Guide for creating synced lyrics for Spicy Lyrics

Contributors: @roranfeed, @TX24, @Balint2201, @Spikerko

We recommend using the AMLL TTML Tool to make TTMLs.

1. Upload a song

Use SpotiDown to download music.

1. Click on the music icon on the bottom-left corner of the page.
2. Select and upload your song.

2. Prepare the lyrics

We recommend using Lyrprep to prepare the lyrics.

1. Click the search button at the top-right corner of the INPUT box.
2. You will be able to enter the track name, the artist(s) and the album's name.
3. After you entered the details, hit Search and the results will appear.
4. Select the best result and copy the text that appears in the OUTPUT box with the copy button.

3. Import the lyrics

1. Open the File menu in the top-left corner and select From Plain text under Import.
2. Paste the lyrics into the text box.
3. Click the Import button on the top-right.

4. Check the lyrics

Check the lyrics for any errors based on the Genius Transcription Guidelines. If there are any doubts, you can ask people for help in Spicy Lyrics' Discord server.

• To edit a word, double-click on it, then press the Enter key to save the changes.
• To add a new line, click on Lyric Line in the New section of the toolbar.
  • To mark a line as background, select the line and then check Background Vocal in the Line Properties section of the toolbar. This will make the line appear under a main line and in smaller font.
  • To mark a line as duet, select the line and then check Duet Vocal in the Line Properties section of the toolbar. This will make the line appear on the other side of the lyrics page.

5. Sync the lyrics

Syncing Process

This is a fairly lengthy process and requires exceptional precision. Here is a detailed breakdown:

1. Select the first word of a line.
2. Press F at the exact moment the singer starts singing the first word. This sets its start time.
3. Press G as the singer transitions to the next word. Pressing G sets the end time of the current word and the start time of the next word simultaneously.
4. Keep pressing G at the beginning of each subsequent word in the line.
5. Press H when the singer reaches a pause, stops to breathe, or reaches the end of a line. Pressing H sets the end time of the current word without starting a new one.
6. When the singer starts singing again after a pause, press F on the next word to set its start time, then resume pressing G for the following words.
7. Use A (previous word) or D (next word) to adjust selection, and the arrow keys ← / → to jump backward or forward in the audio by 5 seconds if you make a mistake.
8. Double-check the synchronization for the line before moving on to the next one.
9. When you have finished synchronizing all lines, perform a final check and proceed to the next step.

6. Add the songwriters

6.1. Finding songwriters

Always use the songwriters' real names unless unknown.

6.2. Adding them to the TTML

1. Click the Edit menu in the top-left corner.
2. Select Edit Metadata.
3. Click on Add new key-value.
4. Select Songwriter.
5. Click on the field that appears next to Songwriter.
6. Paste the songwriter's name.
7. To add more songwriters, click on Add below the text field and paste another songwriter's name.

7. Export the lyrics

1. Open the File menu in the top-left corner.
2. Click the Save button.
3. Save the file to a desired folder.

8. Upload the lyrics

8.1. Uploading locally

1. Open the lyrics page
2. Open the local library by clicking on the Lyrics Manager button.
3. Click on Upload TTML button in the top-right corner.
4. Choose the TTML file.
5. Select Temporary Upload for checking or Persistent Upload if uploading locally.
6. Click on Upload to upload the TTML.

8.2. Applying for TTML Maker

If it has loaded and parsed successfully, all the lines are in place, and there are no errors or mistakes, then you can apply for the TTML Maker role.

1. Join the Spicy Lyrics Discord Server.
2. Go to the create-a-ticket channel.
3. Create a ticket and paste your TTML file.
4. Wait for a reviewer to check your TTML file.
5. Once it has been approved and uploaded, you will receive the TTML Maker role.

9. TTML Maker

Once you have the TTML Maker role, uploading will be a little bit different.

1. Make a post in the ttml-uploads channel.
2. Be patient and wait for a reviewer to check your TTML file.
3. Repeat for every TTML you want to upload.

Role Hierarchy

FAQ

What are the types of syncs?

There are three main types of syncs in Spicy Lyrics:

How long will it take to make a TTML?

This depends on your skill level in accurate timing in general, and the song itself. A rough estimate of the total time required to sync a single song is 1-2 hours for a beginner, and 30 minutes to an hour for an experienced TTML Maker.

How long will it take for my TTML to be reviewed and uploaded?

It depends on the availability of reviewers, the number of TTMLs in the queue, and the song. The average waiting time is a few months.

What is the TTML Maker role?

The TTML Maker role is a role that is given to users who have been approved to upload their own TTML files to Spicy Lyrics. It is not a requirement to have this role in order to use synced lyrics, but it is required to have this role in order to upload your own TTML files to the global Spicy Lyrics database.

What are the TTML Pro and TTML Master roles, and how do you get them?

Those two roles indicate the level of quality and how often the user has uploaded TTMLs. To obtain them, double-check your TTMLs and upload more frequently.

How do I get TTML Self-uploader?

A moderator will give it to you if they feel you've met their requirements. There aren't definitive and objective requirements for obtaining the TTML Self-uploader role. You need to have consistent TTMLs with minimal mistakes, upload frequently, and have a good reputation within the community. Self-uploader applications are also an option.

How do I improve my TTMLs?

Reviewers will give feedback on your TTMLs if there are errors that need fixing. Asking the community or veteran TTML Makers for advice is also a great option, but in the end, the only way to get better is to practice and improve your craft.

Can I make a TTML for my own original song?

Yes, absolutely!

I'm having trouble with Spicy Lyrics, what should I do?

If you're having trouble with Spicy Lyrics:

1. Check if Spicy Lyrics is down on the status page or in the status channel.
2. If it's not down, check if your issue has already been reported in general-support or extension-bugs.
3. If not, ask for help in the general channel of the Spicy Lyrics Discord Server.

What is a TTML file and why do we use it instead of standard lyrics (.lrc)?

A TTML file is a subtitle file used mainly for synced subtitles in media, but we use it since Apple Music uses it for their synced lyrics, and it is more flexible than .lrc files. It is based on XML and allows for more precise timing and formatting options than .lrc files.

How do I handle background vocals or ad-libs while syncing?

Background vocals and ad-libs are generally sung at a lower volume than the lead vocalist's lines. To mark a line as a background vocal or ad-lib, select the line, open the Line Properties menu, and check the Background Vocal box. This will make the line appear under the main line and in smaller font.

How do I format and sync a duet or a song with multiple singers?

For duets or songs with multiple singers, each singer's lines should be on a separate line in the lyrics. To format a line as a duet, select the line, open the Line Properties menu, and check the Duet Vocal box. This will make the line appear on the other side of the lyrics page. If there are more than 2 singers, you can try different patterns such as an alternating pattern, or mixing background vocals and duets.

What is the difference between word-by-word syncing and syllable-by-syllable syncing?

In the technical definition, there is none. Spicy Lyrics always defaults to "Syllable" on the "Word" format sync — basically, they're the same.

What should I do if there is a long instrumental section or pause in the song?

You sync the last word of the previous line with H and the first word of the next line with F, leaving the instrumental section or pause empty.

What is the difference between Temporary Upload and Persistent Upload in the Lyrics Manager?

A temporary upload lasts until you change the song or restart Spotify, while a persistent upload will stay until you manually remove it in the local library.

Can I still use my synced lyrics if the upload tickets are closed?

Yes, you can still use your synced lyrics locally even if the upload tickets are closed. You can upload them locally using the local lyrics library in the Lyrics Manager. Follow step 8.1 to learn how.