[ABANDONED] How to Play Music via Mic | For Source Engine games w/o HLDJ

PLEASE CONSIDER THIS GUIDE AS ABANDONED, HOWEVER THE GUIDE STILL WORKS.

0. Please do read this section first

DISCLAIMER

IF ANYTHING BAD IN GAME HAPPENS TO YOU AFTER YOU FOLLOW MY GUIDE (E.G. BANNED/KICKED FOR MIC SPAMMING), IT IS YOURS, AND NOT, I REPEAT, NOT MY RESPONBILITY TO DEAL WITH SUCH THINGS.

IT'S HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU GO THROUGH THE VOICEMEETER ROUTE, SINCE THERE'S MUCH MORE ADVANTAGE THAN JUST USING VIRTUAL CABLE ONLY.

UPDATE: I have added Voicemeeter (also from VB-Audio) into the guide as a section. From now on for each program it will be a section by itself and anything about it will be subsections.

Confused? Let's take what this guide first started with: virtual audio cable program. Each sections that is about it will be it's subsections. E.g. section 2 will now be 1-2.

What you'll need

• Any media players that allows you to change audio output device. (EXTREMELY IMPORTANT) (e.g. VLC, Winamp)
  - In this case, VLC player.
  
• Windows: Notepad++
  - You can choose not to use it and opt for Windows' built-in Notepad, but Notepad++ is better, you should already have it in your computer.
  - Both Mac and Linux have pretty decent built-in text editors, so no recommendations here.

1. Virtual audio cable softwares

• Windows: VB-Cable | http://vb-audio.pagesperso-orange.fr/Cable/VirtualCables.htm
  - Unless you want the second virtual cable, you no need to donate to download it.
  
• For Mac and Linux, please recommend me one.

2. Voicemeeter (Windows only) | http://vb-audio.pagesperso-orange.fr/Voicemeeter/index.htm

!!! IF YOU DECIDE TO INSTALL VOICEMEETER YOU MUST INSTALL VB-CABLE AS WELL TO BE ABLE TO USE YOUR MIC AND PLAY MUSIC SIMULATENOUSLY !!!

COMPACTIBLE GAME LIST:

• Almost all Source games from Valve (NOT GoldSrc)

0-1. Comparasion for softwares/drivers used to play music

Virtual audio cable softwares (Windows, Mac and Linux) (Specifically VB-Cable)

• PRO(S)
  - It's isolated from your default output device (e.g. speaker, headphone), which means you can play music through it while not requiring you to turn off any sounds.
  
• CON(S)
  - You need to install it as a driver. (Not really a disadvantage at all)
  - You need to constantly switch to between the game and the music player if you want to play certain music. (Unless you have set up a playlist and make the media player repeat the playlist)

Stereo mix (Windows)

• PRO(S)
  - You no need to install any other programs (except media player) for it to work, as it's built into Windows.
  
• CON(S)
  - It basically loop back your default output device (e.g. speaker, headphone), which also means that you NEED to turn off all other sounds for people to not hear anything outside what you play on your media player, INCLUDING YOUR GAME SOUND.
  - You need to constantly switch to between the game and the music player if you want to play certain music. (Unless you have set up a playlist and make the media player repeat the playlist)

Voicemeeter (From VB-Audio)

• PRO(S)
  - You can use both the virtual audio cable driver AND your microphone simulatenously while not affecting each others.
  
• CON(S)
  - If you don't know how it works it's kinda hard to set up. (Which this guide also aim to cover and simplify the process for you)
  - You need to constantly switch to between the game and the music player if you want to play certain music. (Unless you have set up a playlist and make the media player repeat the playlist)
  - Beside this, you might need to keep the Voicemeeter control panel open as well to prevent your mic disturbing the music you are playing over.

By this you can see that Voicemeeter is one of, if not the best for ingame DJs to play music, that is if you don't mind switching between the game and media player constantly. (Which you shouldn't IMO)

I will update as soon as I find or/and test the other programs enough.

1. Setting up Voicemeeter

SKIP THIS SECTION IF YOU PREFER TO USE VB-CABLE ONLY INSTEAD

Do read http://vb-audio.pagesperso-orange.fr/Voicemeeter/Voicemeeter_UserManual.pdf if you have problem/don't understand what I said.

After installing Voicemeeter, you should see this:

Before doing anything, you need to click the Menu button at the top right corner of the window and tick "System Tray (Run at Startup)". Don't ask why should we make the program start when turning on computer. You'll know why later.

Anyway, Voicemeeter included a virtual cable just for itself. Let's go to the sound control panel and do some configuration.

