How To Add Songs To Clone Hero: Custom Track Guide

Adding custom songs to Clone Hero turns the rhythm game into an endless library of your favorite music. Whether you're hunting down classic rock charts or modern metal tracks, expanding your setlist takes just a few minutes once you know where files go and how directory structures work.

The core process requires downloading a chart package, extracting the archive, moving the folder into your local Clone Hero Songs directory, and running an in-game scan. If any required file is missing or misplaced, the game won't recognize your tracks, so proper setup matters from the start.

Finding and Downloading Custom Tracks

Before adding music to your game, you need valid custom charts built by the community. Clone Hero doesn't read raw audio files on their own; it requires a chart package that includes note placements, metadata, and audio.

Primary community hubs make downloading straightforward:

• Browse databases like Chorus Encore to search for specific artists, tracks, or chart difficulties.
• Explore curated setlists and project packs shared on community archives like Custom Songs Central.
• Download community-vetted charts from specialized community spreadsheets and repository sites.

When you download a track, it usually arrives as a compressed archive (.zip, .rar, or .7z). You can't just drop the raw zip file into your game directory. You have to extract the contents first using built-in operating system tools or extraction software like 7-Zip.

Locating Your Clone Hero Songs Directory

Every operating system handles installation paths differently. Finding the correct directory ensures the game indexes your music library properly.

Windows Installation Paths

On Windows, your file destination depends on how you installed the game:

• Typical Installation: Navigate to Documents\Clone Hero\Songs. This is where most standard installations place the directory.
• Portable Mode: Open your game installation folder, open the PlayerData folder, and find the Songs folder inside.

macOS and Linux Paths

• macOS: Open Finder, press Command + Shift + G, and type ~/Clone Hero/Songs to jump straight to the directory.
• Linux: Look inside your home directory under the hidden folder located at ~/.clonehero/songs.

Structuring Song Folders Correctly

A common mistake is dropping loose files or raw archive contents directly into the main directory. Each song needs its own dedicated subfolder inside your Songs folder.

Inside an individual song's folder, Clone Hero looks for specific file types to run the track properly:

• Audio file: Usually an .ogg or .mp3 file providing the actual music playback.
• Chart file: A notes.chart or notes.mid file containing the precise note placement data.
• Metadata file: A song.ini file storing track details like artist name, charter credits, album, and track length.
• Album art (Optional): A .png or .jpg image file that displays album graphics on the track selection screen.

You can organize your song folders into custom artist subfolders or genre groups. The game scans nested directories automatically as long as the base requirements inside each song folder are met.

Scanning Songs In-Game

Once your files are moved to the right directory, launch Clone Hero to index them into your local database.

1. Open the game and press Start or Spacebar on your keyboard to open the Settings menu.
2. Navigate down to the General tab.
3. Locate and select Scan Songs.
4. Confirm the prompt and wait while the game reads your directory. Larger libraries with thousands of charts can take a minute or two to finish indexing.

Exit the settings menu, head into Quick Play, and your newly added custom tracks will appear in your setlist ready to play.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why aren't my newly added songs showing up in-game?

The most common cause is improper folder nesting. Make sure your files aren't sitting loose in the main Songs folder, and verify that every song folder contains both an audio file and a chart file (notes.chart or notes.mid). After fixing the structure, run another manual scan from the game settings.

Can I add custom songs on Android devices?

Yes. Open your device's internal storage manager, navigate to the Clone Hero folder, and place your extracted song folders directly into the Songs directory there. Afterward, run the scan songs feature from the mobile app settings.

What should I do if a downloaded song has no audio?

Some chart packages omit official audio files for copyright reasons. These charts require you to legally acquire or supply your own audio file, rename it to match the chart requirements, and place it inside the song folder alongside the chart data.

Do I need to restart Clone Hero every time I add new tracks?

No restart is required. You can drop new folders into your directory while the game is running, then simply open settings and click Scan Songs to refresh your library instantly.