How to create a new accent

**Aikanár** · April 24, 2010, 11:36 AM

In this tutorial we'll create a new accent for a faction of a modfoldered mod step by step.
The total conversion Third Age:Total War will be used as an example of how to create the accent, but if you follow this tutorial you should be capable of doing it for every other mod as well.
As for a possible hardcoded limit of accents, till now I've reached none, therefore it seems to be possible to create an unique accent for every faction of a mod up to the hardcoded limit of 31 factions and furthermore for every character in the game, if one has enough patience to do so.

Sidenotes:

multilanguage compatibility:

Prerequisites and how to use them: Like to any other soundediting, you will have to download the .idx extractor created by Vercingetorix and the officially released Medieval II soundfiles.
For special purposes like adding an existing accent of the americas, british_isles, crusades or teutonic campaigns to your mod, you've to download the officialy released Kingdoms soundfiles
Take note that even if you're modding for MIIK, you don't need the MIIK soundfiles as long as you don't intend to use accents of the MIIK campaigns.
When you've downloaded the MII soundfiles extract all of them into your modname\data\ folder without the permission to overwrite files.
Using the .idx extractor:
When you've downloaded the .idx extractor, you've to extract it and place all the files into your modname\data\sounds folder, in our case the Third_Age\data\sounds folder.
Most of the options explained in the readme.txt are of no particular concern of yours, but it's worth to have a look at it nevertheless.
To add new voices to your accent, you've to extract the Voice.idx of your mod (Third_Age\data\sounds\Voice.idx)
Select the extract_sounds.bat and open it with any given texteditor. Change it in order that it looks like this:

Code:

.\xidx.exe -x Voice
pause

Save your changes and doubleclick the extract_sounds.bat. The voices will now be extracted into your modname\data\sounds\data\sounds\Voice (Third_Age\data\sounds\data\sounds\Voice) folder.
After the extracting process is done, cut the Voice folder and paste it into your mod\data\sounds folder in order that it looks like this: modname\data\sounds\Voice (Third_Age\data\sounds\Voice).
Delete the modname\data\sounds\data folder.
Since we only want to add a new accent and thus only need the Voice.idx extracted, we're done with the .idx extractor.

coding: Now comes the fun part, the coding

.
To add a new accent you've to edit the following files:

descr_sounds_accents.txt - in this file the accent is defined and the faction(s) get assigned to the accent
descr_sounds_units_confirm.txt - in this file the accent gets assigned to unit groups
export_descr_sounds_prebattle.txt - in this file all prebattle voices, such as battle speaches, are assigned
export_descr_sounds_soldier_voice.txt - in this file all the individual voices of the soldiers, such as yells, grunts, moans &c., are assigned
export_descr_sounds_stratmap_voice.txt - in this file all strat map voices, such as selection, movement, diplomacy &c., are assigned
export_descr_sounds_units_battle_events.txt - in this file all battle map voices of the narrator are assigned
export_descr_sounds_units_voice.txt - in this file all the battle map voices of the units are assigned
diplomacy.txt - in this file you've to place the text you want to have displayed when the sound is played
diplomacy_speech.txt - see above

In our example we will now add a new accent for the faction egypt. Since egypt represents the High-elves in Third Age, we will name the accent Quenya, but you can basically name the accent to whatever your liking may be. Take note that some of the original sound files have a last blank line, leave this line alone!

descr_sounds_accents.txt: We add the new accent at the bottom of the file and assign the faction egypt to it. Don't forget to remove the faction egypt from the former accent!