To access it, either:

• Check your bottom right corner (aka system tray) for
  
• Search "sound" via Start menu / Search button beside Start button (if you use Win10 and choose to separate them)
  
• Or just go to Control Panel and:
  - View by Category: Hardware and Sound -> Sound
  - View by Large/Small icons: Sound

After that, you will see this:

See the circled part? This is Voicemeeter's included virtual cable. Find it, click on it once and press "Set Default" button. (I don't need to tell you where b/c it's obvious, if you can't find it it's near the bottom of the window)
You also need to do the same thing at Recording tab of Sound window, except that the name is "VoiceMeeter Output" instead.
NOTE: IT'S RECOMMENDED THAT YOU CHANGE THE SETTING TO WHATEVER THAT SUITS YOU AT COMMUNICATIONS TAB.

Now if you know what are we doing right now you may ask "How about the computer sound? How can we listen to it?". No worries! Now go back to Voicemeeter window (we will call it Voicemeeter control panel from now on), you might see this at the right side of the control panel:

Click A1 and choose your speaker / headphone (choose those starting with WDM if possible, as according to the user manual it's low in latency), then voila!

Before you ask me what does that do (if you don't have any idea about it), since Voicemeeter virtual cable is now made default device of the computer, all sounds coming from the computer will be output to it. You set the hardware output at Voicemeeter control panel as your headphone / speaker, which also means that you can hear any sounds produced by your computer as well.

I know I know, you might ask "why all the hassle when it basically do the same thing?" but it is necessary because Voicemeeter will, and I say WILL, make your speaker / headphone exclusive for it's own use. Which also means that if your speaker / headphone is your default device, other than the input you have set on the control panel you can't hear any sounds produced by your computer at all.

Also, depends on your sound setup Voicemeeter virtual cable might or might not sound better than your current sound setup. In my case it is better than my built-in Realtek (whose products are ♥♥♥♥♥♥ to be frank, there's a reason many euthanists recommend getting either a sound card or DAC/AMP combo (that is, if your motherboard/laptop have Realtek sound card built-in)). Voicemeeter even included a simple equalizer for their virtual cable as well so you can adjust it to suit your ears for your pleasure. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Anyway here's another photo that explains how the output at Voicemeeter works (sort of I guess):

In Voicemeeter you can set *two* hardware outputs, as same as hardware input (which is also two, which you also can customize).

Also, did you notice A1 and A2? As shown on the photo, output with prefix A will be your main output, while B is Voicemeeter virtual cable.

You should have noticed the arrows as well. See the buttons at the source of arrows? It's basically buttons that let you set where should it output to.

• RED: A is lit, which means that the virtual input (i.e. your current default device) will be outputted to the main output.
  
• BLUE: B is vice versa; if not obvious enough it means that it's not output to the virtual output, which we made it (if you are yet to, do it NOW) as our default recording device.
  - Which also means that while you use your mic/play music your computer's sound will not be sent through the "mic" via ingame.

Now let's see the input section:

• S button - S means solo, which means if you enable the S button ONLY THOSE WHICH HAVE IT ENABLED WILL PLAY THROUGH THE OUTPUT.
  
• M button - M means mute, pretty self explainatory. If you still don't get it, it mutes the input so it won't play through the output.
  
• Fader - AFAIK it adjust the device's volume or something.
  
• Equaliser/EQ (Virtual Input only) - Adjust the bass, medium/mid and high. Search the web if you really don't get what those means.
  
• Audibility - Self explainatory.
  
• IntelliPan - To be frank I am not really sure about what it does but it seems that it make your voice brighter/dimmer, or higher/lower.

A tip from the user manual: Double click the settings to reset it. E.g. slider and knot.
Basically the hardware input 1 is my physical mic, while the hardware input 2 is VB-Cable. (Yes, it's named VB-Audio Point in Voicemeeter, but WMD and KS both offers low latency so no worries here)

NOTE: Okay guys, I guess this section is basically done for now. Do suggest via comment section.

2. Downloading / Why you should use VB-Cable over VAC

No need to explain, download and install both your preferred music player and VB-Cable / Voicemeeter.

There are reason why I prefer VB-Cable over VAC (not Valve Anti-Cheat, Virtual Audio Cable) which is commonly used by most people.

1. VAC trial version will constantly play "trial" voice over your music, which is annoying to the others who are listening to your music.
   
2. If you choose to buy it, that's 25USD, which you should spend it on other worthwhile things instead as there's a completely free alternative, which is VB-Cable.

Do note that we'll need Notepad++ (or respective OS' built in notepad) to configure CS:S or other Source Engine games.

YOU MUST INSTALL VB-CABLE FIRST IN ORDER TO CONTINUE THE REST OF THE GUIDE.

