Custom Songs in Trombone Champ Guide

Enhance your Trombone Champ experience by incorporating custom songs, transforming the quirky rhythm game into a personalized concert hall. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough for PC users, covering everything from initial mod setup to sourcing and installing tracks. Whether you’re a newcomer to modding or troubleshooting a stubborn setup, you’ll find detailed steps, tips, and solutions here.

Understanding Modding Essentials for Trombone Champ

Trombone Champ, developed by Holy Wow Studios, thrives on its humorous gameplay and expansive song library. Custom songs extend this by letting players import community-created charts for popular tracks. Modding requires tools like BepInEx—a framework for injecting modifications—and TrombLoader, which handles song loading. These are lightweight and safe when sourced correctly, but always back up your game files first.

Modding benefits include access to thousands of fan-made songs, from pop hits to video game OSTs. Community platforms like TootTally aggregate these, ensuring compatibility with the latest game patches. Note that console versions lack mod support, so this guide focuses on Steam PC installs.

Preparing Your System for Mod Installation

Before diving in, ensure Trombone Champ is updated via Steam. Disable antivirus temporarily during installs, as it may flag mod files. You’ll need a file extractor like 7-Zip for handling .zip song packs.

• Download 7-Zip: Free tool for unpacking archives. Available from the official site.
• Backup game folder: Right-click Trombone Champ in Steam > Manage > Browse local files. Copy the entire directory.
• Steam launch options: Optional; add -windowed for easier testing.

Step-by-Step: Installing BepInEx Framework

BepInEx is the foundation for all Trombone Champ mods. It creates a plugin ecosystem without altering core files.

1. Visit the official BepInEx GitHub releases page and download the latest stable version for Unity games (x64).
2. Extract the .zip to your Trombone Champ folder (Steam > right-click > Browse local files).
3. Overwrite any prompts. Launch the game once, then exit—this generates config folders.
4. Verify: Check for a BepInEx folder with plugins and config subdirectories.

If issues arise, ensure .NET Runtime is installed (included with modern Windows). Relaunch Steam as admin if files don’t appear.

Adding TrombLoader for Song Support

TrombLoader scans and loads custom content. It’s essential for recognizing song folders.

1. Download TrombLoader.dll from its Thunderstore or GitHub page.
2. Place it in TromboneChamp/BepInEx/plugins/.
3. Launch and quit the game. A CustomSongs folder should auto-create.

For advanced users, r2modman simplifies this. Install via its site, create a Trombone Champ profile, and import mods directly—ideal for managing multiple setups.

Sourcing High-Quality Custom Songs

Don’t settle for random downloads—use trusted hubs for verified charts.

• TootTally (toottally.com): Searchable database with ratings, previews, and direct downloads. Filter by difficulty or genre.
• TromboneDB (tc-mods.github.io/TromboneDB/): Community spreadsheet alternative with working links post-Discord changes.
• Steam Workshop/Community Guides: Curated lists like ID 2887009757 for starter packs.

Avoid unverified sites to prevent corrupted files. Look for packs including .trombone, audio, and background assets.

Manual Installation Process

Once mods are set, adding songs is straightforward.

1. Download a .zip song pack (e.g., from TootTally).
2. Navigate to %AppData%\r2modmanPlus-local\TromboneChamp\profiles\Default\BepInEx\CustomSongs (or via r2modman: Settings > Browse Profile).
3. Extract the .zip directly into CustomSongs—no subfolders needed.
4. Launch Trombone Champ, create/select save, and check Custom section.

Songs appear alphabetically. Test by playing; charts sync with toots and slides.

Using In-Game Downloader as Alternative

Post-TrombLoader, many songs download directly in-game via search. Enter keywords, preview, and install. This bypasses manual steps but may lag on large libraries. Update mods regularly for new features.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Mods not loading? Songs missing? Here’s a diagnostic table:

Logs in BepInEx/LogOutput.log reveal errors. For Mac, paths differ—use ~/Library/Application Support/Steam/steamapps/common/Trombone Champ.

Advanced Tips for Mod Enthusiasts

Batch install with r2modman: Import mod packs including FSharp_Core and Newtonsoft_Json for stability. Create custom charts using MusicBrainz for metadata and tools from trombone.wiki. Share your packs on TootTally.

Performance: Limit to 200 songs to avoid load times. Use Song Browser mods for in-game sorting.

FAQ

Is modding safe for Trombone Champ?

Yes, when using official tools. It doesn’t affect achievements or online features, as it’s single-player.

Do I need r2modman?

No, but recommended for easy updates and profiles.

Why use manual install over in-game?

For bulk adds or if downloader fails due to network issues.

Supported formats?

.trombone files with ogg audio; check TootTally for compatibility.

Console support?

Currently PC only; watch for updates.

Conclusion: Toot Your Own Horn

Custom songs breathe new life into Trombone Champ, letting you master charts from any era. Follow these steps, experiment freely, and join the modding community for endless toots. Happy playing!