Extract text from game audio files (ADW)
To convert ADW audio files to another format, you need vgmstream or other Audio software.
To convert other file formats to the "Game Sound Bank" file type, you need software like vgmstream or a similar tool.
The .ADW file extension is primarily associated with Incredible Technologies, the developer behind iconic arcade cabinets like Golden Tee Golf. These files function as proprietary Game Audio containers, storing sound effects, voiceovers, and music tracks within the game's asset directory.
Technically, the .ADW format is often a RIFF container (similar to WAV) wrapping standard PCM or ADPCM audio data. While efficient for the arcade hardware, these files are not recognized by standard media players like VLC Media Player or Windows Media Player. Users typically encounter these files when extracting assets from arcade game ROMs or attempting to mod specific titles.
A secondary, less common association exists with Audiokinetic Wwise, a middleware engine used in thousands of games, where .ADW may appear as a legacy or platform-specific audio bank.
Note: If your file is not audio-related, it is likely a definitions file for Lavasoft Ad-Aware antivirus software. These system files cannot be converted to audio and should be left alone to ensure the security software functions correctly.
To listen to or edit .ADW audio, you must convert it to a standard format like WAV (for editing) or MP3 (for listening).
Convert.Guru analyzes your ADW file, detects the exact format, and lets you read the text inside.
If you want to convert ADW file to , you can use vgmstream or similar software from the "Arcade Game Audio" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….
To convert files to ADW, try vgmstream or another comparable tool in the "Arcade Game Audio" category.
The history of Convert.Guru began over 25 years ago in California with Tom Simondi’s file-format database. A former contributor to Space Shuttle development and a software pioneer of the 1980s, Simondi established a trusted resource for file type analysis that was even referenced by Microsoft Windows XP. Today, we use modern technology to process and convert thousands of file formats while continually improving our ADW converter.