Update: I have changed the tool I recommend for MP3 to WMA conversion. I have been using this tool for a long time, and it is just great. No problems at all with it.

Certain games support custom soundtracks, meaning that you can play your own music in the game. You have two options of successfully putting music onto your Xbox to play in a game.

Uploading WMAs to your XBox from your PC
WMA (Windows Media Audio) is the standard music format for soundtracks. You can convert a MP3 to WMA using this program for your PC:

http://www.reseau.org/mp3towma/

After the conversion, you can now upload that WMA to your Xbox using Xbox Soundtrack Editor. You can get it here:

http://dwl.xbox-scene.net/~xbox/xbox-scene...s/xboxst097.zip

With this tool, you can also easily rename song files on your Xbox. For example, ripping a CD (see below) will create rather plain file names.

Copying a CD to the Xbox HD
In the MS dash, there will be the music tab. Hit the tab, and then select Audio CD. In the next menu, you can select "Copy" and then you can select certain songs to your Xbox will rip off the CD onto your Xbox.

Note: Not all Xbox DVDROMS can read burned CDs. If you have a Samsung drive (the one on the far right), it will probably read successfully. Of course, commercial CDs should work fine in all DVDROMS.



If you do not have a Samsung DVDROM, find other means. I suggest getting Audio Grabber for your PC which can rip songs off a CD in your PC:

http://www.audiograbber.com-us.net/download.html

The songs will be in MP3 format when ripped. Now, refer to the above method "Uploading WMAs to your XBox from your PC"

Conclusion
The folder where this music is located is in /E/TDATA/fffe0000/music/. There is a file called ST.DB that maintains the songs in the next folder.

Note: It is much easier to use the above methods to put music onto your HD rather editing this DB file.

- You can not link music files in XBMP to play as custom soundtracks in game. Only the folder in E: is accessed by the Xbox for this.

First of all - if there is a pinned or more-applicable thread for this question (or a main "Xbox soundtrack editing" thread), please send me the link and i'll gladly remove/move my post....

Here goes....
I tried to start using the XBOX Soundtrack Editor () like a madman, but am having trouble getting it work I think.

Here's the basics of my situation so far...

>> When I first tried XSE I had it connect to my xbox, and saw nothing there.

>> I tried to create a new soundtrack (via XSE) but it didn't work.

>> So I created a soundtrack on my XBOX (via xboxdash:music). Tested it by booting up Tiger2004 to make sure the xbox saw the custom soundtrack - and it did. But XSE still doesn't can't see anything when I connect.

I'm not an advanced Evox/Xbox developer/h@cker, but am fairly up-to-speed on standard xbox modding/dashboarding/etc.

Anyhow - my main questions are..
1.) Has anyone else had trouble similar to mine with XSE?

2.) Is there a way (software program or other) to manually edit the ST.DB to "force" the xbox to recognize new albums I just "FTP" in?

If anyone has any ideas/tips/etc it'd be mucho appreciated.... Thanks in advance...

peace out..
- phromello

i tried XSE bout 3 months ago and it worked perfectly. i'm curious as to what version of the MS Xbox dash you have and the version of XSE your using...

I tried this a while ago, but had problems with songs getting abruptly cut off randomly..but I was using a different program to convert files to WMA format..Did the program I was using mess it up, was it the filenames(some had weird boxes) or is it a problem with the sound track editor?

QUOTE (inferno222 @ Oct 29 2003, 12:29 AM)

I tried this a while ago, but had problems with songs getting abruptly cut off randomly..but I was using a different program to convert files to WMA format..Did the program I was using mess it up, was it the filenames(some had weird boxes) or is it a problem with the sound track editor?

It was most likely the conversion tool. I have not a single problem with MP3toWMA.

Long filenames won't even upload to the Xbox.

i think i'm retarded, b/c i can't get it to connect to xbox, ip and everything is right, just won't connect, i can connect w/ Flashfxp fine, just not this program....

I used Soundtrack Editor a few months ago, but it started to mess up the songs. Only half of certain soundtracks would show up in multiple games. Project Gotham and THPS2X would freeze up whenever I went to audio problems. It seems to be easier just to burn the CD-RWs and copy them onto the Xbox.

QUOTE (Bio Retard @ Nov 4 2003, 06:35 AM)

I used Soundtrack Editor a few months ago, but it started to mess up the songs. Only half of certain soundtracks would show up in multiple games. Project Gotham and THPS2X would freeze up whenever I went to audio problems. It seems to be easier just to burn the CD-RWs and copy them onto the Xbox.

True, some people have experienced issues with XSE.

Screw this, wrong method for me to use. It says I'm maxed out 100 songs. And my tdada folder is not how you epxplained. It's actually like this.

/E/TDATA/fffe0000/music/

QUOTE (Codename54 @ Nov 6 2003, 09:44 PM)

Screw this, wrong method for me to use. It says I'm maxed out 100 songs. And my tdada folder is not how you epxplained. It's actually like this. /E/TDATA/fffe0000/music/

I had to edit my post.. and it got rid of my backlashes.. but now this problem is finally gone on the forums

hey shana, i thought u could just use the windows media bonus pack for xp to convert mp3 into wmas. i do it all the time.