Code:

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
;

accent English
    factions turks, scotland, sicily, milan, normans, saxons, teutonic_order, slave

accent Scottish
    factions moors

accent French
    factions

accent German
    factions england, hre, france, papal_states

accent Mediterranean
    factions byzantium, portugal

accent East_European
    factions russia, poland, hungary, denmark

accent Arabic
    factions spain, venice

accent Mongolian
    factions timurids, aztecs

accent Quenya ;<<<<<<< new accent
	factions egypt

descr_sounds_units_confirm.txt: We further need to add the accent to the accent line:

Code:

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
;;
;; Units group confirm bank
;;
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

DEFAULT: 3d mindist 16 priority 170 fadein 0 fadeout 0
DEFAULT: minpitch .8 maxpitch 1.1 volume -15 probability 1
DEFAULT: distancepriority -1 randomdelay .3  effect_level .6 rndvolume -15 

BANK: unit_confirm

   	
			
; Mediterranean, English, Scottish, German, French, East_European, Arabic, Mongolian				
			
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;  ROMAN   ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;


	accent Mediterranean, English, Scottish, German, French, East_European, Arabic, Mongolian, Quenya ;<<<<<<<<<< new accent
		class General, Heavy
 			event lod 5 minpitch .8 maxpitch 1.0
 			  folder data/sounds/voice/human/generic
 			  Infantry_Group_Confirm_Small_01
 			  Infantry_Group_Confirm_Small_02
 			  Infantry_Group_Confirm_Small_03
 			end
 			
 			event lod 10 minpitch .8 maxpitch 1.0
 			  folder data/sounds/voice/human/generic
 			  Infantry_Group_Confirm_medium_01
 			  Infantry_Group_Confirm_medium_02
 			  Infantry_Group_Confirm_medium_03
 			end
			
			event lod 30 minpitch .8 maxpitch 1.0 
			  folder data/sounds/voice/human/generic
			  Infantry_Group_Confirm_Large_01
			  Infantry_Group_Confirm_Large_02
			  Infantry_Group_Confirm_Large_03
			  Infantry_Group_Confirm_Large_04
			  Infantry_Group_Confirm_Large_05
			  Infantry_Group_Confirm_Large_06
			  		  
			  
			end


				
		class Light
 			event lod 5 minpitch .9 maxpitch 1.05
 			  folder data/sounds/voice/human/generic
 			  Infantry_Group_Confirm_Small_01
 			  Infantry_Group_Confirm_Small_02
 			  Infantry_Group_Confirm_Small_03
 			end
 			
 			event lod 10 minpitch .9 maxpitch 1.05
 			  folder data/sounds/voice/human/generic
 			  Infantry_Group_Confirm_medium_01
 			  Infantry_Group_Confirm_medium_02
 			  Infantry_Group_Confirm_medium_03
 			end
			
			event lod 30 minpitch .9 maxpitch 1.05
			  folder data/sounds/voice/human/generic
			  Infantry_Group_Confirm_Large_01
			  Infantry_Group_Confirm_Large_02
			  Infantry_Group_Confirm_Large_03
			  Infantry_Group_Confirm_Large_04
			  Infantry_Group_Confirm_Large_05
			  Infantry_Group_Confirm_Large_06
			end

Now you've to reflect which existing accent may fit your faction best concerning the generic voices such as moans, yells &c.. In this case the english accent, the one egypt was originaly assigned to, fits best.
When you've decided which original accent you prefer, work yourself through the remaining files and copy the entire section of the original accent. Paste it to the end of the file, but not in the last blank line.
Rename the accent line in order that it fits the name of your newly created accent.
Be careful with all changes of the code!
Always keep the given layout and never change a directory of the soundfiles, but place the soundfiles you want to add into the correct folder.
Here are the examples of how the beginning and the end of the accents should look like.

export_descr_sounds_repbattle: The beginning of the section:

Code:

		 accent Quenya
                  element VNV_OPENING
                           VnV  
                           trait BadCommander
                                    event
                                             folder data/sounds/Voice/Human/Localized/Pre_Battle_Speech
                                                  xEnglish_Intro_1_1.mp3
                                                  xEnglish_Intro_1_2.mp3
                                                  xEnglish_Intro_1_3.mp3
                                    end
                           VnV  
                           trait BadDisciplinarian
                                    event
                                             folder data/sounds/Voice/Human/Localized/Pre_Battle_Speech
                                                  xEnglish_Intro_2_1.mp3
                                    end

The end of the section:

Code:

