Curse

EternalTempest · Jul 28, 2009, 03:59 PM // 15:59

DirectSong FAQ Addendum - Version 2.1.0

This is an addendum to my DirectSong FAQ.
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10069916

DirectSong web site has pretty much removed all Guildwars Music pack integration from there main website.
It still works... it's just a more complex process.

Here's DirectSong's official instructions

Quote:

Directory Structure

1) You need to have a directory named DirectSong.

2) In the DirectSong directory, you need to have the following three files.

ds_GuildWars.dll and GuildWars.ds and RegisterDirectSongDirectory.exe

3) Guild Wars needs to know where the audio files are located on your computer. This is done by storing some information in your computers registry file. After you have created your DirectSong directory, you can copy the RegisterDirectSongDirectory.exe into the DirectSong directory and run it. This will create the required registry keys. *Note: If you are running a 64 Bit Operating System, you will have to Right Click on the RegisterDirectSongDirectory.exe and choose the option Run As Administrator for the correct update to your registry to be applied. More information is below in the Registry Keys section.

4) For each Guild Wars Soundtrack that you own, you need to have a sub-directory within the DirectSong directory and that folder must be named exactly like the examples given below. This sub-directory will contain all the music files for that soundtrack.

A visual example of the directory structure can be found in the file DirectoryStructure.JPG.

(parent directory)
DirectSong

(sub-directories inside the DirectSong directory)

Guild Wars Battle Pak One

Guild Wars Eye of the North Original Soundtrack

Guild Wars Factions Collector's Edition

Guild Wars Factions Original Soundtrack

Guild Wars Nightfall Collector's Edition

Guild Wars Nightfall Original Soundtrack

Guild Wars Special Edition Soundtrack

Sorrow's Furnace Mini-Pak

How it works

The Guild Wars game ships with the music in the game. If you have obtained music from DirectSong, what you have is either a higher fidelity version of the same music, or you have additional music that wasn't shipped with the game. This is the case with many of the Collector's Editions.

When Guild Wars starts up, it first determines if you have any DirectSong music files on your PC. It does this by reading the information from your computers registry. If the registry information is correct, Guild Wars now knows where your DirectSong folder is. One critical thing Guild Wars knows is where to find the ds_GuildWars.dll file is located since this file is required to play back the DirectSong version of a song.

While playing the game, should you change zones or should you be in a location long enough for the music to swap to another song Guild Wars looks to see if the song is available as the DirectSong version. If the DirectSong music file is found on your computer it will load and play that version instead of version which is embedded in the game.

This list of music files to played in the different locations in the game is contained in the file, GuildWars.ds.

Registry Keys

The DirectSong Registry Keys are as follows.

For a Windows 32 Bit Operating System, you will find the key at this location.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\DirectSong

The subkey is titled MusicPath, and it should indicate the location of your DirectSong directory on your computer.

If you are using a 64bit Windows Operation Sytem the keys woul look like this

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\DirectSong

I also like Omega X's simplifed instructions

Quote:

You create a Folder anywhere on the PC
Place the relevant files ds_GuildWars.dll and GuildWars.ds in the directory
Place your music files in their own folders in that directory
Link them to the Registry with RegisterDirectSongDirectory.exe which has to be placed in the same folder with the dll and ds files.

Alternate Download

I've created a 7zip file which has **ALL** of the music where you can just download and extract the files, then run the RegisterDirectSongDirectory.exe - http://www.filehosting.org/file/deta.../DirectSong.7z

As pointed about by Omega X, Right click on RegisterDirectSongDirectory.exe and "Run As Administrator" if using Windows Vista / 7.

*** Important- This download will not give you the ability to play music files you do not have rights too **

You still have to try and play them in Windows Media Player, login to Direct Song and authorize the music packs you have rights to.

Important - You do have to activate the DRM by trying to play the file in windows media player 1st. I highly recommend you do the 8 hr license 1st to make sure WMP works correctly. Then latter do a "permanent" license.
Also, see this great thread on how to customize DirectSong, and even do your own music: http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10269138

****UPDATE****
It appears DirectSong is giving away DRM free versions of the Collector's Edition packs for Factions and Nightfall.

http://www.directsong.com/support/kn....php?article=1

Factions CE - http://www.directsong.com/wma/Guild_...dition_WMA.zip
Nightfall CE - http://www.directsong.com/wma/Guild_...dition_WMA.zip

...