3. Configuring VLC (or any media players of your choice)

NOTE: The instructions to configure media players other than VLC (on WIndows) should be similar. E.g. "Preferences" in VLC is "Option" in your preferred media player.

NOTE: This guide is also primarily written for Windows. It should be similar for other OS.

WARNING: PICTURES ARE MESSED UP, FOR THIS SECTION EITHER FOLLOW TEXT OR GO TO CS:S SECTION MENTIONED AT GUIDE DESCRIPTION.

After installing and downloading VLC, you should see this (or similar to it):
[picture here]
Now, go to Tools -> Preferences. You should see this (just a note, it's pretty straightforward):
[picture here]
Did you see "Show settings" at the lower left corner of the window? Select "All" and you should see this:
[picture here]
Now, you should also see the search bar at the top left corner. Type "audio output" and choose "Audio" -> "Output modules" -> "DirectX". You will see this at right side:
[picture here]
Click the "Output device" and you should find one that is called "CABLE Input" or something similar.

Now, choose it, save the settings and you should be done.

4. Configuring Source Engine games

NOTE: IF YOU ALREADY HAVE AUTOEXEC.CFG W/ CODE IN IT JUST OPEN THE FILE, ADD THE CODE AND SAVE THE FILE INSTEAD
First, open Notepad++. it should already created a not-yet-saved empty file for you.

Next, type/copy this:

alias voiceon "+voicerecord; bind k voiceoff"
alias voiceoff "-voicerecord; bind k voiceon"
bind "k" "voiceon"

Replace "k" with any keys you would like. Visit here if you want to bind any keys other than characters.

This basically make your voice-chat button into toggle mode instead of push-to-talk mode. You can use it to replace your default voice-chat button, but if you want to use your actual mic you'll need to remember to press again to stop chatting. That's why using any keys other than what your CS:S options binded by default is recommended.

This is actually not my code, it's entirely given by the deleted guide I have said on the guide description.

Now save it as "autoexec.cfg" (which will make it to run each time you run the game, to prevent it from unbinding if you decide to enter it into game console, SO DO NOT SAVE IT AS OTHER NAMES) to <path_to_your_game_directory>\SteamApps\common\<name_of_the_game>\<hl2/if made by Valve, cstrike/csgo/tf2/whatever>\cfg folder.

If you install the game (CS:S) into default Steam directory on WIndows it will be:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Counter-Strike Source\cstrike\cfg

[WINDOWS ONLY] 5. Configuring sound

You should have done the last section, right?

NOTE: SKIP THIS SECTION IF YOU ARE GOING THROUGH VOICEMEETER ROUTE EXCEPT BORDERLESS WINDOW SUBSECTION (I HIGHLY RECOMMEND READING IT).

Now, go to Windows' lower right corner and find the speaker icon, it looks like . Right-click it and click "Recording devices" then you should see this (or similar):

NOTE: f you ever want to switch back to your physical mic, you will need to keep the window open and change it as needed. I currently am unable to find an easier way for changing between devices.

Just in case if anyone ask me how did i display disabled drivers, right click within the device list.

Back to topic, right click "CABLE Output" and click "Set as Default Communication Device".
(In my case, Hi-Fi Cable Output which is also from the same dev as VB-Cable)

Now, go to Steam window and click "Steam" at the upper left corner, then "Settings" -> "Voice" -> "Detect Audio Devices".

So after these things, perhaps you start to wonder "what if people request songs (if you want), you go download it but worry that you won't be able to see other requests while downloading?".

Actually, there is a way to watch people playing/chatting while doing other things on the same screen...

Borderless window

Borderless window is as same as fullscreen, here's a list for both pro, neutral and cons:
PRO(S)

• You no longer need to worry about risk crashing your game while alt-tabbing. (Don't know what is alt-tabbing? See Q&A section below)
  
• For most games it act as a desktop background, that also means that one will be able to watch peoples' gameplay/chat while doing other things simulatenously. (But you do need to resize the other windows in order to do this)

NEUTRAL(S)

• If you use f.lux or similar programs it will affect the game as well when used borderless window. Depends on individual it might be either pro or con. It can be toggled off via f.lux either for 1 hour or until sunrise.
  (The color of the game doesn't really matter for me so I list it as a con as I will have an additional eye-protecting layer plus my Gunner eyeglasses)

As of now I can't think of any cons. You can suggest via comment section if you want.

I'd like to recommend a software for borderless window, Borderless Gaming. It makes most game that do not support borderless window by itself to become one.

