Format:SDAT

The SDAT format (Or NDS Sound Data Archive) commonly is called "sound_data.sdat". In this, we will be talking about extraction methods and looping tricks, 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, then it splits.

Kiwi.DS SDAT Specification

Formats

STRM Streamed Audio which is similar to SWAV.

SSEQ Sequenced Music. Bank and Waves separate. Similar to MIDI.

SWAR Wave Container. Contains SWAV Files.

SSAR Container for SSEQ Sound Effects. Rarely holds music.

SBNK Sound Bank. Think of it as an 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

Now here, I used to use SynthFont, but I now recommend OpenMPT (Yes it's a MOD Player but it can help set up a looping method which I will go through):

1. Run OpenMPT
2. Export the MIDI Library by Right-Clicking,
3. Open it in Notepad and press CTRL+H
4. Replace the folder name and file location with the file location (and filename like C:\BANK_BASIC.DLS)
5. Click "File" then "Save As", then save with a different name - Like "SIMCITYDS_BANKS.INI"
6. Go back to OpenMPT
7. Right-Click the MIDI Library and Import the newly saved bank info
8. Export the Bank using the method below
9. Loop by typing "BXX" replacing X with the loop bar
10. Play to check if it loops seamlessly
11. Click File then Stream Export
12. Choose your settings
13. Click OK, the rest should be self explanatory

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 ORIGINAL FORMAT!!!