Introduction

This small mod for Baldur's Gate repairs various sound files in the game which suffer from audible compression artifacts or some degree of clipping. The original spell casting voices are especially affected and often unpleasant to listen to.

There are a few additional components, all of which attempt to improve the sonic experience of the game. Naturally, the mod is aimed at the enthusiasts of Baldur's Gate who still prefer to play the game as it was originally designed.

Note: This mod is only posted in the Baldur's Gate II section, as Spellhold Studios does not currently have an appropriate category for Baldur's Gate.

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Compatibility

This is a WeiDU mod, which basically means it is intended to be compatible with most other available mods (WeiDU.org).

Note: No spell or area files are overwritten during the installation process; this mod only patches the existing spell and area files to change sound effects. If any other mod overwrites the patched files, these changes will be lost. Therefore, it is best to install Sounds of the Sword Coast after any other mod which introduces new spells or makes changes to the existing ones.

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Installation

Install Sounds of the Sword Coast just like any other WeiDU mod: extract the file "Setup-!BSotSC.exe" and the folder "!BSotSC" to your main Baldur's Gate directory. Then run "Setup-!BSotSC.exe" and follow the prompts to install each individual component.

To uninstall the mod, simply run "Setup-!BSotSC.exe" again and follow the prompts just like during the installation.

Note: You can install any of the available components independently.

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Components

Repaired Spell Casting Sound Effects

This is the main component which contains fixed audio files for all the damaged spell casting voices and sound effects.

Consistent Spell Casting Sound Effects

This component brings more consistency to many spells which awkwardly use sound effects reserved for other spell casting schools. Notably, it patches spell expiration sound effects to match their appropriate schools.

In addition, the component corrects minor slips in spell casting schools and sound effect parameters, as well as restoring a few spell casting sound effects which were most probably disabled due to typing errors.

Restored Missing Ambient Sound Effects

Several areas in the game have invalid or no ambient resources. This component patches the areas to use proper ambient sound effects.

Tweaked Bow Combat Sound Effects

These are modified bow draw and release sound effects which match the speed of the original combat animations slightly better.

Alternate Chunked Death Sound Effect (Gore)

This is an alternate version of the "chunked death" sound effect intended for those of a more... sadistic inclination. Splatter!

Mute Tooltip Paper Sound Effect

Some people quickly get fed up with the paper-like sound played when tooltips roll out on the screen. Burn it. Now.

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Versions

v2.4

Included a neat HTML readme.
Prevented a potential compatibility issue with the adjusted sound effect parameters.
Removed invalid or non-existent bird sound effects from the affected ambients.
Further reduced the volume of the added day/night ambients.

v2.3

Improved the code to keep up with the standards.
Merged all the separate spell patches into one component: "Consistent Spell Casting Sound Effects."
Corrected the spell casting schools of Friends, Flame Arrow and Shadow Door.
Adjusted the sound effect parameters of the innate Protection from Evil and Larloch's Minor Drain.
Added day/night ambients to Tenya's house, Aldeth's lodge, the fishing village, the farmlands, the High Hedge cabin, Cloakwood Mines ground and the treehouse.
Restored the spell casting sound effect of Dryad Teleport (Dimension Door used by certain NPCs).
Swapped the existing horse ambients for slightly more appropriate variants, reduced their playback volume and added some pitch/vol variance.
Higher compatibility due to smart patching methods.
Minor volume tweaks to the repaired audio files.

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