Omega X · Oct 22, 2009, 06:52 PM // 18:52

One quick mention, If you are on Windows Vista or Windows 7, you might have to elevate the RegisterDirectSongDirectory.exe in order for it to properly write to the Registry.

Right Click on RegisterDirectSongDirectory.exe and Choose "Run As Administrator".

Star Gazer · Oct 29, 2009, 04:01 AM // 04:01

ok i am a bit confused (and have been since 05) about the integration of music packs. Can you provide a step by step guide on how to do this? Also, when you say it has been discontinued, is this for older versions as well?

sorry to be thread necromancer, but i had to ask :b

B1ack0ut · Oct 30, 2009, 09:46 PM // 21:46

Okay when I right click to run as administrator It just says there is no directory. What, where, and how do I get this directory?

Omega X · Nov 02, 2009, 04:41 AM // 04:41

@B1ack0ut

Usually when it says "No Directory Detected", means it didn't find any previous directories linked to DirectSong.

But it will then link the new directory automatically.

@Star Gazer

DirectSong discontinued the selling of the DRM Windows Media music packs. They now sell those packs in MP3 format. But you can no longer link them officially. You would have to alter a trigger list which contains track names.

The relevant guides are in the first post.

But basically:

You create a Folder anywhere on the PC
Place the relevant files ds_GuildWars.dll and GuildWars.ds in the directory
Place your music files in their own folders in that directory
Link them to the Registry with RegisterDirectSongDirectory.exe which has to be placed in the same folder with the dll and ds files.

Then afterward you have to authenticate the DRM files with Windows Media Player assuming you have a valid account and necessary rights with DirectSong. The MP3 files don't need authentication but you have to alter GuildWars.ds to add the MP3 songs which is apart of another guide linked in the first post.

Star Gazer · Nov 03, 2009, 04:12 PM // 16:12

thanks omega

i downloaded these things when I bought the packs (over 3 years ago) and had them stored, but for some reason, they would not link up to the game. I gave it one more try and it seemed to streamline the music, using a different melody in gla hatchery. thank you for your help!

Akaraxle · Nov 04, 2009, 02:21 PM // 14:21

Sidenote: it appears licences, even permanent ones, are refreshed once in a while. This for those worried about reformats, etc. (I never managed to backup my DRM, idiotic protection system).

Yoom Omer · Nov 13, 2009, 09:00 AM // 09:00

Hmmm... How do you make this work with the GW Special Edition music?
It doesn't appear on the .txt file.

Razorblade Monkey · Nov 19, 2009, 06:58 PM // 18:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by EternalTempest

The ONLY nice things, if you go to www.directsong.com, some of the Guildwars music packs you own can be download as mp3 / 320kbs DRM Free format.

I have the two CE music packs and the free SF pack on my list, but it is only offering downloads of the original protected WMA's, are these packs excluded from those redone in unprotected mp3?

Kador · Nov 20, 2009, 09:15 AM // 09:15

How do I get these working and redeem a new CE code? I just got the Nightfall and Factions CE's and the link provided in the box doesn't work. I registered an account at directsong but there is nowhere to redeem the code.

Strange, the Factions link still works, directsong.com/gwf but directsong.com/nightfall does not work. I tried /gwnf and it works.

Well the link is there but the code redemption doe NOT work. I got an error saying to contact the site admin. Of course there is no email address anywhere to contact them. Looks like I'm screwed out of the CE content.

I sent in a support ticket to directsong almost a week ago and still no response. Does anyone have an email or phone number to Directsong that might actually get a response?

EternalTempest · Dec 09, 2009, 05:45 PM // 17:45

Major Revision of article.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yoom Omer

Hmmm... How do you make this work with the GW Special Edition music?
It doesn't appear on the .txt file.

Fixed the text file. The "Special Edition" 4 bonus tracks are ... included in the GW Original Soundtrack now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razorblade Monkey

I have the two CE music packs and the free SF pack on my list, but it is only offering downloads of the original protected WMA's, are these packs excluded from those redone in unprotected mp3?

Correct, some of the packs are not offered as mp3 download, mainly the Collector's edition packs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kador

How do I get these working and redeem a new CE code? I just got the Nightfall and Factions CE's and the link provided in the box doesn't work. I registered an account at directsong but there is nowhere to redeem the code.

