I have metrowerks codewarrior learning addition for the AP Comp Sci classes. I am trying to add sound to my project. I have figured a few things out just by looking on the internet but I am still having some difficulty. Here is what I have so far:
#include <windows.h>
#include <mmsystem.h>
//I also have the winmm.lib included in the project
int main()
{
//blah...do some stuff unrelated to sound
PlaySound("C:\Games\Sounds
}
Now, the reason that I have this command is because I was looking at a bunch of old questions on this site. I looked through the mmsystem header and tried to make some sense of it but I had difficulty. I am not sure why the NULL needs to be here or what it does. When I do compile the program I hear a sound but it is simply the windows ding sound or char(7). Why am I not hearing the wav file? Also, please explain how this function works, ie what the params do etc. Thanks
dgal
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The NULL indicates that you are loading the WAV file from an actual file on disk as opposed to a resource. The alternate method is to add the WAV to your app's resource file, give it an ID, say IDR_WAVE_BANG or whatever, and call the function like this:
PlaySound( IDR_WAVE_BANG, GetModuleHandle( NULL ), SND_RESOURCE | SND_ASYNC );
Something like that.
Drawback to using the resource version is that the whole app must be rebuilt if you change the sound and that your executable size goes up (since it gets added to your exe).
As to why you get the windows ding instead: because the system couldn't find the WAV file that you specified in the directory you sepcified OR in the search path. Make sure the file exists where you say (also, make sure that the string is correct: ie above should be "c:\\games\\sounds\\bang.w
For playing mp3, you need to use a third-party library (can't think of any free ones, try a web search), or roll your own decode routines (not a trivial task!!!).
Hope this helps!
The problem is that you got the file name wrong, as zechis said. You need to use '\\' for each backslash.
For documentation on hte function: http://msdn.microsoft.com/
The SND_ASYNC flag that you passed in the third parameter tells PlaySound() to return right after starting the sound and not to wait for it to finish. So to play another song at the 'same time', just call PlaySound() again.
If you were to specify SND_SYNC, PlaySound() would not return until the wav finished playing. That's probably why they don't let you use SND_LOOP with SND_SYNC: because you could hang the process because Playsound would never return!
I used 'same time' in quotes above because you really aren't playing the sound at exactly the same time. There is some overhead involved (loading the file, etc.) which could slow down the start of the second, so they would be a bit out of step. [of course, you could use this to your advantage: by playing the same sound, you would get an echoing effect!]
If you truly want to play sounds with that much precision though, use DirectSound.
I tried doing that but it does not work. Here is the code that I have:
PlaySound("C:\\Games\\Soun
PlaySound("C:\\Games\\Soun
I want bang.wav in a loop in the back and I want effect.wav to be played once in front of bang but still have bang play. Instead, I only hear one instance of effect.wav. However, I did compile it several times trying several things and once when I had this exact code, I heard bang for a split second then effect.wav took over. I think that bang.wav is getting cut off. Any ideas? Thanks.
dgal
Oops, I forgot that PlaySound can't mix waveforms. I think it uses a single buffer, so when you load a new sound, it replaces the first. I have been using DirectSound (now DirectAudio) for a while now and forgot all of the standard API function peculiarities. Hmm, try the MCI functions if you can't use DS/DA, but DirectAudio is the way to go.
As for DirectSound: it is part of the DirectX API that gives apps direct access to the hardware while still keeping it at a high enough level that the app doesn't care which hardware is attached. DirectSound is the part of the API that deals with sound. There is also a DirectGraphics, DirectInput, DirectPlay, etc.
Perhaps it can be explained better here: www.microsoft.com/directx
If you look at this site and still have questions, let me know. It actually is a lot easier than it looks! The hardest part is downloading the ~120MB SDK you need to develop DirectX apps :)
If I end up using directx's sound stuff, could I still use my regular ide etc and just include some file? Is there any chance that you could point me straight to the sdk? As for the download, that wont be a problem since my school is connected on dual t1. Is this sdk free? If not, do you know of any headers etc that I can use that are free? Thanks/
You should be able to continue using your IDE, unless it has problems linking ms format libraries or reading ms header files (this is quite possible actually, the win32 sdk that came with your compiler may have been tailored for it).
No new things really, just like you added winmm.lib you have to add the directx libraries, and just like you included mmsystem.h you must include a couple of the directx headers.
As to the functions and the implementation, check out the sample apps in the sdk, there's quite a few but the help file is pretty good. Start with the small ones and the tutorials. I know it doesn't make much sense but the smallest/easiest tutorial for playing a wav file is in the DirectMusic directory, tutorial #1.
One final note: this may be a bit overkill for what you need to do. The directx API is very powerful (it is used to make most [all?] of the PC video games and mutlimedia programs out there, even DVD players!), and flexible. But with this comes the need to learn a lot of new terms/lingo/etc. If you have a deadline, you may want to skip this and go for the simpler approach, i.e. don't use simultaneous sound effects. Also, if it is for a school project, it is possible the school will not be totally up to date when it comes to running dx8. Dx does require windows 98 or ME, or windows 2000.
But, if you've got the will, the interest, and the time, I can still help. I am better at the graphics portion of directx but I have some old sound code laying around that may be useful!
I think you forgot this question. I will ask Community Support to close it unless you finalize it within 7 days.
Unless there is objection or further activity, I will suggest to accept "zechis" comment(s) as an answer.
The link to the Community Support area is: http://www.experts-exchang
Please do not accept this comment as an answer!
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by: dgalPosted on 2001-02-12 at 14:54:03ID: 5836484
I forgot to mention that I am curious as to how I would play other media types such as mp3. Thanks.