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Enhanced LRC File Format

Comprehensive guide to the Enhanced LRC format - an advanced standard for word-level synchronized lyrics with enhanced metadata, karaoke support, and precise timing for professional applications.

What is Enhanced LRC Format?

Enhanced LRC (ELRC) is an advanced extension of the standard LRC format that provides word-level timestamp precision, enhanced metadata support, and specialized features for karaoke applications. While maintaining backward compatibility with standard LRC, Enhanced LRC offers significantly more granular timing control and additional functionality.

This format is particularly valuable for professional karaoke systems, language learning applications, and advanced music players that require precise word-by-word synchronization and rich metadata support.

Enhanced LRC Format Specification

Basic Structure

An Enhanced LRC file maintains the basic LRC structure but adds support for word-level timestamps and enhanced metadata:

# Enhanced metadata tags
[ar:Artist Name]
[ti:Song Title]
[al:Album Name]
[by:Creator Name]
[la:Language]
[re:Enhanced LRC Editor v1.0]
# Word-level synchronized lyrics
[00:12.34]<00:12.34>First <00:12.89>line <00:13.45>of <00:13.78>lyrics
[00:18.50]<00:18.50>Second <00:18.95>line <00:19.40>of <00:19.85>lyrics

Word-Level Timestamps

Enhanced LRC supports word-level timing using inline timestamps within lyric lines:

Syntax:

[line_time]<word1_time>word1 <word2_time>word2 <word3_time>word3

Example:

[00:15.20]<00:15.20>Hello <00:15.65>beautiful <00:16.40>world

Timestamp Format

Enhanced LRC supports both standard LRC timestamps and high-precision timestamps:

Standard Format

  • [mm:ss.xx] - Centisecond precision
  • [00:12.34] - Example

High-Precision Format

  • [mm:ss.xxx] - Millisecond precision
  • [00:12.345] - Example

Enhanced Metadata Tags

Enhanced LRC supports all standard LRC metadata tags plus additional enhanced tags:

Standard Tags

  • [ar:Artist Name] - Song artist
  • [ti:Song Title] - Song title
  • [al:Album Name] - Album name
  • [au:Author] - Song author/composer
  • [by:Creator] - LRC file creator
  • [offset:+/-ms] - Time offset
  • [re:Editor] - LRC editor software
  • [ve:Version] - LRC format version

Enhanced Tags

  • [la:Language] - Lyric language (ISO 639-1)
  • [genre:Genre] - Music genre
  • [year:YYYY] - Release year
  • [length:mm:ss] - Song duration
  • [bpm:XXX] - Beats per minute
  • [key:X] - Musical key
  • [mood:Mood] - Song mood/emotion
  • [rating:X/10] - Content rating

Karaoke-Specific Tags

  • [difficulty:Easy|Medium|Hard] - Karaoke difficulty level
  • [vocal_range:Low-High] - Vocal range requirements
  • [duet:true|false] - Duet song indicator
  • [harmony:true|false] - Harmony parts included

Complete Enhanced LRC File Example

Here's a complete example of a properly formatted Enhanced LRC file with word-level timing:

# Enhanced metadata
[ar:The Beatles]
[ti:Yesterday]
[al:Help!]
[au:Paul McCartney]
[by:QuickLRC Enhanced]
[la:en]
[genre:Pop Rock]
[year:1965]
[length:02:05]
[bpm:75]
[key:F]
[difficulty:Easy]
[vocal_range:G3-D5]
[offset:0]
[re:Enhanced LRC Editor v2.1]
[ve:2.0]
# Word-level synchronized lyrics
[00:00.00]<00:00.00>Yesterday
[00:03.50]<00:03.50>All <00:03.85>my <00:04.20>troubles <00:04.95>seemed <00:05.45>so <00:05.80>far <00:06.25>away
[00:08.20]<00:08.20>Now <00:08.55>it <00:08.85>looks <00:09.30>as <00:09.65>though <00:10.10>they're <00:10.60>here <00:11.05>to <00:11.40>stay
[00:12.80]<00:12.80>Oh, <00:13.25>I <00:13.60>believe <00:14.35>in <00:14.85>yesterday
[00:18.30]
[00:19.10]<00:19.10>Suddenly
[00:22.40]<00:22.40>I'm <00:22.70>not <00:23.05>half <00:23.50>the <00:23.85>man <00:24.30>I <00:24.65>used <00:25.00>to <00:25.35>be

Use Cases and Applications

Professional Karaoke

Commercial karaoke systems with word-level highlighting and precise timing for professional venues.

Language Learning

Educational software with word-by-word pronunciation timing and language-specific metadata.

Music Production

Studio applications for precise lyric timing during recording and mastering processes.

Accessibility Tools

Advanced assistive technology with detailed timing for users with hearing or cognitive impairments.

Interactive Media

Interactive music videos, games, and applications requiring precise word-level synchronization.

Broadcast Media

Television and radio applications for live lyric display with enhanced metadata integration.

Software Compatibility

Enhanced LRC format is supported by specialized applications that require advanced lyric synchronization features. While maintaining backward compatibility with standard LRC readers, full Enhanced LRC features require compatible software:

Full Enhanced LRC Support

QuickLRC Pro (Web-based)
KaraFun Professional (Commercial)
Singa Business (Commercial)
LyricsPad Pro (iOS/Android)
Karaoke Mixer Pro (Windows/Mac)

Partial Support (Basic LRC Only)

foobar2000 (Line timing only)
Winamp (Line timing only)
MusicBee (Line timing only)
AIMP (Line timing only)
VLC Media Player (Basic display)

Compatibility Legend

Full Enhanced LRC Support
Backward Compatible (Standard LRC Only)

Enhanced LRC Tools and Utilities

Explore our comprehensive collection of Enhanced LRC tools to create, convert, validate, and work with Enhanced LRC files featuring word-level timing.

Enhanced LRC Generator
Enhanced LRC Maker
Enhanced LRC Generator