ADX

From the Audiovisual Identity Database, the motion graphics museum

Background

ADX is a lossy audio storage and compression format created by CRI Middleware specifically for use in video games; it is derived from ADPCM. On top of the main ADPCM encoding, the ADX toolkit also includes a sibling format, AHX, which uses a variant of MPEG-2 audio intended specifically for voice recordings and a packaging archive, AFS, for bundling multiple ADX and AHX tracks into a single container file.

Version 2 of the format (ADX2) uses the HCA and HCA-MX extension, which are usually bundled into a container file with the extensions ACB and AWB. The AWB extension is not to be confused with the Audio format with the same extension and mostly contains the binary data for the HCA files.

Logo (February 26, 1998-January 17, 2008)

Visuals: On a black background, a series of waves are seen inside of a rounded box. One of them is a segmented wave descending down, while the other is a thick wave that raises up. Below it, the text "ADX" is seen, with the "X" inside of a white box. Everything is in monochrome.

Variants:

  • On earlier games supporting the engine, a copyright notice can be shown below.
  • The logo usually shares the screen with the Sofdec logo.
  • There exists a variant where the logo is on a white background.

Technique: A still, digital graphic.

Audio: None.

Availability:

  • Can be seen on Sega Saturn, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Xbox, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, Wii and arcade titles using the engine. Known to be found on various Sega titles from the period, like Sonic Mega Collection and Burning Rangers.
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