Introduction

The FromUri method games to create songs from a regular song file (such as .mp3) rather than relying on the Content Pipeline. If you are simply interested in playing a song, the easiest way to load and play a song is through Glue, as explained on this page. The FromUri method requires writing code.

The FromUri method provides the following benefits:

1. Does not require the usage of the Content Pipeline when loading songs in code.

2. Does not require adding content to the Visual Studio project, which is important if your project does not ship with all of the content it will use. Games which allow downloading DLC or modding will want to use the FromUri method. Furthermore, audio may be downloaded after a game is installed on Android to fit within the current 50 megabyte .apk limit.

Code Example

Using the FromUri code requires loading a Song in custom code (as oppose to using Glue code to load the file). Song files which are loaded with FromUri can be added as follows:

• Glue files can be loaded, but they must have their LoadedAtRuntime value set to false. For more information, see the LoadedAtRuntime page.

• Files can be added manually to the Visual Studio/Xamarin Studio project manually.

• Files can be added by the project itself, such as by unzipping a file or downloading a file from the Internet.

Once the file is available by the project, it can be loaded as follows:

string songFileName = @"content/SongName.mp3";
var uri = new Uri(songFileName, UriKind.Relative);
var song = Song.FromUri("SongName", uri);

// The song should be added to the ContentManager disposable list so that it is unloaded
// when the screen is unloaded:
FlatRedBallServices.AddDisposable(songFileName, song, this.ContentManagerName);

// Finally, the song can be played with the PlaySong method:
bool isGlobalContent = this.ContentManagerName == FlatRedBallServices.GlobalContentManager;
FlatRedBall.Audio.AudioManager.PlaySong(song, false, isGlobalContent);

FlatRedBall Android

The FromUri method as implemented in MonoGame 3.4 includes a bug requiring a workaround:

http://community.monogame.net/t/solved-how-can-i-play-a-mp3-file-from-file-outside-of-the-content-folder/2687/9

Introduction

The Song class can be used to play music in a game. The easiest way to play a song is through Glue, which requires no code. For more information on Songs in Glue, see this page.

Supported File Types

WAV files are not supported in FlatRedBall for music files. Instead, they are used by the SoundEffect and SoundEffectInstance classes.

Example - Glue

To play a song in Glue, drag+drop a file from disk into your Glue project on a Screen. It will play automatically when the screen loads. For more information about playing songs in Glue, see the Glue MP3 page.

Example - Manual Visual Studio/Code Loading and Playing

To play a song:

1. Drag a music file (MP3 or WMA) into your project's Content folder through Visual Studio.

2. Add the following code:

Add the following using statements:

using Microsoft.Xna.Framework.Media;

Add the following to Initialize after initializing FlatRedBall:

string contentManagerName = "ContentManager";
Song song = 
   FlatRedBallServices.Load<Song>(@"Content/mySongWithoutExtension", contentManagerName);
Microsoft.Xna.Framework.Media.MediaPlayer.Play(song);

This code uses the Content Pipeline: Notice that when this file is loaded you do not include the extension. This is because the file needs to be added to your project using the Content Pipeline. For more information on what the Content Pipeline is, see this link.

Troubleshooting

Song playback failed. Please verify that the song is not DRM protected. DRM protected songs are not supported for creator games.

This error can occur in a number of cases:

• If you're using a WMA/MP3 with DRM

• If Windows Media Player is not installed on the computer running the game

1. Open Control Panel

2. Select Programs and Features

3. Turn windows features on or off

4. Expand Media Features

5. Make sure Windows Media Player is selected

OGG song does not play (is silent)

Android

Supported File Types

• OGG

This is dependent on the Android phone. Just because it plays on one phone doesn't mean it will play on another. If the phone doesn't have the codec, it will return a

Java.IO.IOException: Exception of type 'Java.IO.IOException' was thrown.

Song Members

• FromUri

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