[Multi-Platform] Sound Ripping Methods

[Pingus!]

Hello all! I thought this may be a good idea in order to answer any questions you may have about how I rip sounds from different consoles. There are, of course, multiple ways of ripping sound effects from different consoles. I thought it may be feasible to point you towards the methods I use as I've found them useful. My goal is to be able to teach you how to rip and understand how the game runs these sounds. I found that, the better I understand the process the ROM or any other game code goes through to play the effects, helps me to understand how to extract them.

1. Flash Games:

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Method 1- Getting the .swf

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The first thing in order to be able to rip sound effects from flash games is to understand what they are. A flash game is any game that can be played over a browser. Generally, the ones I'm referring to are the 2D ones run on Adobe Flash Player. Different game sites store their flash games in different directories, and you won't be able to click a link directly to it. So, we have to catch the flash game by viewing the page's source. Generally, flash games are stored in a .swf file extension, and can be decompiled into their resources (Sounds, sprites, etc.) by using different programs.

Programs Needed/Preferred:
-JPEXS Free Flash Decompiler
-Any version of Mozilla Firefox

Step 1: Load The Game


Step 2: View Page Source
Anywhere on the page containing the flash game, right click and press the "View Page Source" Button


Step 3: Locate the .swf Directory
Press Ctrl + F and search for ".swf" in the code source. You should find a link containing the .swf file! (Make sure the directory contains the game and not anything else!)


Step 4: Saving the .swf
Once you have the .swf opened up in a New Tab, click the top right button and press save page. Save the Page as a ".swf"


Step 5: Decompiling the Resouces
Open up the .swf file in JPEXS Free Flash Decompiler (or any other program of course) and click the "sounds resource" once. Click "Export Selection" and choose the desired directory to store the folder of sounds in!


Step 6: Tahdah!
You now have all of the sounds in your possesion! Enjoy!

Method 2- Using the Debugger

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Right off the bat, this is the last thing people like to hear. But no worries, you'll need just the same tools as before, Just an extra step added. Sometimes, certain producers put all their resources in multiple directories externally, rather than storing it all  in one .swf file. Instead, they're stored in several .swf files and are called by the main swf's code to be put into use. This may also apply to sounds as well, as the .swf files are stored in a cache that you normally can't see. However, knowing the way to bring up this cache will allow you to be able to load up the resources! For this example, I will be using Power Rangers Super Megaforce Legacy from Nickelodeon

Step 1- Load the .swf
Once you get to the desired game, load the page, right click and press the Inspect Element Button


Step 2- The Debugger
Whoah!!!! There's a bunch of buttons! No worries, simply press the "Network" tab, and as you progress through the game, watch the .swf files pile up. Once you find one labeled audio such as the "audio_gameplay" one below, right click and open it in a new tab. Save & Run it through JPEXS and you're all set!

Overall, 2D Flash ripping games isn't terrible once you understand and practice it enough. I hope you understand the above! I will be handing out a *.pdf tutorial of this so people can refer to it offline as well! Cheers!

2. PS1/2 - Contributed by eureka

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What you need to rip sound data:
An ISO of the game you want (mounted, of course, as PS1 and 2 games use really weird layering for disc images.)
PSound

Step 1: Usually, sound data is in "VAG" audio format, or in the PS1's case, XA. To play what's inside, simply open PSound and choose your file.
There's usually 7 Files inside an XA file. for VAG it varies.

Step 2: If the sound data doesn't sound right, Go to Options>Configure:

And try "Sample Rate" until it sounds right.
Also, I'd personally recommend checking "Force Rate"

Step 3: Export the music/sounds to WAV files:

Choose your output directory and click "Convert".

3. Mobile

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iPhone

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Scenario 1: Simple IPA Dump-

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In every case with mobile ripping, you will need to get the assets of the app off of the iPhone. Generally, you can go to a website and download an IPA package of the app. IPA stands for iPhone App (Package being all the contents of the file in it.) However, as you get into different engines the games are ran on, it becomes very game specific. This is however, a necessity to the beginnings of mobile sound ripping.

Tools Needed:
-iFunbox (Personally I use classic, as I've had issues with iTunes blocking the present day version. I as well use an old iPhone)
-A .ipa package file

Step 1
Open up the iPhone in iFunbox Classic and navigate to the User Applications Path. Head to the app you'd like to use and expand the branches of the app untill you get to the "templerun.app" or any other file name ending in *.app (This is just the name of the folder):



Step 2
Right Click, and Press Copy Path to PC. Select the place you want to save all of the contents of the app. Press save, and watch it extract.


Step 3
Tah dah! You've got the sounds! Make sure you convert them to the proper format allowed by TSoR and you're all set!:

Throughout the weeks, I will be creating more and more tutorials as I get farther into understanding the consoles more. Please be patient! If any of the images above disappear, please PM me. Thank you for your cooperation and enjoy!
~Anex

PS: If you'd like to post a tutorial method of your own, feel free to PM me!