Extract text from Nintendo DS sound archives (SDAT)
To convert SDAT sound archives to another format, you need VGMTrans or other Game software.
To convert other file formats to the "Game Audio Archive Container" file type, you need software like VGMTrans or a similar tool.
The .sdat file is primarily a Nintendo DS Sound Archive. It operates like a virtual orchestra, bundling sequenced music instructions, instrument sound banks, and waveform samples into a single container to save cartridge space. Alternatively, an .sdat file can be an encrypted PlayStation game data file (NPDRM format) or an AFK Arena player profile.
Because .sdat is a highly proprietary archive format, it cannot be opened by standard media players like VLC or web browsers. PlayStation .sdat files are further complicated by hardware-locked encryption, making them inaccessible without specific decryption keys. This creates a frustrating barrier for users who want to listen to nostalgic game soundtracks or analyze game assets.
To use this audio outside of an emulator, you must extract the container. For editing and remixing, convert the internal sequences to MIDI and extract the soundfonts. For simple playback on modern devices, convert the audio to WAV or MP3. Drag and drop your file to analyze and convert it - free, online, and without installing software. Be aware that extracting PlayStation data often requires valid license keys, and raw sequence data may require a compatible sound bank to sound correct after conversion.
Use Convert.Guru to open and convert your SDAT file.
Users also converted BIN, DF, 4 and GSF files.
If you want to convert SDAT file to MP3, WAV, AAC, FLAC, OGG, WMA, M4A, AIFF, OPUS, ALAC, APE or WV, you can use VGMTrans or similar software from the "Game Audio and Data Archive" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….
To convert MIDI, AAC, TTA, AU, WV, DTS, MID, FLAC, RA, MP3, PCM or WAV files to SDAT, try VGMTrans or another comparable tool in the "Game Audio and Data Archive" 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 SDAT converter.