Implementing Music in Aleph One?

[Marathoner325]

I have recently been attempting to insert music files into the Marathon 2 maps on Aleph One. However, I have so far been unsuccessful, partly due to the fact that I have very little prior experience with MML coding. But since the solution is likely quite simple?and I have already spent quite some time looking over the MML Guide, as well as past Pfhorum topics?I figured that going ahead and asking is probably the best choice.
Now, the MML Guide states that Level Scripts exist within the map file, and since I'm going to be editing the script within it, I assume it would be necessary to un-merge or expand its contents?

And so my first question is, how can I open the map file? There was the Marathon Map Splitter program, but that was made before the Aleph One upgrades, and is therefore only compatible with the original Marathon 2/Infinity engine. Might there any similar applications for Aleph One?
And as for merging the scripts and the map together, what map making program would be best suited? I gave an attempt with Forge, but didn't expect it to work?which it didn't?as Forge existed before MML coding was possible.

Please do answer if you can, and if I'm really going in a completely wrong direction, please do understand my lack of experience on the technical side of the Marathon engine, as with programming in general.

[goran]

The script doesn't need to be merged with the map file. Put the script in A1's script folder. Although, that would apply the songs to all maps you play. If you want to split and merge the map file, I recommend Atque.

Index decides which level to apply the song to. Index 0 is the first level. Index 1 is the second level and so on.

File is the search path to the song, starting from the A1 folder. In the example below, I have a folder called music in my A1 folder, where I've put two mp3s.

<marathon_levels>

<level index="0">
<music file="music/song1.mp3"/>
</level>

<level index="1">
<music file="music/song2.mp3"/>
</level>

</marathon_levels>

[treellama]

<marathon_levels> scripts do need to be merged with the map file. That's the only way to make music specific to a level.

You can have generic background music for all levels by using the <default_levels> tag in a standalone <marathon> MML script or plugin.

[Dugit]

How do you get a specific piece to play during a chapter screen? I tried de-merging M2 but I can't find anything helpful...

[treellama]

You can't play music during a chapter screen--but you can play a sound. You should find them in the SND folder in M2's resources.

[Dugit]

Thanks, TL! All is well.

[Marathoner325]

Well I just got the music files working properly.
Thanks for the help?both of you.

[???Durandal???]

hmm, i tried this myself but for some reason its not working for me. here is my script in its entirety.

<marathon>

<default_levels>
<level index="0">
<music file="MUSIC/mysong.mp3"/>
</level>
</default_levels>

</marathon>

I also tried:

<marathon>

<default_levels>
<music file="MUSIC/mysong.mp3"/>
</default_levels>

</marathon>


Am i missing something?

[treellama]

The second one should work. Check your path and mp3 file to make sure they're valid.

You can't have <level> tags inside <default_levels> so that's why the first doesn't work.

[???Durandal???]

I validated them, but still no dice. unless I'm supposed list the entire path (I.e User/destop/marathon/tracks/mysong.mp3). strange...

[treellama]

No, it's relative to the scenario directory, or the plugin directory if you're putting it in a plugin. Try using one of the M1A1 mp3s since we know they work--maybe it's your mp3.

[Dugit]

The folder holding your music is called tracks, yet you've cited it in the script as "MUSIC". Change "MUSIC" to "tracks" in the script, or "tracks" to "MUSIC" as the music folder.