                           VnV  
                           pri 9
                                    event
                                             folder data/sounds/Voice/Human/Generic
                                                  Cheer01.mp3
                                    end
                           VnV  
                           pri 9
                                    event
                                             folder data/sounds/Voice/Human/Generic
                                                  Cheer02.mp3
                                    end
                           VnV  
                           pri 9
                                    event
                                             folder data/sounds/Voice/Human/Generic
                                                  Cheer01.mp3
                                    end
                           VnV  
                           pri 9
                                    event
                                             folder data/sounds/Voice/Human/Generic
                                                  Cheer02.mp3
                                    end

export_descr_sounds_soldier_voice.txt: The beginning of the section:

Code:

		 accent Quenya
                  class General
                           vocal Individual_Attack_Grunt
                                    event mindist 0.75 priority 120 volume -20 probability .4
                                             folder data/sounds/Voice/Human/Localized/Battle_Map
                                                  English_General_Individual_Attack_Grunt_1.wav
                                                  English_General_Individual_Attack_Grunt_2.wav
                                                  English_General_Individual_Attack_Grunt_3.wav
                                             folder data/sounds/Voice/Human/Generic

The end of the section:

Code:

                           vocal Individual_Battle_Scream
                                    event mindist 2 volume -10 probability .2 priority 100 probradius 10
                                             folder data/sounds/Voice/Human/Localized/Battle_Map
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_01.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_02.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_03.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_04.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_05.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_06.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_07.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_08.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_10.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_11.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_12.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_13.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_14.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_15.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_16.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_17.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_20.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_21.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_23.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_24.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_25.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_26.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_27.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_28.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_29.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_30.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_31.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_32.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_33.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_34.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_35.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_36.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_39.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_40.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_41.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_43.wav
                                                  English_Light_Battle_Scream_44.wav
                                    end

export_descr_sounds_stratmap_voice.txt: The beginning of the section:

Code:

         accent Quenya
                  type Admiral
                           vocal Attacked_Enemy
                                    event
                                             folder data/sounds/Voice/Human/Localized/Camp_Map
                                                  xEnglish_Admiral_Attacked_Enemy_1.mp3
                                                  xEnglish_Admiral_Attacked_Enemy_2.mp3
                                                  xEnglish_Admiral_Attacked_Enemy_3.mp3
                                    end
                           vocal Attacking
                                    event
                                             folder data/sounds/Voice/Human/Localized/Camp_Map
                                                  HE_Attack_Enemy01.mp3
												  HE_Attack_Enemy02.mp3
                                    end

The end of the section:

Code:

                  type Witch
                           vocal Death_Cry
                                    event delay 0
                                             folder data/sounds/Voice/Human/Localized/Camp_Map
                                                  English_Witch_Death_Cry_1.mp3
                                                  English_Witch_Death_Cry_2.mp3
                                                  English_Witch_Death_Cry_3.mp3
                                    end
                           vocal Select_Enemy
                                    event
                                             folder data/sounds/Voice/Human/Localized/Camp_Map
                                                  English_Witch_Select_Neutral_1.mp3
                                                  English_Witch_Select_Neutral_2.mp3
                                                  English_Witch_Select_Neutral_3.mp3
                                    end

export_descr_sounds_units_battle_events.txt: The beginning of the section:

Code:

         accent Quenya
                  notification Allied_Army_Leader_Killed 1
                           event
                                    folder data/sounds/Voice/Human/Localized/Battle_Events
                                    xEnglish_Allied_Army_Leader_Killed_1.mp3
                           end
                  notification Allied_Army_Leader_Killed 2
                           event
                                    folder data/sounds/Voice/Human/Localized/Battle_Events
                                    xEnglish_Allied_Army_Leader_Killed_2.mp3
                           end

The end of the section:

Code:

                  notification Player_Engine_Unmanned 1
                           event
                                    folder data/sounds/Voice/Human/Localized/Battle_Events
                                    xEnglish_Player_Engine_Unmanned_1.mp3
                           end
                  notification Player_Engine_Unmanned 2
                           event
                                    folder data/sounds/Voice/Human/Localized/Battle_Events
                                    xEnglish_Player_Engine_Unmanned_2.mp3
                           end

export_descr_sounds_units_voice.txt: The beginning of the section:

