What is a .LRC file?
A .LRC file is a type of text file specifically designed for storing song lyrics along with timing information. This file format is commonly used in audio playback and karaoke software to display lyrics in sync with music. Programs like StepMania, Recisio KaraFun, and others use .LRC files to enhance the listening or karaoke experience by showing each line of the song lyrics at the precise time it should be sung.
The .LRC file contains what are known as "Line Item Tags." These tags include timestamps that cue the software when to display each lyric line, so they appear exactly when that part of the song is played. This synchronization allows for an interactive experience, especially useful in karaoke.
To open an .LRC file, you can use various programs: - **StepMania**: A popular game and simulation program for dance and other rhythm exercises that also supports karaoke features. - **Recisio KaraFun**: A well-known karaoke player that provides a rich karaoke experience with support for various file formats including .LRC. - **Apple iTunes with MiniLyrics plugin**: Although this plugin has been discontinued, it was used to display lyrics in iTunes. - **Nullsoft Winamp with MiniLyrics plugin**: Another option for playing music with synchronized lyrics displayed. - **Microsoft Windows Media Player with VividLyrics Karaoke Plugin**: This setup allows you to use a common media player for karaoke by adding the capability to read .LRC files.
.LRC files are versatile in that they can also include additional formatting options like color codes to enhance the visual presentation of lyrics. They support detailed timing down to hundredths of a second (centiseconds), and can handle lyrics that span multiple lines.
Typically, an .LRC file is named after the song file it corresponds to. For instance, if there is a song file named "dance.mp3," the associated lyrics file would be named "dance.lrc." It's important to note that there are several versions of the .LRC format. Over the years, enhancements have been made by the community, leading to variations in how these files are structured. While some music players can only recognize the basic features of .LRC files, others can handle more complex elements included in newer versions of the format.
Verification
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