User-Friendly Interface:
Easy Setup: SoundKey is designed to be simple to set up and use, even for those with minimal technical experience. Once you've installed the script and placed your audio files in the specified directory, you're ready to start.
Customizable Controls: The application is highly customizable, allowing you to adapt the keyboard mappings to suit your preferred layout (e.g., QWERTY, AZERTY). This flexibility ensures that SoundKey can be tailored to meet your specific needs or those of your players.
Flexible Sound Management:
Grouped Sounds: Sounds are organized into groups by theme or category, making it easy to manage and trigger related sounds during your game.
Sequential and Random Playback: Play sounds in the order they’re listed, or mix things up with random playback (upcoming feature), adding unpredictability to your game’s soundscape.
Looping and Stacking: Need a sound to loop continuously? Or perhaps you want to layer multiple sounds for a richer effect? SoundKey supports both, giving you full control over your game’s auditory environment.
Ease of Use During Gameplay:
Special Key Functions: With just a few key presses, you can start, stop, or loop sounds. The Escape key provides an instant mute, while F1 lets you review your sound mappings, ensuring you always know which keys control which effects.
Visual Aids: To make it even easier, you can place small Post-it notes on your keyboard keys, each representing a specific sound or sound group. This visual aid simplifies the process of finding the right sound effect in the heat of the moment, making it perfect for game masters who want to stay focused on the game rather than the technology.
Designed for Game Masters:
Tailored for Immersive Gaming: Originally created to enhance the experience of playing "Les Loups-garous de Thiercelieux," SoundKey is perfect for any game that benefits from an immersive sound environment. Whether you're running a tabletop RPG, hosting a murder mystery party, or simply want to add a professional touch to your home gaming sessions, SoundKey is your ideal companion.
Versatile Beyond Gaming:
Wide Range of Uses: While SoundKey shines in gaming, its applications extend beyond that. It can be used in interactive audio projects, educational settings, or even live performances where precise sound control is required.
Using SoundKey:
No Special Equipment Needed: All you need is a standard Windows PC with PowerShell and your sound files. There's no need for expensive hardware or complicated software.
Quick Learning Curve: The intuitive setup and control system means you'll be up and running in no time. Even if you're new to PowerShell or sound management, SoundKey’s straightforward design ensures a smooth experience.
Easy Customization: With SoundKey's flexibility, you can adjust the settings to perfectly match your way of managing sounds, whether it's changing the key layout or modifying how sounds are triggered.
SoundKey is a tool designed to enrich the experience of tabletop games, especially narrative and immersive games like "Les Loups-garous de Thiercelieux." With its ease of use and customization options, it is accessible to all game masters looking to add a sound dimension to their sessions.
Control Sounds:
Press designated keys to play or stop sounds based on their configurations.
Use special keys to manage playback:
Escape (Esc) - Immediately stop all sounds.
F1 - Show the current sound table.
F2 - Toggle looping of the current sound.
F3 - Toggle stacking (parallel playback) of sounds.
Delete - Stop all sounds and exit the script.
SoundKey requires that your sound files are organized and named in a specific way to ensure seamless integration and easy access during gameplay. Below is a detailed explanation of the naming convention and a step-by-step guide on how to prepare your sound files for use with SoundKey.
Naming Convention Overview
Your sound files should be named following the pattern XXX_name (Y).wav or XXX_name (Y).mp3, where:
XXX: A three-digit identifier that determines the order in which sound groups are accessed via the keyboard. This identifier is crucial because it dictates the sequence in which SoundKey will recognize and assign the sounds to specific keys.
name: A descriptive name of the sound list. This is typically the thematic name of the sound group, such as "Howl", "Village", or "Nightfall", which gives you a clear understanding of what the sound group represents.
(Y): The index number within the sound group that determines the order of the sounds when played. The index should start at 1 and increase sequentially for each additional sound in the group.
Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Sound Files
Organize Your Sound Files:
Start by grouping your sound files according to the themes or sound effects you want to use during the game. For example, if you’re playing "Les Loups-garous de Thiercelieux", you might have groups like "Howl", "Village", "Nightfall", etc.
Assign Identifiers and Names:
For each group, assign a unique three-digit identifier (XXX). This identifier will determine the order in which these groups are mapped to the keyboard keys.
Choose a descriptive name for each group. This name should be something that immediately tells you what the sounds in the group represent.
Number the Sounds Within Each Group:
Each sound in a group should be numbered sequentially starting from 1. This number will determine the order in which the sounds are played within that group.
Rename Your Files:
Rename your files following the format XXX_name (Y).wav or XXX_name (Y).mp3.
