Format:SDAT

The SDAT format (also known as NDS Sound Data Archive or as Nitro Sound Container) is commonly called "sound_data.sdat". This article talks about extraction methods and looping tricks, as well as including a breakdown of how it loads data. The header is loaded first then the names in "symb.bin" - for example "SEQ_DUMMY" or "BANK_BGM_MAIN". The data location is then loaded, and then it splits.

Kiwi.DS SDAT Specification

Formats#

STRMStreamed Audio which is similar to SWAV. SSEQSequenced Music. Bank and Waves separate. Similar to MIDI. SWARWave Container. Contains SWAV Files. SSARContainer for SSEQ Sound Effects. Rarely holds music. SBNKSound Bank. Think of it as a DLS.

SSEQ Loading Phrase#

1. Sequence Player
2. Wave Archive (SWAR/SWAV)
3. Bank Archive (SBNK)
4. Group (Not Always)
5. Sequence (SSEQ)

Extraction & Looping#

SSEQ2MIDI#

Extracting the Music#

1. Open up any SSEQ2MIDI Extractor Application (like VGMTrans)
2. Right-click the SSEQ file and click "Export" or "Extract" (can vary) - MIDI Only
3. Save it

Converting from MIDI to WAVE#

OpenMPT is the recommended tool for this task. While it's a MOD player, it can help set up a looping method through the method listed below. SynthFont is another tool that can be used here.

1. Export the MIDI Library by right-clicking
2. Open it with text editor of choice
3. Replace the folder name and file location with the file location (and filename like C:\BANK_BASIC.DLS)
4. Click "File" then "Save As", then save with a different name - like "SIMCITYDS_BANKS.INI"
5. Go back to OpenMPT
6. Right-click the MIDI Library and Import the newly saved bank info
7. Export the Bank using the method below
8. Loop by typing "BXX" replacing X with the loop bar
9. Play to check if it loops seamlessly
10. Click File then Stream Export
11. Choose your settings
12. Click OK

Exporting Banks#

Do what you did with VGMTrans, but rather than doing the SSEQ, click on the SBNK and export as SF2 or DLS, but not the original format.