PSP Music Format (and the possibility of ripping it?)
 

With the recent release of the PSP games "Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror" and "Lemmings", I began to investigate into the PSP music format. I've learned several interesting things, but I'm now stuck and thought it'd be easier to find out more by discussing with others. Basically, what I'm trying to find out is how to rip the music from these games (and any others as well) directly from the game data, as I don't have a PSP to do a recording. I'll start by listing what I know so far:

- Most (if not all) games have their music stored as individual *.AT3 files
- AT3 is Sony's ATRAC3plus format, on the UMD
- Memory Sticks can store ATRAC3 files coming from a PC and those can be played by the PSP
- Some people have been able to replace the music in Burnout Legends with their own custom soundtracks, encoded in ATRAC3 (not ATRAC3plus)
- Others have replaced the PSP's Eboot music file with custom ones, again encoded in ATRAC3
- I have downloaded one of those custom music files, and with an ATRAC3 codec, I've been able to play and convert it back to Wave
- I tried the same conversion method with the Syphon Filter music files, but it didn't work. The error message said it couldn't open the files (possibly because of a missing codec)
- This might have to do with a copy protection, most probably drm (digital rights management)
- Or a different hexadecimal header, although I tried playing with them for a good time already
- Or a variation of the codec

That's how far I've been able to get. Here are some things that would be worthy to test:

- Conversion of the *.AT3 files
- Try to play them in any Sony hardware players that support ATRAC3plus
- Try to play them on the PSP's Memory Stick
- Further Hexadecimal editing
- Build a custom ripping tool (that could emulate the PSP's codec/driver)

I'm including some *.AT3 files if anyone wants to make some tests:

http://s55.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2...F1VO0I6DPBDSEM
http://www.sendspace.com/file/gd7vzt

("LOADING_AMB.AT3" and "MAIN_TITLE.AT3" are from Syphon Filter: DM and "snd0.at3" is a custom Eboot music file I got from the net)

Let's now see if achieving this goal is something possible.
Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

I don't think I'll be able to help much, but I'd also really be interested if this were possible.

I own a PSP, and there are lots of good music on many of the games exclusive to the handheld. I thought the Twisted Metal Head-On was pretty good.

You might want to try contacting the folks at Atomic Fire, who have successfully ripped the Megaman games on PSP.

If PSP using .AT3 as the main format, doesn't that mean all of the sounds are streamed?