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RakWarrior

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rakwarrior25

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About this mod

This mod aims to make Guard NPC's sound like they are actually wearing a helmet when they are talking. Skyrim SE compatible.

Permissions and credits
Guard Helmet Voice FX by RakWarrior

1/20/2017
Working On Writing an Adaptive Script, Help Greatly Appreciated!
In an effort to keep improving this mod, I have started piecing together some papyrus lines and the overall logic that will go into writing a script that applies Helmet Voice FX in-game as actors and players equip and unequip helmets. If anyone would like to take a look at what I have so far and offer any advice, or if you have any ideas yourself, I would be glad to hear your thoughts! Just hit me up in a direct message or in the comments section.

NEW VERSION AVAILABLE! BUG FIXES v1.2.1
Newest version includes easier installation, covers a LOT more dialogue, and is more elegantly integrated into the game.
*If you are upgrading, remember to uninstall Versions 1.0/1.1 before installing Version 1.2*
*Version 1.2.1 fixes the "What is it?" and "What do you need?" bug. All guards should now have full access to their Voice Files*

Summary
This mod aims to make Guard NPC's sound like they are actually wearing a helmet when they are talking. This is an immersive mod, so it will work best if Guard NPC's have helmets that cover their mouth.

I've always wanted helmet voice effects in Skyrim but it always seemed like a complicated task. Here, I've started with the Guard NPC's because they are the only NPC's in vanilla Skyrim that consistently have on helmets. This is kind of an experimental mod, so please download, provide feedback, and check back regularly for updates!

*This mod also works with Skyrim Special Edition (SE). Just follow the installation instructions but make sure you install the files in your Skyrim SE Directory*




Requirements
No requirements


What This Mod Technically Does:
This mod adds 5,864 edited voice files (as of Version 1.2):
- 2,424 female nord voice files
- 1,060 male guard voice files
- 2,380 male nord commander voice files

Older Version 1.1 includes 67 Male Nord voice files, but these are still REPLACEMENT files, not ADDITIONAL files.


Editing Process
- each voice file has been run through a Low Pass Filter to sound muffled
- added a small Echo effect to give each file an "inside a can" sound
- also applied a 2dB Amplification to counteract being drown-out by ambient noise


Known Issues
  • I released a Bug Fix in the newest file, Version 1.2.1. Version 1.2 is suffers from a bug that limits the dialogue of tons of Guard NPC's to 2 phrases. 
  • There might be a dozen or so voice files that I've missed. I'm hoping to either discover them myself or rely on the help of the community to find them.
  • In rare cases, (in Vanilla Skyrim) some guards will sound like they have a helmet on when they shouldn't. I'll be looking into how to fix this in a Future Update.
  • Ambient noise can make it harder to hear what the guards are saying, specifically running water. 
  • This mod will not cause freezes or crashes (CTD's) but it won't be fully immersive with other mods that alter the vanilla guard helmet or swap it with something that doesn't cover the mouth


Installation

NEWEST VERSION - Version 1.2.1
NMM Istallation
1. download the file "Guard Helmet Voice FX 1.2.1.7z" with the Nexus Mod Manager
2. make sure the mod is enabled in your load order
3. if you'd like, use LOOT or WyreBash to sort the .esp file appropriately
4. voila, you should be all set!

Manual Installation
1. download the file "Guard Helmet Voice FX 1.2.1.7z"
2. extract/unzip the files into your Skyrim or Skyrim Special Edition DATA folder. Here is an example filepath:
ProgramFiles(x86)/Steam/steamapps/common/Skyrim/Data
3. head into Nexus Mod Manager (NMM) and in the Mods tab, click the Big Green + button to "Add Mod from File"
4. find and choose the "Guard Helmet Voice FX 1.2.1.7z" file in your 'downloads' folder
5. make sure the mod is enabled in your load order
6. if you'd like, use LOOT or WyreBash to sort the .esp file appropriately
7.Voila, you should be all set!


OUTDATED VERSIONS - Versions 1.0, 1.1


VERY IMPORTANT: If you already have mods installed that modify voice files for 'FemaleNord', 'MaleGuard', 'MaleNord', or 'MaleNordCommander' then you CANNOT simply copy and paste these files into your Skyrim Directory. 

Q: How do I know if I have mods that modify those voice files?
A: Navigate to your Skyrim folder in Steam/steamapps/common/Skyrim/Data/Sound/Voice/Skyrim.esm and check to see if you have the files: 'FemaleNord', 'MaleGuard', 'MaleNord', and 'MaleNordCommander'.

If you DO have those files, follow these installation steps:
1. download the file 'Guard Helmet Voice FX 1.0'
2. extract the files some where safe
3. if you have the file 'FemaleNord' in your Steam/steamapps/common/Skyrim/Data/Sound/Voice/Skyrim.esm folder, then open the 'FemaleNord' file from this mod and copy and paste all the files into the existing 'FemaleNord' file. This will ensure that the files from this mod don't get rid of any modded voice files you already have.
4. follow Step 3 for the files in 'MaleGuard', 'MaleNord', and 'MaleNordCommander' to make sure you do not get rid of any modded files you already have in existing folders.
5. Voila, you should be all set!