Code:

		 accent Quenya
                  class General
                           vocal Group_Created
                                    event 
                                             folder data/sounds/Voice/Human/Localized/Battle_Map
                                                  English_General_Group_Created_1.wav
                                                  English_General_Group_Created_2.wav
                                    end
                           vocal Group_Disbanded
                                    event 
                                             folder data/sounds/Voice/Human/Localized/Battle_Map
                                                  English_General_Group_Disbanded_1.wav
                                                  English_General_Group_Disbanded_2.wav
                                    end

The end of the section:

Code:

                           vocal Unit_State_Phalanx_Off confirm
                                    event 
                                             folder data/sounds/Voice/Human/Localized/Battle_Map
                                                  English_Light_Unit_State_Phalanx_Off_1.wav
                                                  English_Light_Unit_State_Phalanx_Off_2.wav
                                    end
                           vocal Unit_Under_Attack
                                    event 
                                             folder data/sounds/Voice/Human/Localized/Battle_Map
                                                  English_Light_Unit_Under_Attack_1.wav
                                                  English_Light_Unit_Under_Attack_2.wav
                                    end

diplomacy.txt The beginning of the section:

Code:

{DRT_QUENYA_ACCEPT_BRIBE}*any given text you like*
{DRT_QUENYA_ACCEPT_BUY_VOTE}*any given text you like*
{DRT_QUENYA_ACCEPT_COUNTER}*any given text you like*

The end of the section:

Code:

{DRT_QUENYA_SELL_VOTE}*any given text you like*
{DRT_QUENYA_THREAT}*any given text you like*
{DRT_QUENYA_TRADE}*any given text you like*

diplomacy_speech.txt The beginning of the section:

Code:

{xQuenya_Diplomat_Intro_Demeanour_Neutral_1}
*any given text you like*

{Quenya_Diplomat_Intro_Demeanour_Neutral_2}
*any given text you like*

The end of the section:

Code:

{xQuenya_Princess_Offer_Countered_Open_Positive_2}
*any given text you like*

{Quenya_Princess_Offer_Countered_Open_Positive_3}
*any given text you like*

Take note that the Syntax in the diplomacy_speech.txt is like follows:

Code:

{Name_of_the_soundfile_used_in_export_descr_sounds_stratmap_voice.txt_without.mp3}

That's basically all you need to do to add a new accent to the game. But till now our new accent is nothing else than a copy of the preexisting english accent.

recording: Now we're going to add newly recorded voices to our accent.
Of course, you have to record your voices first.
I recommend to always record in .mp3 format first regardless whether you might want to add strat map or battle map voices.
Take note that CA most of the times, but not always, uses a simple "x" to distinguish .wav (battle map) from .mp3 (strat map) voices (x_name.mp3 vs. name.wav) as a starter for the filename.
The final format of the voices in order that they are heared ingame must be:

strat map voices MUST be .mp3 format!
battle map voices MUST be .wav format 352kbit/s and MUST be recorded or converted in 16bit mono 22.050 Hz!

I suggest to use a mp3 to wav converter, which are freeware and can be found in the net, to convert your original recording to wav and to level your voices on the one hand, to get rid of possible background noises on the other hand.

When you've finished your recording, you have to place the files in the right directory. The directory it needs to be placed in can be found in the code of the sound files (see above).

Now that you've recorded your voices, made sure they are in the correct format and palced them in the corresponding directories, it's about time to code them into the corresponding files.

If all the coding and recording is done, you should backup your Voice.idx and Voice.dat as well as your events.idx and events.dat.
Delete the Voice.idx, Voice.dat, events.idx and events.dat and start your game.
The game will now recreate those files. While the spalsh screen is up, hit the escape button twice.
When your loading screen pops up you should here a short sound, if you can here it, that's an idicator that the files have been successfully recreated and that no further problems should arise.

Basically, we're done now

Enjoy modding

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