Author Topic: FF7 Music (Read 11538 times)

tysonrss · « **on:** 2011-12-27 19:48:12 »

Hi all. I have the FF7 Music program with the ogg files that play well. The only problem is that after the battle, it takes like 5-6 seconds for the victory sound to start. Everything else I guess it loads about 1-2 secs late--but that isn't a big deal. Onlt the victory fanfare...it really takes the fun out the game when that happens. Is there a workaround or fix? I know it reads debug data to figure out what to play next...but I don't understand why it takes longer to read then the other stuff.

Covarr · « **Reply #1 on:** 2011-12-27 20:29:20 »

People have brought this up time and time again, and I have yet to figure out what's causing it. You could try changing the output plugin settings to have a smaller buffer, but that probably wouldn't make a huge difference.

It's hard for me to really troubleshoot it, since I've never had this problem myself. Otherwise, I'd try and build a fix into the installer.

tysonrss · « **Reply #2 on:** 2011-12-27 20:46:06 »

I tried and it got worse I think...

This really blows. I wonder what it could be...

I have a new problem. At certain parts..after certain scenes, the music and sounds get muted. Why is this?

I personally think that a tool shouldn't be made if it makes it harder for the user, tools after all, are supposed to make things easier..

Mod edit: merged double post

Covarr · « **Reply #3 on:** 2011-12-28 06:15:28 »

Quote from: tysonrss on 2011-12-27 20:46:06

I have a new problem. At certain parts..after certain scenes, the music and sounds get muted. Why is this?

This is usually a sign that FF7Music isn't working at all. When FF7 attempts to turn down music volume on Windows Vista or 7, it turns down the volume of music and game alike. With FF7Music running and "music_plugin" properly set in Aali's driver, it doesn't even attempt this, so there should be NO issues with sound effects.

Are you sure ff7music is even being used at this point, and not ff7's built-in midi music?

tysonrss · « **Reply #4 on:** 2011-12-28 18:45:50 »

Yes I'm sure, I took the # off the list in the driver's cfg file so that it can read other music. I open FF7Music and click play. It in fact made not only the music in-game muted, but sound effects/other things that require sound on Windows as well. I had to go back in game for the music to start again and quit...

I'm using XP. I will say that I didn't use your installer because I was too lazy after downloading many things that day. It's still the latest version of FF7Music 1.5.1, so there can't be much of a difference...

Covarr · « **Reply #5 on:** 2011-12-28 19:50:46 »

Quote from: tysonrss on 2011-12-28 18:45:50

Yes I'm sure, I took the # off the list in the driver's cfg file so that it can read other music. I open FF7Music and click play. It in fact made not only the music in-game muted, but sound effects/other things that require sound on Windows as well. I had to go back in game for the music to start again and quit...

That is very odd indeed. It seems like FF7Music is stealing the audio driver from Windows so the game can't use it, but failing to play music. What sound device are ff7music and ff7config set to? I strongly recommend using "Microsoft Sound Mapper" if it's available rather than naming the card itself, as it could potentially try to take complete control of your sound card, but MS Sound Mapper is a little better at sharing.

Quote from: tysonrss on 2011-12-28 18:45:50

I'm using XP. I will say that I didn't use your installer because I was too lazy after downloading many things that day. It's still the latest version of FF7Music 1.5.1, so there can't be much of a difference...

In some ways, the installer is exactly the same. It's the same songs, the same application. However, it handles a lot of settings for the user (which is particularly necessary on Vista/7 since ff7music doesn't like to play nice on those, but less of a problem on XP), makes sure things are put in the right directories, and generally prevents a lot of common issues. Your issue, however, seems to be an odd one, and I doubt using the installer would help with it (though don't be afraid to give it a try).

tysonrss · « **Reply #6 on:** 2011-12-29 06:50:13 »

I set the waveout for sound mapper as I was using my own card. Could you tell me what number your switches are as well so I could replicate it?

Covarr · « **Reply #7 on:** 2011-12-29 18:28:18 »

Quote from: tysonrss on 2011-12-29 06:50:13

I set the waveout for sound mapper as I was using my own card. Could you tell me what number your switches are as well so I could replicate it?

I'm not really sure what you mean by "what number my switches are" but here's my settings. I've had no trouble with these.

It's worth noting that if you use Aali's driver's music plugin, the "Midi controls" section does nothing.

tysonrss · « **Reply #8 on:** 2011-12-29 18:45:04 »

My settings are the same and I still get the lag

Would moving the top one up or down do anything?

Covarr · « **Reply #9 on:** 2011-12-29 18:49:54 »

Moving the "Buffer length" down should theoretically reduce the lag by up to two seconds. Unfortunately, it can also lead to crackling. Feel free to experiment with it, bring it down as far as you can without ruining the audio quality.

tysonrss · « **Reply #10 on:** 2011-12-29 20:21:59 »

Ah I see...thanks.

tysonrss · « **Reply #11 on:** 2012-01-01 05:58:56 »

I think I know why the music takes as long as it does to load. When the OST's play, they're looking for the FFA show plugin. When I try to load the music up normally(or with rmxp) it takes awhile and then starts when the FFA show plugin is intitialized...This might be why. I'm not 100% sure.

kypdjk · « **Reply #12 on:** 2012-01-11 15:22:46 »

So i had to reformat my computer and i reinstalled ffvii and ran BFE as an administrator. I looked in other threads and saw no clear answer, but for some reason I get no music at all (using FF7music, bootleg mix). I can hear other normal sounds in the game, just not the music. Has anyone else had this issue?

Covarr · « **Reply #13 on:** 2012-01-11 19:46:30 »

1. Make sure ff7music is configured for the correct sound device.
2. If you're using the remastered soundtrack, make sure you used the full installer rather than the minimal installer (I think bootleg requires this).
3. How are you starting ff7? The start menu shortcut that comes with the game does not start ff7music; my installer creates a new desktop shortcut which is recommended. I've not used bootleg, but if it creates a shortcut, that's probably what you'll want to use.

kypdjk · « **Reply #14 on:** 2012-01-12 05:11:54 »

For some reason before i did the reformat it worked perfectly. Now it doesn't play music. I think BFE automatically does the full installer because I don't see an option for it. I always start FF7 through ff7music so I know that's not the problem (i always pin it to the start menu). Does ff7music still require that i have winamp somewhere?

Covarr · « **Reply #15 on:** 2012-01-12 06:13:05 »

Quote from: kypdjk on 2012-01-12 05:11:54

Does ff7music still require that i have winamp somewhere?

No, it doesn't.

BFE should've had you download ff7music, and it would've linked you to the correct one, yes. I am pretty sure that it won't even install without it, but I can't say with 100% certainty.

Vgr · « **Reply #16 on:** 2012-01-12 20:06:02 »

Check the "Presets" submenu. It WILL install without FF7Music, but it's untested.

kypdjk · « **Reply #17 on:** 2012-01-13 02:03:19 »

Weirdest thing, just for the heck of it I tried installing BFE without running it as an administrator and now the music works perfectly. Any ideas?

Vgr · « **Reply #18 on:** 2012-01-13 14:29:11 »

You will encounter some glitches somewhere, most likely related to models or textures.

PitBrat · « **Reply #19 on:** 2012-01-13 16:51:50 »

As long as you don't change the difficulty mode, reinstalling Bootleg should work without any problems.