Questions about: Sound files with Voices & .wav to .str

[Giorgio]

I want to find the sound files about the characters' voices for a particular scene (that is the scene where Ryo meets Terry of Yokosuka to save Nozomi), so as to replace the sound files with the ones of my own voice, for a presentation I want to make.

What I have in my mind:

• To replace the voices:
  -- If a voice is in a file exempli gratia SOUND123.snd ( = just a random name), to delete that file, then add my own file which contains my own voice, with the same filename.

Basically, that is what I want: to replace the sound files about the voices (with my sound files with my voice).

Therefore, does anyone has an idea:

• Where those files about the characters' voices are stored (especially about the aforementioned scene)?
• But, the top question: is there any way to convert .wav sound files to .snd ones? Something like wav2snd could do the job, but I can not find anywhere something like it (for Dreamcast).

I am not that experienced with Shenmue modding, at the moment, that is why I am asking for some directions...

Arigato!

[Master Kyodai]

If i remember right they are pretty much all in the Scene\01\Stream\free.afs archive. Naming could vary a bit, don't have a rip here right now to check. Converting these should be a no-brainer since as far as i remember these should all be ADX/AHX format which is supported by the CRI middleware tools (Search for CRI ADX tools or so), so conversion should be fairly easy.

[IlDucci]

The only option would be using a tool that's from the Katana Windows SDK, then a little hexadecimal help. It can be done, but right now it requires some extra manual work, per file.

[MiTT3NZ]

Could I ask exactly why you need them converted in-game?

[Giorgio]

If i remember right they are pretty much all in the Scene\01\Stream\free.afs archive. [...]

Yes, you are right!

[...] as far as i remember these should all be ADX/AHX format ...

No. They are STR files (.str). Unless if STR files are basically ADX, but with just a renamed extension, possibly... (It also contains STF files which, from what I have learned, are for subtitles).

In a post at Shenmue Master, the guy who figured out how to make a Japanese dub of Shenmue II on Xbox, said that he renamed the extension of STR files (that is .str· files from Dreamcast's Shenmue II's data folder), to the name of the extension of ADX files (that is .adx), and so he put those STR files (which he renamed their extension to .adx), to Xbox's Shenmue II's data folder. If the previous explanation is too complicated, here is the original post: http://eversonic.fr/shenmuemaster/forum ... 2563841579

... which is supported by the CRI middleware tools (Search for CRI ADX tools or so) [...]

Yes, I found the tools you are talking about. As has been said previously, if STR files are basically ADX/AHX files, then it is not a big deal. I think I would just rename the extension and that is it (for example: E1234.adx => E1234.str) ...maybe.

The only option would be using a tool that's from the Katana Windows SDK, then a little hexadecimal help. It can be done, but right now it requires some extra manual work, per file.

Well, I have downloaded the Katana Windows SDK r10, but I am not familiar with it, yet. I just did a quick search in its folders, looking for a tool that would do the job, but I have not found anything, yet. Maybe I would need to study all the docks?

I saw at Metagames (http://www.metagames-eu.com/forums/drea ... 65066.html) that you have experience with it. If you are willing to give a hint or two, so as to shortcut the time...

Could I ask exactly why you need them converted in-game?

Can you clarify your question? What do you mean by "converted in-game"?

Basically, I want to create a voice dub for some scenes (and for some Free Quests, maybe) of my own voice. Later, I think to make a voice dub [for some scenes (and for some Free Quests, maybe)] of my native language.

The procedure I have in mind is this:
1. Extract all the STR files of free1/free2/free3.afs in a folder
2. Find the speech files I am interest for
3. Copy their names to a folder, along with what each of these speech files are saying
4. Delete those files from the folder
5. Record my voice saying those relevant lines and so create new .wav files
6. Covert the .wav files to .str files [Or convert them to .adx/.ahx files and then rename the extension of those ADX/AHX files to the extension of STR files, that is .str]
7. Put those new STR (.str) files in that folder
8. Finally, create a new .cdi (or whatever) of Shenmue I.


P.S.: I changed the topic title, it should be: "Questions about: Sound files with Voices & .wav to .str" (not "... to .snd")...

[MiTT3NZ]

Ah, I thought you meant you just wanted voices swapped for a certain scene and was baffled as to why you wouldn't just record the scene with Bandicam or summat n insert audio into it. If it's for a complete game conversion then the best thing to look for would be the translation pack. They've got a shitloada tools that will help you as well as some documentation to give you a rough idea on how to use it all.

[IlDucci]

The only option would be using a tool that's from the Katana Windows SDK, then a little hexadecimal help. It can be done, but right now it requires some extra manual work, per file.

Well, I have downloaded the Katana Windows SDK r10, but I am not familiar with it, yet. I just did a quick search in its folders, looking for a tool that would do the job, but I have not found anything, yet. Maybe I would need to study all the docks?

I saw at Metagames (http://www.metagames-eu.com/forums/drea ... 65066.html) that you have experience with it. If you are willing to give a hint or two, so as to shortcut the time...

Question: You're planning to do a voice insertion or do you just want to export it later to YouTube?

As for the tool, it's MkStream. The way I have to do it, is importing it with all versions, because what you want is the compressed headerless form, and the compressed with header form. After this, you need to add via hex editor a existing header, and also change one of the header parameters that's on the compressed with header version (I think it was just adding +0x20). Then just change the extension and you're good to go.

That's the gist of it. Maybe someone could do a small tool to easen the job, but I'm no coder. If this information shouldn't be here, please delete it from public view.

[Radar]

A long time ago, I experimented with it. I don't remeber much, but I remember that it's actually worked!
I used Awave studio + WinHex(Hex editor). So it's worked like... import recorded wav file(14 000 Hz?(not sure)) to Awave studio, export it as Yamaha YADPCM file, open it in hex editor, add first lines from original STR game file(i don't remember how many you actually need to add, but it's not enough to just add file header alone) then save your file with *.str extension.
P.S You can also import original STR game file to Awave studio by changing *.STR to *.YADPCM.

[Master Kyodai]

str. is just an extension in the file system, to see what they "really" are best is to open them in a hex editor and look into the header. If i remember right str. and snd could both be DTPK (Sequenced) or ADX/AHX (Digitized, PCM), the file extension is not necessarily an indicator of the actual content. But I am 99% sure all voices are digitized, since sequencing wouldn't make sense. never tried awave studio, but as i understand radar it could act as a replacement for the ADX tools if you don't like them.