I was looking at the filenames and I don't quite understand how the xbox renames the files from a cd. Anyway, does it matter what the filename is when I upload to the fold via ftp?

QUOTE (DuDeR MaN @ Nov 7 2003, 05:23 AM)

I was looking at the filenames and I don't quite understand how the xbox renames the files from a cd. Anyway, does it matter what the filename is when I upload to the fold via ftp?

I am pretty sure it does matter. There is a .DB file in the folder which probably links to the files inside.

Cool. Thanks.

I don't get it man. I converted my mp3s to wma. Then I opened xbox soundtrack editor and connected to my xbox. But I'm stuck, what am I suppose to do next?
Exactly where on the HD should I send my wmas?

QUOTE (Cypress_Ice @ Nov 8 2003, 04:54 PM)

I don't get it man. I converted my mp3s to wma. Then I opened xbox soundtrack editor and connected to my xbox. But I'm stuck, what am I suppose to do next? Exactly where on the HD should I send my wmas?

Right-click in left window.. create soundtrack. Open the new soundtrack.

Right-click in right window.. add track.

thanks man

I have another question...for example SSX 3 has a custom soundtrack function you know?
I want to listen to some of my music...but at the same time I want to listen to the music from SSX3 cuz it owns.
I want to like...just add some of my music to the default ssx 3 soundtrack, but how do I do that? In which folder can I find the ssx 3 soundtrack?

Shanafan, i have figured out how to implement these soundtracks with lyrics! in CDG format, msg me please on IRC

QUOTE (Cypress_Ice @ Nov 9 2003, 03:28 AM)

thanks man I have another question...for example SSX 3 has a custom soundtrack function you know? I want to listen to some of my music...but at the same time I want to listen to the music from SSX3 cuz it owns. I want to like...just add some of my music to the default ssx 3 soundtrack, but how do I do that? In which folder can I find the ssx 3 soundtrack?

Well the thing that you're missing about SSX 3 when they give you a custom playlist is that they never mentioned that you can only create a playlist with the songs from SSX 3.. more or less give you an option to omit songs you don't want to hear and hear songs you like more often

If i'm reading this thread right its the ability to rip your own music only for games that support custom music from your xbox hd. Still as someone said it earlier much easier to burn to CDRW as audio cd and rip it from there or CDR if you're a lucky samsung owner.

QUOTE (EnigmusSnake @ Nov 10 2003, 03:02 PM)

QUOTE (Cypress_Ice @ Nov 9 2003, 03:28 AM) thanks man I have another question...for example SSX 3 has a custom soundtrack function you know? I want to listen to some of my music...but at the same time I want to listen to the music from SSX3 cuz it owns. I want to like...just add some of my music to the default ssx 3 soundtrack, but how do I do that? In which folder can I find the ssx 3 soundtrack? Well the thing that you're missing about SSX 3 when they give you a custom playlist is that they never mentioned that you can only create a playlist with the songs from SSX 3.. more or less give you an option to omit songs you don't want to hear and hear songs you like more often

I don't really understand. You mean that I only can listen to the music that is included in SSX 3? Not my own?

pretty much.. no way to be able to play your own music.

QUOTE (EnigmusSnake @ Nov 10 2003, 09:04 AM)

If i'm reading this thread right its the ability to rip your own music only for games that support custom music from your xbox hd. Still as someone said it earlier much easier to burn to CDRW as audio cd and rip it from there or CDR if you're a lucky samsung owner.

Or you can also try CDRW with your Thomson or Philips.

is there still any problem with STE ???
i don't want to mess up with the audio folder.
thanks for ur aswer.

QUOTE (pogopin @ Nov 10 2003, 06:07 PM)

is there still any problem with STE ??? i don't want to mess up with the audio folder. thanks for ur aswer.

There is no problem with it that I came across.. Some people just say the track cuts off in the middle of the track

Issue like that won't damage your Soundtracks folder.

it's an answer that i like.
Thank's shana...

What is the max amount of songs you can put in a custom soundtrack? I had a soundtrack with lots of songs, and hten I went to add a bunch more and it seemed like the new ones just replaced them all. i.e. for example I'll say I had 80 songs, I tried to add 10 more and I just ended up with 10 songs. Is this right?

I'm having problems with the XBox Soundtrack Editor. I've already converted my mp3s to wav files and I've succesfully connected to my Xbox. I created a new soundtrack in XSE, but after I choose my wav song in the right window, the XSE shuts down automatically. Is there something wrong with XSE?

i have the problem that i fragged my standard dashboard and only the evoX remains. I wasnt the guy who set the whole thing up so i have no clue how to restore it. i still want to include custom tracks though. i have a partition called x and there is a soundtrack folder but so far i wasnt able to add tracks to it... id appreciate help very much

QUOTE (ostraninie @ Nov 16 2003, 12:37 AM)

I'm having problems with the XBox Soundtrack Editor. I've already converted my mp3s to wav files and I've succesfully connected to my Xbox. I created a new soundtrack in XSE, but after I choose my wav song in the right window, the XSE shuts down automatically. Is there something wrong with XSE?

you need to convert the song to WMA... not WAV

i haven't had a problem yet with XSE and it sure beats the year and a half it takes to rip the music from a cd.

wow. over a month later and someone responds. not like i been waiting all this time, but thanks dude. i'll give it another try. wma, not wav ... i shoulda known

Thanks alot Shanafan, nice little tut. Knocked it out in about ten minutes. Now enjoying the cool sounds of The Unicorns.

