BAMTA (File Format)

BAMTA (Binary Audio MeTA data), also known as BAMETA is a file format used on Wii U games like Super Mario Maker and Nintendo Switch games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, normally included into BARS files. It contains audio information.

File Format

Header

The file starts with a header that is 0x1C bytes long.

Offset	Type	Description
0x00	Char[4]	File magic. Always AMTA in ASCII.
0x04	UInt16	Byte-order-mark. FE FF for big endian, FF FE for little endian.
0x06	UInt16	Version number.
0x08	UInt32	File size in bytes.
0x0C	UInt32	DATA offset.
0x10	UInt32	MARK offset.
0x14	UInt32	EXT_ offset.
0x18	UInt32	STRG offset.

DATA

This section contains audio parameters, as well as stream information for BFSTP files.

Offset	Type	Description
0x00	Char[4]	Section magic. Always DATA in ASCII.
0x04	UInt32	Section size in bytes.
0x08	UInt32	Sound name offset.
0x0C	UInt32	Unknown. Only seen as 0.
0x10	Byte	Audio type: 0 = wave, 1 = prefetch stream.
0x11	Byte	Number of channels.
0x12	Byte	Number of used stream informations.
0x13	Byte	Flag: xxAx xBCC. A: File type. 0 = BFWAV/BFSTP, 1 = BWAV B: Loop flag. C: Unknown. Always 2 for stream, 3 for prefetch stream.
0x14	Float	Volume.
0x18	UInt32	Sample rate in hertzs.
0x1C	UInt32	Loop start in frames.
0x20	UInt32	Loop end in frames.
0x24	Float	Loudness.
0x28	Stream Information	Stream information 1.
0x30	Stream Information	Stream information 2.
0x38	Stream Information	Stream information 3.
0x40	Stream Information	Stream information 4.
0x48	Stream Information	Stream information 5.
0x50	Stream Information	Stream information 6.
0x58	Stream Information	Stream information 7.
0x60	Stream Information	Stream information 8.
0x68	Float	Amplitude peak value.

Stream Information

Stream information is only used by the game if the metadata points to a BFSTP file, although it's always present.

Offset	Type	Description
0x00	Int32	Stream channel count.
0x04	Float	Stream influence.

MARK

This section contains unknown data.

Offset	Type	Description
0x00	Char[4]	Section magic. Always MARK in ASCII.
0x04	UInt32	Section size in bytes.
0x08	Int32	Number of entries.

MARK Entry

Offset	Type	Description
0x00	UInt32	Entry index.
0x04	UInt32	Entry name offset.
0x08	UInt32	Entry value.
0x0C	UInt32	Unknown, probably padding. Only seen as 0.

EXT_

This section contains unknown data.

Offset	Type	Description
0x00	Char[4]	Section magic. Always EXT_ in ASCII.
0x04	UInt32	Section size in bytes.
0x08	Int32	Number of entries.

EXT_ Entry

Offset	Type	Description
0x00	UInt32	String offset.
0x04	UInt32	Unknown.

STRG

This section contains null-terminated strings which are linked by other sections.

Offset	Type	Description
0x00	Char[4]	Section magic. Always STRG in ASCII.
0x04	UInt32	Section size in bytes.

Null-terminated strings follow the section header. The strings are linked by a section using an offset, which is relative to the end of the STRG header.

Version List

Version	Found in
1.0	Super Mario Maker
4.0	1-2-Switch ARMS Game Builder Garage Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (S00018080-R00018076-A00000000 Prototype) Nintendo Labo - Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit Nintendo Labo - Toy-Con 02: Robot Kit Nintendo Labo - Toy-Con 03: Vehicle Kit Nintendo Labo - Toy-Con 04: VR Kit Ring Fit Adventure Splatoon 2 Super Mario Maker 2 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch)
5.0	Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch Online Playtest Program Nintendo Switch Sports Splatoon 3 Super Mario 3D All-Stars Super Mario Bros. Wonder The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Tools

The following tools can handle BAMTA files:

• (none)