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EA Layer 3 Audio Decoder & Converter

This repository includes a set of batch scripts with complete guide for decoding EA Layer 3 audio files (used in games such as The Sims 4, The Sims 3 & The Sims Medieval) into WAVE audio format (.wav) and converting them into standard formats like FLAC (lossless) or AAC (320 kbps).

✨ Features

  • Batch decoding – Automatically processes all .sns, .snr, and .vid compressed audio files in a folder.
  • Audio conversion – Converts processed .wav files to FLAC or M4A formats.
  • Skip existing files – Prevents overwriting previously converted files.
  • Automatic folder creation – Organizes output into FLAC and M4A subfolders.
  • Clean, informative output – Displays only successful conversions and skipped files.

📚 Table of Contents

🎵 How to Extract Music from The Sims Game Series

Step 1: Install Tools

Download and install S4PE, S3PE or SimPE:

Step 2: Locate and Extract _AUD Files

For The Sims 4

  1. Open s4pe.exe → File > Open → select your The Sims 4 installation folder.

  • Audio files are stored in:

    • Base game: ..\The Sims 4\Data\Client\
    • Expansion/Stuff Packs: ..\The Sims 4\EP(SP)XX\ (XX - A corresponding number)
    • Common audio packages: ClientFullBuild1, ClientFullBuild2, ClientFullBuild3, ClientFullBuild4, ClientFullBuild5, ClientDeltaBuild1, ClientDeltaBuild2, ClientDeltaBuild3, ClientDeltaBuild4, ClientDeltaBuild5

  1. Filter only audio files:

    • In the filter section, enter _AUD in the Tag field, check Tag and Filter Active, then click Set.

  2. Sort by size:

    • Click the Memsize column header twice to sort files from largest to smallest.

  3. Select you're desired files. Usually only .sns contain actual audio in it.

  4. Right-click → Export > To file… and extract them into the Decoder folder or the Work folder (recommended).

For The Sims 3 & The Sims Medieval

Follow the same extraction steps using s3pe.exe.

  • Base game files: ..\The Sims 3\GameData\Shared\Packages\
  • Expansions & Stuff Packs: ..\The Sims 3\EPX(SP)XX\GameData\Shared\Packages\
  • Look for files named FullBuild_XX.package or DeltaBuild_XX.package
  • Medieval Base game: ..\The Sims Medieval\GameData\Shared\Packages\

For The Sims 2

  • Step 4 is optional.
  • Audio is located inside an .package file.
  1. Open SimPE → File > Open → Select your The Sims 2 installation folder.

  • Audio files are stored in:

    • Base game: ..\The Sims 2\Base\TSData\Res\Sound\
    • Ultimate Collection: ..\The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection\Fun with Pets\SP9\TSData\Res\Sound\
    • Legacy Collection: ..\The Sims 2 Legacy\Base\TSData\Res\Sound\
    • Expansion/Stuff Packs: ..\The Sims 2 \(EP-SP Name)\TSData\Res\Sound\

  1. You'll see different named .package, if you want to extract music from Pop station select Pop.package

  2. After opening .package you'll see one or more .MP3 audio files, select desired one's → right-click and select Extract. Select folder to extract your music to

    • All extracted audio is already in .mp3 audio format, converting is optional. All you have to do now is follow Step 5 of the guide to properly identify and tag audio.

Step 3: Decode .SNS, .SNR, .VID Files

  1. Place all extracted .sns, .snr, .vid files in the Work folder.
  2. Run DecodeAudio.bat.
  3. Wait for decoding to complete.
  4. Press Y to open the decoded audio folder or N to close.

Your decoded audio is now in .WAV format — note that WAV files are large and may have compatibility issues.

Step 4: Convert Decoded Audio

  1. Run ConvertAudio.bat.

  2. Choose your desired output: FLAC, M4A, or both.

  3. Converted files are saved in:

    ..\ConvertedAudio\FLAC\
..\ConvertedAudio\M4A\

  4. Existing files are skipped automatically.

Step 5: Identify and Tag Your Audio

Decoded files do not include metadata. You may need to compare and listem audio with the radio stations inside The Sims (Open Settings → Music → Select Genre & Listen) You can use a tag editor such as Mp3tag to add:

  • Title, Artist, Album, Composer, BPM, etc.

After tagging, your audio files will be ready for playback with most media players.

⚙️ Usage Summary

  1. Place your .sns, .snr, or .vid files in the Work folder.

  2. Run DecodeAudio.bat to decode them into DecodedAudio.

  3. Run ConvertAudio.bat to convert .wav files to FLAC or M4A.

  4. Choose the format when prompted.

  5. Find converted files in:

    ConvertedAudio\FLAC\
ConvertedAudio\M4A\

🧩 Requirements

  • Windows OS
  • FFmpeg executable (Your own or included (soon))
  • No installation required – simply clone the repo and run the .cmd scripts.

📄 Notes

  • Extracted audio contains no metadata.
  • Intended for personal use with legally owned game files.
  • Scripts are designed to avoid overwriting existing files.