If you DO NOT have those files, follow these installation steps:
1. download the file 'Guard Helmet Voice FX 1.0"
2. extract the files some where safe
3. copy and paste 'FemaleNord', 'MaleGuard', 'MaleNord', and 'MaleNordCommander' into this location: Steam/steamapps/common/Skyrim/Data/Sound/Voice/Skyrim.esm
4. Voila, you should be all set!

*NOTE* You should definitely keep track of which Voice files you already have in your directory. That way, should you decide to uninstall this mod you can keep track of which files to delete (this mod) and which files to keep (other modded voice files).


Uninstallation
If you find that this mod isn't what you are looking for, follow these uninstallation steps:

NEWEST VERSION - Version 1.2.1
1. find and delete the folders 'FemaleNordHelmet,' 'MaleGuardHelmet,' and 'MaleNordCommanderHelmet' in your Skyrim Directory located here:Steam/steamapps/common/Skyrim/Data/Sound/Voice/Skyrim.esm 
2. find and delete the file "Guard Helmet Voice FX.esp" in your Skyrim Data folder.

OUTDATED VERSIONS - Versions 1.0, 1.1
1. find the folders 'FemaleNord', 'MaleGuard', 'MaleNord', and 'MaleNordCommander' in your Skyrim Directory located here: Steam/steamapps/common/Skyrim/Data/Sound/Voice/Skyrim.esm
2. a) if you have other mods that modify voice files for 'FemaleNord', 'MaleGuard', 'MaleNord', or 'MaleNordCommander', make sure you keep those files before you delete the files from this mod.
    b) if you don't have other mods that modify voice files for 'FemaleNord', 'MaleGuard', 'MaleNord', or 'MaleNordCommander', you can simply delete the 4 folders.


Compatibility
This mod should be compatible with most mods, however, any mod that changes the model for guard helmets such as Open Face Guard Helms, or anything that redistributes the armor for guards like Immersive Armors or Diverse Guards (any mod that causes Guard NPC's mouths to be exposed), will cause this mod to break immersion, and just kinda wont fit (the guard will sound like they have a face covering helmet on when they might not).

Some initial testing suggests that this mod works with the Guard Dialogue Overhaul (GDO) and the Relationship Dialogue Overhaul (RDO). All around compatibility testing still needs to be done, especially to see if there will be any conflicts with USLEEP.

I'll be looking into the possibility of making Compatibility Patches for other mods in the future.


Change Log

v1.2.1
- Bug Fix:
- a lot of guards were limited to 2 phrases, "what is it?" and "what do you need?" in Version 1.2
- v1.2.1 properly assigns the new "Helmet Voice Types" to be available for "Guard Dialogue"
- All guards should have a variety of things to say now.

v1.2
- 1.2 covers more content and is a more sophisticated way of modding the Guard NPC voices:
- Modifies 5,864 voice files for Guard NPC's
- Works by ADDING Voice files to Skyrim's Data rather than REPLACING the files that the vanilla game uses
- Includes a Creation Kit .esp file that utilizes those 5,864 edited voice files with new custom "VoiceTypes" tied only to Guard NPC's
- Results in a more immersive and seamless experience

v1.1
- Bumped up volume on all voice files by 2 dB. The added voice effects caused the guards to speak more quietly and they were sometimes drowned out by ambient noise, so I raised the volume of every voice to restore their original volumes and make it a bit easier for players to hear the dialogue.

v1.0
- Release version, covers 1,855 voice files


Future Updates
- The Voice File Reference Tool (VFRT) will allow me to pin-point exactly which voice files are being used by Guard NPC's and which ones they aren't; I can also fill any missing gaps in the edited voice files while doing away with voice files that the Guard NPC's will never use. The result will be a MUCH smaller and more optimized file folder to download and install.
- There are probably more voice files that need to be edited and added in order for this mod to be truly comprehensive. I hope to hunt some down myself using VFRT, but I also welcome the help of anyone who comes across any interactions that aren't covered by this mod.
- I'd like to look into supporting this mod for different languages, but first I want to optimize the English version.
- I want to adapt this mod to other aspects of the game, namely a version that adds Helmet Voice FX for Player Shouts.
- Other adaptations of this mod are welcome, such as Helmet Voice FX for your favorite follower or for specific NPCs. Just link this mod in your Description and shoot me a message because I'll probably be interested myself!
- Lastly, the most optimal version of this mod (and of any Helmet Voice FX mod) would be a mechanic that works by applying Helmet Voice FX through scripts that are attached to appropriate helmets. The script(s) would function by swapping the Voice Type the NPC/Player is using from their default voice to the modded "Helmet Voice" version. This would also allow for the Helmet Voice FX to be added and removed in real time as NPCs/Followers and Players equip and unequip helmets. If anyone would like to take a shot at writing a script that would add this functionality, have at it! I am looking into accomplishing this myself, though I have little to no experience writing script for Skyrim. 


Credits
AlexxEG                       BSA Browser and BSA Browser for SE
greentea101                         Unfuzer and Voice File Reference Tool (VFRT)
The Audacity Dev Team         Audacity
taro8                                   Guard Armor Replacement
navidia1                               Improved closefaced helmets

*Note* I combined taro8's mod and navida's mod so that Guard NPC's have different armor and vanilla helmets with open visors.


Please rate, comment, and endorse!
This is my first upload to the Nexus, so your feedback is GREATLY appreciated.


My Other Mods

Reforged Nord Weapons


Predatory Instincts: Khajiit Racial Ability