Back to mods
Dead Air project artwork

CurseForge · Minecraft mod

Dead Air

Extra Special Studio presents Dead Air: radio towers become station nodes you tune with built-in T1/T2 radios & cross-dim Link. Collect notes, craft upgrades & panels. Requires Apocalypse Structures, GeckoLib & ESC.

Choose a version Pick your version below, then grab the matching file.

Quick answer

Which Dead Air release should I use?

Updated yesterday
Latest stable file dead_air-2.1.2+1.20.1-forge.jar
Game version 1.20.1
Loader Forge

Dead Air dead_air-2.1.2+1.20.1-forge.jar targets 1.20.1 with Forge. The project page does not say whether this file belongs on the client, dedicated server, or both. All 3 required mods have matching files.

Where it goes

Is Dead Air required on the client, server, or both?

The project page does not say whether this file belongs on the client, dedicated server, or both.

Client Source doesn’t say
Dedicated server Source doesn’t say
Loader for this release Forge
Required install it here Optional supported, not mandatory Not supported do not install here Source doesn’t say do not assume

The source does not explicitly classify this release as client-only or server-only.

What else does Dead Air dead_air-2.1.2+1.20.1-forge.jar need?

dead_air-2.1.2+1.20.1-forge.jar. Change the file and its required mods may change too.

All 3 required mods have matching files

Install Apocalypse Structures: Radio Towers and Airdrops, GeckoLib, [ESC] Extra Special Core first. We found matching files for this game-version and loader setup. 2 come through another mod in the chain.

13 listed on this file 2 pulled in by those mods
Dead Air: After Hours FM Optional for Dead Air dead_air-2.1.2+1.20.1-forge.jar
optional
Matching file found Matched file: dead_air_after_hours_fm-1.1.1.jar
Dead Air: Broken Youth Radio Optional for Dead Air dead_air-2.1.2+1.20.1-forge.jar
optional
Matching file found Matched file: dead_air_broken_youth_radio-1.1.1.jar
Berezka's Zombie Waves API Optional for Dead Air dead_air-2.1.2+1.20.1-forge.jar
optional
Matching file found Matched file: Berezka's Zombie Waves API 1.2.0 for Forge 1.20.1
Dead Air Translations Optional for Dead Air dead_air-2.1.2+1.20.1-forge.jar
optional
Matching file found Matched file: Dead Air Translations 1.0.0 for Forge 1.20.1
GeckoLib Needed by Dead Air dead_air-2.1.2+1.20.1-forge.jar
required
Matching file found Matched file: geckolib-forge-1.20.1-4.8.4.jar
Dead Air: Frontline FM Optional for Dead Air dead_air-2.1.2+1.20.1-forge.jar
optional
Matching file found Matched file: dead_air_frontline_fm-1.1.1.jar
[ESC] Extra Special Core Needed by Dead Air dead_air-2.1.2+1.20.1-forge.jar
required
Matching file found Matched file: extraspecialcore-2.0.1+1.20.1-forge.jar
Dead Air: Zero Gravity Optional for Dead Air dead_air-2.1.2+1.20.1-forge.jar
optional
Matching file found Matched file: dead_air_zero_gravity-1.0.1.jar
Dead Air: Wayfarer Radio Optional for Dead Air dead_air-2.1.2+1.20.1-forge.jar
optional
Matching file found Matched file: dead_air_wayfarer_radio-1.1.1.jar
Dead Air: Block Beats FM Optional for Dead Air dead_air-2.1.2+1.20.1-forge.jar
optional
Matching file found Matched file: dead_air_block_beats_fm-1.1.1.jar
Dead Air: Iron Rain FM Optional for Dead Air dead_air-2.1.2+1.20.1-forge.jar
optional
Matching file found Matched file: dead_air_iron_rain_fm-1.1.1.jar
Berezka's library Optional for Dead Air dead_air-2.1.2+1.20.1-forge.jar
optional
Matching file found Matched file: Berezka API 1.2.9.5 for Forge 1.20.1
Dead Air Needed by Dead Air: After Hours FM
pulled in
Matching file found Matched file: dead_air-2.1.2+1.20.1-forge.jar
Apocalypse Zombies: REDONE Needed by Berezka's Zombie Waves API
pulled in
Matching file found Matched file: apocalypsezombiesredone-1.0.0-forge-1.20.1.jar

2 extra mods were pulled in by other dependencies. Indented rows show who needs each one. We only count dependency files that match this setup. A file for another loader does not fill the gap.

Before you install it

Add Dead Air without breaking your instance.

Built for Dead Air dead_air-2.1.2+1.20.1-forge.jar. Pick another file and the loader, install side or required mods may change.

  1. 01

    Stick to this file

    Use dead_air-2.1.2+1.20.1-forge.jar. It targets 1.20.1 with Forge; another release may have different loader, side or dependency requirements.

