VAG vs WAV: Sony PlayStation PSX ADPCM vs Uncompressed PCM Audio
Compare Sony PlayStation VAG/VAGp ADPCM audio with standard RIFF WAV. Learn about 4-bit SPU hardware compression, loop flags, sample rates, and DAW compatibility.
Sony VAG is the proprietary 4-bit ADPCM audio format used by the Sony PlayStation 1 and PlayStation 2 Sound Processing Unit (SPU). It compresses 16-bit linear audio samples down to 4 bits with hardware loop markers. Linear PCM WAV is the universal uncompressed RIFF container compatible with modern DAWs, audio editors, and web browsers.
| FEATURE | VAG | WAV |
|---|---|---|
| Compression Type | Lossy 4-bit ADPCM | Uncompressed Linear PCM |
| Bit Depth | 4-bit (expanded to 16-bit) | 16-bit or 24-bit |
| Block Size | 16 bytes (28 audio samples) | Continuous PCM frame stream |
| Loop Markers | Built-in SPU hardware loop flags | Optional smpl chunk in RIFF |
| Playback Compatibility | PlayStation hardware & specialized emulators | Universal HTML5 and OS support |
- Compact 4:1 hardware compression ratio fits within tight 512KB PSX SPU sound RAM
- Integrated 16-byte block headers with hardware loop start and end flags
- Zero CPU decompression overhead due to dedicated Sony SPU hardware decoding
- Native audio asset format for PS1/PS2 game development and emulation
- Universal native playback across all desktop DAWs, mobile players, and web browsers
- Full uncompressed 16-bit or 24-bit linear PCM fidelity with zero compression artifacts
- Complete multi-channel stereo and surround sound container support
- Compatible with modern audio production, mixing, mastering, and editing tools
VAG is an iconic retro gaming format optimized for Sony's vintage SPU sound chips. Convert VAG files to standard RIFF WAV to listen to, sample, remix, or preserve classic PlayStation game sound effects and soundtracks.
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