Here’s how to do it:
Example 1: Howl Sounds
You have a group of wolf howling sounds that you want to use. You decide to assign the identifier 001 to this group.
Rename the files as follows:
001_Howl (1).wav - First sound in the 'Howl' sound group.
001_Howl (2).wav - Second sound in the 'Howl' sound group.
001_Howl (3).wav - Third sound in the 'Howl' sound group.
Example 2: Village Ambience
For ambient sounds of a village, you assign the identifier 002.
Rename the files as follows:
002_Village (1).mp3 - First sound in the 'Village' sound group.
002_Village (2).mp3 - Second sound in the 'Village' sound group (e.g., birds chirping).
002_Village (3).mp3 - Third sound in the 'Village' sound group (e.g., a market sound).
Example 3: Nightfall Effects
For sounds representing nightfall, assign the identifier 003.
Rename the files as follows:
003_Nightfall (1).wav - First sound in the 'Nightfall' sound group (e.g., crickets).
003_Nightfall (2).wav - Second sound in the 'Nightfall' sound group (e.g., an owl hooting).
003_Nightfall (3).wav - Third sound in the 'Nightfall' sound group (e.g., distant thunder).
Place the Files in the Designated Directory:
Once your files are properly named, place them in a directory that you can easily access from PowerShell.
For example, you might use a folder called C:\SoundKey\Sounds.
Run the SoundKey Script:
Open PowerShell and navigate to the directory where you’ve saved the SoundKey script.
Run the script with the directory path that contains your sound files:
powershell
Copier le code
./SoundKey.ps1 -directoryPath "C:\SoundKey\Sounds"
Check Your SoundTable:
After the script runs, use the F1 key to display the sound table, which will show you the mapping of your sound groups to the keyboard keys. This is useful for verifying that everything is correctly set up.
Test the Sounds:
Press the assigned keys to play the sounds. Ensure that they play in the correct order and that all the sounds are correctly mapped.
Tips for Best Results
Keep Names Descriptive but Concise: This helps you quickly identify the sounds during gameplay.
Organize by Priority: Assign lower numbers (001, 002, etc.) to the sound groups you’ll use most frequently.
Double-Check Your Files: Before running the script, make sure that all your files follow the naming convention exactly to avoid any issues with sound mapping.
By following these steps, you’ll ensure that SoundKey operates smoothly, allowing you to focus on creating an immersive and engaging gaming experience for your players. Whether you’re using it for a single game session or as a permanent tool in your gaming toolkit, proper organization and naming of your sound files is key to getting the most out of SoundKey.
SoundKey for Developers
SoundKey isn’t just a powerful tool for game masters; it’s also a flexible and extensible solution for developers looking to integrate sound control into their projects, whether for games, interactive applications, or artistic installations.
Why SoundKey Appeals to Developers
Ease of Integration:
SoundKey is a PowerShell script, making it easy to integrate into Windows environments. Developers can easily adapt the code to meet specific needs, whether it’s modifying keyboard mappings or adding new features.
Advanced Customization:
With its modular structure, SoundKey allows developers to quickly adjust existing functionalities or add new ones. For example, if you need more precise control over sound effects in an interactive project, SoundKey provides a solid foundation to build upon.
Open Source and Collaborative:
SoundKey is available as an open-source project on GitHub, allowing developers to contribute to the code, submit suggestions, or use the software as a base for their own projects.
Access SoundKey on GitHub
The source code for SoundKey is available on GitHub, where you can access the project, clone it, or fork it to adapt it to your specific needs. The community around SoundKey is growing, and contributions are welcome to improve and extend the application's features.
GitHub Link: SoundKey on GitHub
Features for Developers
Modularity: SoundKey is designed to be modular, allowing developers to easily modify or extend existing functionalities.
Documentation: The code is well-documented, making it easy to understand and get started with for developers who want to use or modify it.
Open Contributions: Developers are encouraged to participate in the project by submitting pull requests or opening issues to discuss potential improvements.
How to Contribute
Fork the Project:
Go to the SoundKey GitHub page and click "Fork" to create your own version of the project.
Clone the Repository:
Clone the repository to your local machine to start working on it:
bash
Copier le code
git clone https://github.com/phenix32/SoundKey.git
Propose Enhancements:
Make your changes to the code, test them, and submit a pull request to have your improvements reviewed and potentially integrated into the main project.
Using SoundKey in Your Projects
Whether you’re working on a game, an educational application, or an interactive project, SoundKey can serve as a useful base for managing sound effects via keyboard inputs. Its simple integration, combined with its flexibility, makes it an excellent choice for developers looking to enhance the user experience with sound.
Join the SoundKey community on GitHub and contribute to the evolution of this project while leveraging its flexibility for your own developments.