Music Pack Workflow

Music Pack Workflow

This page explains the recommended workflow for creating and maintaining a Space Engineers music pack for NordVader Synced Music Player.

Goal

The goal is to create a music pack that the player block can browse like this:

Artist
  Album
    Track

This structure makes the terminal UI readable and keeps large music libraries manageable.

Prepare source files

Before importing, it helps to keep source music files organized.

Recommended source layout:

Source Music/
  Artist Name/
    Album Name/
      Track Name.mp3
      Track Name.wav

The tool can also process flat file names like:

Artist - Track.mp3
Artist - Track.wav

When possible, use real artist, album, and title metadata.

Clean track names

Track titles should be clean.

Correct:

Title: Track Name

Avoid:

Title: Artist - Track Name
Title: Track Name (Official Video)
Title: 01 - Artist - Track Name - YouTube Rip

Use rename tools inside SEMusicBoxMaker to clean names before publishing.

The generated music pack should use this structure:

Audio/
  Artist Name/
    Album Name/
      Track Name.xwm

This structure is easier to inspect and easier to maintain.

Refresh pack data after changes

Refresh music pack data after:

  • adding tracks;
  • deleting tracks;
  • renaming tracks;
  • renaming artists;
  • renaming albums;
  • moving tracks between albums;
  • changing the thumbnail;
  • preparing a Workshop update.

Refreshing pack data keeps the sound definitions and library metadata aligned.

Test before publishing

Always test the music pack before publishing or updating Steam Workshop.

Check:

  • the pack loads in the world mod list;
  • the player block sees the pack;
  • artists appear;
  • albums appear;
  • tracks appear;
  • selected tracks play;
  • the thumbnail is visible in the local mod list or Workshop item.

Keep packs focused

A focused music pack is easier to browse than one huge mixed library.

Good pack ideas:

  • one artist collection;
  • one genre collection;
  • one server radio pack;
  • one event playlist;
  • one faction-themed music pack.

Next steps