begin with a general overview of the system. The automated music feature of LOTRO allows you to play music files, commonly called “ABC files”, ingame simply by entering a few commands.
What is an ABC file?
Glad you asked! An ABC file is a musical notation written in a format called ABC notation which uses characters found on your keyboard. For more detailed information on ABC notation, its history and uses, try a simple Google search or reference website like Wikipedia.
So how does it work?
It’s very simple! You find an ABC file, which itself is simply a small text file, and put it in a particular directory/folder on your computer. Then, once you are ingame, you input some commands and voila! The LOTRO client begins reading and playing back your song. You can also create your own ABC files, but we will not be covering that in this guide.
So how do I get started?
Keep reading and we will be playing in no time!
Getting ABC Files
Since the inception of the automated music system many members of the LOTRO community have created, found, and shared ABC files.
My most used resources for finding ABC files are:
Northwoods’ ABC Songbook Thread*
The Fat Lute (Lots of good info and ABC archive here)
Giddily’s Music Archive for LOTRO
* = To use songs in Northwoods’ thread, simply copy and paste the entire ABC notation into a new Notepad document. Select “File”, then “Save As”, select “All Files” from the file type drop down menu, and name it whatever you like followed by “.abc”. For example, if I were to name it “Song1” I would save it as, Song1.abc
Take note of where you download/save your ABC file, as you will need to place it in the right directory for the next step!
Okay, I have some ABC files, now what?
Now we have to put them where the LOTRO client can find them! Keep reading!
Location of ABC Files
Now that you have your ABC files ready to go, let’s place them in the particular directory/folder they need to be in for the LOTRO client to read them.
First, find your LOTRO folder inside you’re “My Documents” (Windows XP) or “Documents” (Windows Vista). This is the folder where all of your screenshots are saved. Typically it is C:\My Documents\The Lord of the Rings Online\ or C:\Documents\The Lord of the Rings Online\
Once you have that folder open, right click your mouse and select “New > Folder”. Name this new folder “Music”.
Open the “Music” folder you just created and move or copy your previously downloaded/saved ABC files inside it. Any new ABC files you download or create can be saved or placed into this folder from now on.
Important Note! Write down or remember the names of your ABC files, you’ll need to know them later.
Now you have your ABC files where they need to be, let’s go ingame and get to playing!
Alright, but I don’t know any of the commands!
Keep reading, they are covered next!
Basic Commands for Playback
Once you are all logged in and ready to start, equip your favorite instrument. If you do not own an instrument, visit the nearest Bard NPC and purchase one for a few silver pieces.
Enter music mode by typing /music
Now you need to recall the name of the ABC file you want to play! While in /music mode you will use the command /play followed by the name of the ABC file you wish to play.
For example, if I wanted to play “Song1.abc” I would enter /music mode, then type /play Song1
You will then begin playback of the ABC file!
If you receive the error message that the file does not exist and/or cannot be played then one of two things may have happened. Either your ABC file is incorrectly written or it is not in the Music folder inside your LOTRO directory/folder.
- If the message says the file does not exist, then logout and check to be sure the file is in the Music folder and that you are spelling the name of the file correctly.
- If the message says a specific line is incorrect, then the ABC file is written incorrectly, try another ABC file.
Congratulations, you are now playing like a maestro!
This is cool. Can I play with my friends?
You sure can! Keep reading for advanced commands!
Advanced Commands for Playback
Once you have mastered solo play you may want to try playing songs with friends!
You can play simultaneously, using different instruments if you like, with some advanced playback commands.
First, make sure you both have the same song’s ABC file in your Music folder. The files themselves do not have to be named the same, but it needs to be the same song.
Now, log into the game and form a fellowship with whomever you want to play with.
While in the fellowship, everyone enter music mode using /music
Each person will then type /play filename sync with “filename” being the name of your ABC file you are all going to play.
For example, if you wanted to play Song1.abc, you would all type /play Song1 sync If your fellows ABC file were named say Song2.abc, he would type /play Song2 sync
You should all receive a message on your screen after entering this command that says something along the lines of, “Player_Name is ready to begin synchronised playing”
Once you have all sync-ed up and are ready to begin, any of the fellowship members can then type /playstart
You will receive a message confirming that synchronized playing is about to begin and then it will begin!
Congratulations! You are now playing simultaneously with your fellowship members!
There are many files out there that have been especially adapted for these advanced features which single out certain parts of songs or tunes designed for specific instruments, search around and experiment some, above all, have fun!
Index of Commands
- /music – Enters music mode
- /play Filename – Begins solo playback of an ABC file
- /play Filename sync – Prepares player for synchronised playback of an ABC file
- /playstart – Begins synchronous playback of an ABC file
Example Videos
My kinmates and I have had great fun with these systems! There are several videos on YouTube demonstrating the music systems.
Here are a few links to some created by me, Meriband Hamhill. Enjoy!
The above videos are all very basic, made soon after each area of the ABC system was implemented. If you search around you will find some very well done ones.
Here are a couple of my favorites:
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