Sorry if this has been asked before but I've ripped a track to the xbox (using the official Xbox dashboard tool). I'm now trying to play this track on my copy of PGR2 (backed up on the hard drive) and it just doesn't play.

Is there a problem with modded xbox's playing back ups with a custom soundtrack? Do you need to play your game with the mod chip turned off?

Thanks in advance!

I can play the track on the MS dashboard but not through XBMC (Can't access the TDATA folder - Gives an error message). When I try to play it through PGR2 there's just silence.

bump

Can anyone help??

Is there a problem with playing your own soundtracks whilst playing backed up games?

Just a thought - is it possible to burn a load of songs on a dvdrw and use that to create a soundtrack?

Love custom soundtracks - it's beginning to dictate what games I play

Amped 2 over SS3
&
PGR2 over NFS Underground

Tony Hawk Underground uber alles:)

I can't seem to get this custom soundtrack thing to work. I got all of the software mentioned in the tutorial. I convereted my mp3s to wma format. I got xbox soundtrack editor. I open it, created/name a soundtrack. I then right click and the only options i see are add soundtrack, remove soundtrack and rename soundtrack (im connected to my xbox through soundtrack editor at this point). I clicked everywhere on the screen and it doesnt give me the option to add files. What is going on?

how do you load custom soundtracks for counter strike for the levels? i got the intro to work but dont know where to put the file for the leavels,any tips?

Although that MP3 to WMA conversion tool is pretty cool, it is a little outdated with the WMA8 format. The Xbox Dash player can play WMA9 which now can use VBR encoding. The problem with WMP9 is that it will only allow you to rip from a CD and not convert from WAV or MP3. The WM9 encoding utility will only allow you to convert 1 file at a time. With the WMP9 cd ripper I recommend WMA VBR at one notch under best quality and the WMAstd qvbr90% in the standalone encoder, as both give the best VBR quality that will still play in the Xbox Games (WMA lossless does not work).

Does anyone know where to find a good GUI based WMA9 batch encoder/converter that allows for the use of VBR?

ok people i get everything so far. convert MP3 -----> WMA. Use XSE to transfer these files to xbox. Couldnt You Simply transfer the files in WMA to the destination folder via FTP program such as FLASHXP. For instance uploading a WMA file to the folder TDATA/ffe00000/Music folder. If i transfer the files there VIA this method. it'd be the same thing as using the XSE right? then the game should recognize it. Also What is this about messin wit the ST.DB file in the TDATA/ffe0000/Music folder. do i have to mess with that somehow for the songs to play?

O.k. so I downloaded the soundtrack editor (v0.97), and set it all up. It will connect to my Xbox put I get the message "unable to open soundtrack data." Anyone have an idea what is the problem... do i need to use the MS dash to get a soundtrack file started or what? Thanks in advance for the help, really looking forward to using this great Xbox feature.

My Xbox is modded with an Xecuter 2.3b Lite + and using XBMC as dash.

I get same prob as above, and when i try to make a new soundtrack, it says failed to make new soundtrack and i can't add any songs...

any workarounds to this?

thanks,
dk

Same problem as above two posts, if anyone has any ideas please post your suggestions. I even checked the folder that the soundtracks were suposta' be in and everything was in ord

I think the XSE is buggy.

I just had a problem that somebody posted about on page 2.

I had about 100 songs, loaded 10 more (it only lets you ftp across about 40 or so songs at a time) and then all I could see were the 10 songs and the first 90 or so were gone.

This program is buggy.

I'm just gonna ftp it over and see if I can just make folders under my music folder.

Just tried the ftp thing. It's a no go. I guess you can't make a folder in the same folder that the music gets ripped into (if your ripping from a cd) .

I mean, you can play from XBMC, but I dont think you can from inside a game.

Wow nice thread :thumbup: I learned from this thread.

Well my problem with Xbox Soundtrack Editor is i can't connect to my Xbox.

I enter my IP address,Username, and Password and when i press "ok"
The bottom right box says "connection failed" I checked my IP and my username with password and i typed them right.

Anybody having problems Connecting to your Xbox with XSE?

i have the same problem, it says cannot load soundtrack data and i am unable to create anything or add tracks.

i started with a blank hd and used an installer, and i haven't used the stock dash at all.. so i guess there is a dir or file i need to set up. but does anyone know what it is?

Xbox Soundtrack Editor does not work...

Virtual Xbox CD Ripper does not work...