XA (CD-ROM Voice Data)
ADPCM audio data in the CD-ROM XA format.
| Extension | .XA |
|---|---|
| Created by | RAW2XA |
This is an old revision of this page, as edited by RemmyLee at 02:27, 23 October 2026. Edit this revision | Latest revision
Overview
XA is the PlayStation CD-ROM XA voice data format. The typical extension in DOS is ".XA".1
The XA format is based on the CD-ROM XA System Description of May 1991. The XA file output by RAW2XA has a sub-header.1
The PlayStation plays back ADPCM audio data as specified in the CD-ROM XA (eXtended Audio) standard. Sony calls this XA-ADPCM audio.2
Audio Types
The PlayStation supports four types of XA-ADPCM audio:2
| Sampling frequency | Stereo/monaural |
|---|---|
| 37.8 kHz | Stereo |
| 37.8 kHz | Monaural |
| 18.9 kHz | Stereo |
| 18.9 kHz | Monaural |
XA-ADPCM audio goes from the CD-ROM decoder to the SPU without using main memory.2
Interleave
XA-ADPCM audio sectors are interleaved with gap sectors on the CD-ROM.2
The ratio of data to gap depends on the audio type and the playback speed.3
The ratios are as follows:
| CD-ROM playback speed | Type | Data/gap ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Double speed | 37.8 kHz, stereo | 1 sector/7 sectors |
| Double speed | 37.8 kHz, monaural | 1 sector/15 sectors |
| Double speed | 18.9 kHz, stereo | 1 sector/15 sectors |
| Double speed | 18.9 kHz, monaural | 1 sector/31 sectors |
| Standard speed | 37.8 kHz, stereo | 1 sector/3 sectors |
| Standard speed | 37.8 kHz, monaural | 1 sector/7 sectors |
| Standard speed | 18.9 kHz, stereo | 1 sector/7 sectors |
| Standard speed | 18.9 kHz, monaural | 1 sector/15 sectors |
STR streaming data with audio places movie data in the gap sectors.3