Strange, the Factions link still works, directsong.com/gwf but directsong.com/nightfall does not work. I tried /gwnf and it works.

Well the link is there but the code redemption doe NOT work. I got an error saying to contact the site admin. Of course there is no email address anywhere to contact them. Looks like I'm screwed out of the CE content.

I sent in a support ticket to directsong almost a week ago and still no response. Does anyone have an email or phone number to Directsong that might actually get a response?

Here's the link for gw nightfall registration:
http://www.directsong.com/gwnf

Arduin · Dec 10, 2009, 10:45 AM // 10:45

Directsong is being annoying again. Downloaded and installed your 7 pack, EternalTempest (thanks for that), linked them to the registry, and tried to play a song in WMP... only to see I have zero 8 hour licenses and zero permanent licenses left...

I already had sent an email to Directsong, some time ago, but never got any response. I prior have been able to use the music ingame, and knew licenses get refreshed now and then, but I guess I am kinda stuck now.

EternalTempest · Dec 10, 2009, 01:50 PM // 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arduinna

Directsong is being annoying again. Downloaded and installed your 7 pack, EternalTempest (thanks for that), linked them to the registry, and tried to play a song in WMP... only to see I have zero 8 hour licenses and zero permanent licenses left...

I already had sent an email to Directsong, some time ago, but never got any response. I prior have been able to use the music ingame, and knew licenses get refreshed now and then, but I guess I am kinda stuck now.

A bit of work but if you log in to direct song, go to my account on bottom, then click to see your orders, you can download mp3 versions of some of the albums, then use the utility to customize the sound track with the mp3 versions over the wma versions.

The program to easily do this is at the bottom of this post.
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10269138

(Edit) Limitation of Guru and attachments

In workpad, do Find & Replace - wma -> mp3.

Arduin · Dec 10, 2009, 07:56 PM // 19:56

Guess I'll be fiddling for a bit. Thanks.

Argel · Feb 13, 2010, 07:07 AM // 07:07

If you want to go through the effort it's possible to use the MP3 versions. You have to rename everying in the GuildWars.ds and GuildWars.txt files. Using an editor with RegEx support can make this much less painful. I used the demo for EditPad Pro (first editor that came up in a search).

An example:

Search:

"(/[0-9][0-9])_"

Replace:

"\1 - "

Note1: Make sure "Regular Expression" is checked and leave the double-quotes out.

Note2: That's a space after the "-".

Note3: The \1 tells the RegEx engine to use the value from the first capture group -- everything in the parenthesis in the search RegEx.

Note4: No need to edit both files -- as far as I can tell they are exact copies. So you can edit GuildWars.ds, save it, and then save it as GuildWars.txt as well.

I don't think there is an MP3 version of the Sorrow's Furnace Mini-Pak. So if you want to use the WMA version (assuming you can still get them authorized) you will have to change those entries back after doing the Search & Replace (or fine tune the RegEx).

Since Gaile posted on here on how to edit the GuildWars.ds file I don't think mentioning how to do this is an issue since you can edit the file to play your own music as well.

Miss Puddles · Feb 25, 2010, 03:48 PM // 15:48

I sent a support ticket to DS over a month ago and they haven't responded. Maybe someone here knows.
When I go through the process of getting my files licensed, the box that is supposed to pop up after I enter my login info appears to be a broken link.

sosycpsycho · Mar 03, 2010, 09:04 PM // 21:04

yeah I have had that problem with the link for the sorrows furnace, for the most part it seems like if you go to DOWNLOADS it will show on the list as an item you have rights to download even if it crashed on the checkout. if not then there is not many options through direct song.

EternalTempest · Jun 05, 2011, 06:14 AM // 06:14

Updated Guide / Cleaned up, added instructions from DirectSong's readme.
Still not quite were I want it yet... but much improved.

Xitoahc · Jul 09, 2011, 12:09 PM // 12:09

Thanks EternalTempest for maintaining this guide!

Unfortunately the link you provided for 7zip file isn't working for me, I put in my email and it sends me a download link to grab the file, but once I click download it tells me the file is not available. Have I done something wrong?

Snograt · Jul 09, 2011, 04:26 PM // 16:26

Error
The file is not available. Please try again later

Thanks for keeping this thing going for 2 years+ though