LRC (file format)

Overview

LRC is a computer file format that synchronizes song lyrics with an audio file, such as MP3, Ogg or MIDI. When an audio file is played with certain music players on a computer or on modern digital audio players, the song lyrics are displayed. The lyrics file generally has the same name as the audio file. For example, song.mp3 and song.lrc. The file type is reasonably scarce despite being easy to make. ^{[citation needed]}

Simple LRC format

Simple LRC format was introduced by Kuo (Djohan) Shiang-shiang's Lyrics Displayer. It was one of the first computer programs, if not the first, that attempted to simulate Karaoke performance. [1] It didn't, however, have the capability to display the lyrics word-by-word as the song was played because the files used to store the lyrics (.LRC format files) contained Time Tags for each line instead of time tags for each word, as in modern Karaoke machines. Therefore, with the Simple LRC format, the program only had the capability to display a whole line of lyrics and henceforth didn't have the capability of highlighting one word at a time, such as one would see in modern Karaoke machines.

The Line Time Tags are in the format [mm:ss.xx] where mm is minutes, ss is seconds and xx is hundredths of a second.

Example:

[mm:ss.xx] lyrics line 1

[mm:ss.xx] lyrics line 2

...

[mm:ss.xx] last lyrics line

ID Tags may appear before the lyrics [2], although some players may not recognize or simply ignore this. ^{[citation needed]}

[ti:Lyrics Title ]

[ar:Lyrics Artist]

[by:Creator of the LRC file]

[re:the player or the editor that creates LRC file]

[ve:version of program]

Example of an LRC file with ID tags:

[ti:Let's Twist Again]

[ar:Chubby Checker oppure Beatles, The]

[au:Written by Kal Mann / Dave Appell, 1961]

[al:Hits Of The 60's - Vol. 2 – Oldies]

[00:12.00]Lyrics beginning ...

[00:15.30]Some more lyrics ...

...

Enhanced LRC format

Enhanced LRC format is an extension of Simple LRC Format developed by the designer of A2 Media Player [3]. It adds an extra Word Time Tag in the format: <mm:ss.xx>.

Example of and Enhanced LRC file:

[mm:ss.xx] <mm:ss.xx> line 1 word 1 <mm:ss.xx> line 1 word 2 <mm:ss.xx> ... line 1 last word <mm:ss.xx>

[mm:ss.xx] <mm:ss.xx> line 2 word 1 <mm:ss.xx> line 2 word 2 <mm:ss.xx> ... line 2 last word <mm:ss.xx>

...

<mm:ss.xx> last line word 1 <mm:ss.xx> last line word 2 <mm:ss.xx> ... last line last word <mm:ss.xx>

Hardware Supporting LRC

Trio MP3-DA-8033a - Includes a sample song with simple LRC lyrics.
MP4 Watch - Includes sample songs with LRC lyrics.
Acorp MP560AOF - Lyric synchronization (LRC V0.2 format).

Software Supporting LRC

External links

LRC Lyrics Database
LRC Lyrics Center
How to get or make LRC.
MiniLyrics automatic lyrics display.
Lyrics plugin for Windows Media Player and Winamp.