  2. 02

    Bring the mods it needs

    Install Apocalypse Structures: Radio Towers and Airdrops, GeckoLib, [ESC] Extra Special Core first. We found matching files for this game-version and loader setup. 2 come through another mod in the chain.

  3. 03

    Put it on the correct side

    The project page does not say whether this file belongs on the client, dedicated server, or both.

  4. 04

    Pick the file you checked

    Use the “Get this file” button beside dead_air-2.1.2+1.20.1-forge.jar. It opens that exact file at the source.

About this project

What does Dead Air add?

Dead Air:

Turns radio towers into broadcast nodes. Each tower can broadcast a different station. Examples include Bedrock Radio, Creatopia Radio, Jukebox FM, Remix Radio, optional internet streams, and dynamic stations from expansion mods / autoDiscoverModMusic.

2.0.0 ships its own radios — T1.Radio and T2.Radio (Walkie Link) with animated GeckoLib models. No third-party walkie mod required.


Progression & materials:

  • Static Notes drop while listening (one active radio: T1 15% / T2 30%); nine Notes on the ground merge into a Resonant Chord
  • Craft Dimensional Relay, T1 / T2, Signal Upgrade, Disc Compendiums → Jukebox Upgrade, and a Radio Panel recipe (when RadioTowers is present)
  • Install Signal Upgrade on a panel to unlock T2 Link: listen to that tower across dimensions; the link follows if you re-assign the panel’s station
  • In-game Field Guide covers Intro, How To Play, Materials (recipes), Current Expansions, and Planned Material

You can create custom stations and playlists:

Custom stations: put .ogg files in config/dead_air/custom stations/<Station Name>/ (one subfolder per station; restart).

Extra tracks for built-in stations: set customMusicPath to a folder with assets/dead_air/sounds/music/custom/*.ogg.


How it works:

Dead Air uses Radio Panel blocks (Apocalypse Structures / RadioTowers) as broadcast towers. You can craft panels for your own bases.

Emergency Broadcast (88.5 MHz) can come from any powered tower.

Signal is shown as 0–5 bars (distance, line-of-sight, weather). Bars use 75-block steps: 5/5 within 75 blocks, 4/5 at 150, 3/5 at 225, 2/5 at 300, 1/5 at 375, none beyond that.

Discovery: with the radio on, being in range of a tower unlocks its station; unlocked stations stay available.

Tower types: Standard towers work immediately. Fenced and Overrun need one Radio Panel right-click to activate; that state saves.

Audio: music plays from your one active tuned radio (hand, hotbar, or inventory—configurable). Volume follows signal. Weak signal or bad tuning adds static. Cross-dimension travel resumes the same track near where it left off when Linked / in range again. Dropped radios do not play.


How to use it:

Hold a T1 or T2 Dead Air radio and press N (default) or right-click to open the tuning screen.

The screen has a retro dial (88.0–108.0 MHz). Tune with the slider or by picking a station. On T2, Link Selected Station / Unlink Station locks onto a Signal-Upgraded tower in range (no need to stand at the panel). Ping Location sends your name and coordinates to chat.

Further options: dead_air-common.toml and the in-game config (ranges, volume, overlay, radioAlwaysOn, etc.).


Server commands:

/dead_air spawntower <type> [x] [y] [z] — spawns a tower at your position or the given coords. Types: standard, fenced, overrun. Spawned towers are active immediately.


Current expansions:

Optional companion soundtrack packs — work standalone or plug into Dead Air as stations:

  • Dead Air - Wayfarer Radio — adventure / RPG
  • Dead Air - Frontline FM — high-energy battle / combat
  • Dead Air - After Hours FM — Lo-Fi / chillout
  • Dead Air - Block Beats FM — Hip-Hop / R&B
  • Dead Air - Broken Youth Radio — pop punk
  • Dead Air - Iron Rain FM — metal
  • Dead Air - Zero Gravity — pop rock / indie pop

    Special Note: If you would like your own music turned into an expansion, drop me a message :)


Dependencies:

  • Required: Apocalypse Structures: Radio Towers and Airdrops (RadioTowers), GeckoLib 4.x, ExtraSpecialCore (ESC)
  • Optional: Berezka’s Library + Berezka’s Zombie Waves API (full airdrop / wave flows with RadioTowers)

Dead Air does not replace RadioTowers — it adds broadcasts, stations, signal, music, radios, and progression on top.


Music rights:

ALL CUSTOM MUSIC TRACKS ARE OWNED BY ME AND MY TEAM. You may use these in any modpack, and play these tracks in YouTube videos / Twitch streams and similar. DO NOT distribute the music files individually.

Project description from CurseForge.

Pick your setup

Dead Air by Minecraft version and loader

Choose the version and loader you play, then open the matching release.

1 available setups

Check the dependencies, then try the file in a copied instance before changing a world you care about.

Recent files

Dead Air versions and loaders

17 of 17 releases match

Looking for an older file? The official CurseForge project page is in Resources.