You can either download it for free via https://github.com/Codeusa/Borderless-Gaming or buy it on Steam to show support to the devs. (You can disable Steam API in the program too so that your playtime goes directly into your game instead of the software)

http://store.steampowered.com/app/388080/
(Also, see the reviews section, it tells you a lot of advantages about borderless window.

Do note that NOT all games support it (like Dishonored, even when used Borderless Gaming), but fortunately most Source Engine games do as they have built-in support.
(That also means the software is kinda useless at this point unless you want to use it for other games)

Now, please go back to Library and right click your preferred Source game, "Properites" -> "General" -> "Set Launch Options..." and add this:

-window -noborder

This will force the game to be windowed mode while have the window border removed so it feels like fullscreen. IT ONLY WORKS FOR SOURCE ENGINE, UNLESS THE GAME'S ENGINE SOMEHOW SUPPORT THE SAME COMMAND PARAMETERS. (not including Unreal/Unity3D engine AFAIK)

Q: So how can I switch to each windows quickly?

A: Alt + Tab, that's all. Just remember to hold Alt while using Tab to choose what window do you want to switch. And yes, that means you can switch to Winamp quickly and back to game without hassle, just remember to toggle your mic on first if the song you play do not have any delays/the part you don't want to play.

6. WHY CAN'T I LISTEN TO MY MUSIC?

READ THIS IF YOU ARE GOING THROUGH VIRTUAL CABLE ROUTE INSTEAD OF VOICEMEETER ROUTE, OTHERWISE SKIP IT.

Since Windows doesn't allow you to play music to multiple output devices, you are not able to hear the music. But there are at least 3 ways i know of to do this , which are confirmed to work on Windows.

1. Type "voice_loopback 1" into the console, and when you play music it will start to play the music to you ingame. It is what the other players hear.

• Since it's built into Source Engine that means it should work for Mac and Linux as well.
  
• IF YOU EVER THINK THAT THE AUDIO QUALITY IS BAD IT'S NOT YOUR PROBLEM, AS SOURCE ENGINE USED OLD VOICE CODEC (some have been changed to newer codec, e.g. TF2, but not CS:S) WHICH ITSELF OUTPUT RELATIVELY BAD AUDIO QUALITY. (okay if voicechatting, just not suitable enough for playing music)
  
• If you want, you can include it into the autoexec.cfg so every time you launch the game you will be able to hear what you say/play if you use your mic.
  
• Credits to one of my Steam riends who told me this, also in a way my "student" for teaching him to play music.

2. Go to the lower-right corner speaker icon, right click it -> "Recording Device", click "Cable Output" once -> "Properites" at lower right of window -> "Listen" tab -> check "Listen to this device".

• It only works for Windows.
  
• It might or might not work for you, as it happen to me after upgrading to Win10.

THE END | UPDATE LOG

Now you should have been set, enjoy playing/spamming music! :)

As of now the guide should be completed, but please suggest anything you think will be appropriate for this guide, including any topics it involve. Thank you. :)

Beside that, thanks for reading my guide. Hope you will be popular playing ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)（喂喂喂冷静点我是华裔）

HONORABLE MENTIONS (related/unrelated)

• The author of: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=463540816
  Check out the comment section. Even thought he's aware that virtual audio cable exist and stereo mix is basically useless piece of ♥♥♥♥ (yes, for playing music ingame via it), there's basically two people attacking him in a way. Poor guy. :|

UPDATE LOG:

NOTE: ALL TIME WILL BE BASED ON UTF+8 TIMEZONE. (a.k.a Kuala Lumpur)

• December 2, 2015
  6:59
  - Section 3's pics are accidentally replaced by Voicemeeter pictures. All pics from section 3 are removed and added warning on both the guide description and the section.
  6:55PM
  - New content copying (from CS:S section) is complete.
  
• November 20, 2015
  12:47AM
  - Initial release of newer version of the guide. (On CS:GO guide section)

[ngb]

It should.

[menace]

Can Voice Meeter work with AIMP?

[Salem]

could somone explain in more detail waht should be the inputs and outputs for Voicmeeter.

[Tentai]

LIKE LOT'S OF HELP

[Tentai]

HEYYY I NEED HELP

[ngb]

http://vb-audio.pagesperso-orange.fr/Voicemeeter/Voicemeeter_UserManual.pdf
Before I have done the section please do read this for now.

[ngb]

Okay, thanks! :)

[vb]

To know everything on Voicemeeter, there is step by step user manual: http://vb-audio.pagesperso-orange.fr/Voicemeeter/Voicemeeter_UserManual.pdf and many video tutorial on youtube too...

[ngb]

Anyway, last time I tried Voicemeeter and it doesn't work well for me for some reasons. Guess I'll try it again.

[ngb]

IT REALLY IS VB?