Adding your OWN custom music in game. [02 UM and 98 UMFE] Updated 10th Jan 2021

Overview

A simple guide that teaches the process of editing the ingame music or replacing them with your own custom music by editing wavebank files. (You can’t add new music sadly)IMPORTANT (READ BEFORE CONTINUING WITH GUIDE)As of 11th november 2020, KoF 2002UM (steam version and soon gog most likely) officially support rollback and there seems to be change in file format. it made modding ingame music drastically cake walk, but at the same time 98UMFE still uses old format so I decided to divide this guide into two section for now. 02UM section that uses new format and other one for 98UMFE that still uses wavebank format (for now) While I’m at it. I apologize for any dumpster fire “engrish” that you may come across this guide.Note: I don’t recommend reading this guide via smartphone. Images may appear out of place on mobile. Use desktop when using this guide.

KoF 2002 UM (Post rollback patch)

Code mystic has officially ditched microsoft’s awful wavebank music compression that means modding music is absolute cake walk and this also fix god knows how many music glitches.

Follow the steps below if you’re KoF 2002 UM user. If you’re 98 UMFE user then scroll all the way down till you found 98 UMFE section.

Modding Tools [KoF 2002UM users ONLY]

Audacity [converting your music file into .ogg format or for editing]
[link]

…and that’s it.

1. OST location

1. Visit your game directory where you’ve installed the game. Most easy way to access them is right clicking on KoF 02UM from your library > Manage > Browse local file.

2. Go Data > BGM > UM48000Hz

You should also see two folders inside BGM, one contain OST for original 2002 titled “48000Hz” and other one title “UM48000Hz” i.e 2002 UM OST. We’re going to work with UM48000Hz here in this case.

2. UM48000Hz folder.

Once you’re inside UM48000Hz folder you should see 51 .OGG file and one odd file name “BGM02.wav.orig” (not sure why its there) so in total you get 52 files.

Before you do anything wild, I’d hightly recommend you make a backup of this folder in case you screw up really hard.

In a nutshell all these .ogg files you see inside UM48000Hz folder are the OST that you listen during gameplay and you can easily replace them with different set of music as long as its .ogg format.

Sadly, none of them have title so you’re force to listen each track to guess what track number is what or you can check my comprehensive list that helps you identifying the music from this jumbled mess list.

[link]

3. Adding custom trax

Once you know track title either by manually listening each track or using my .txt file list you can easily replace any music in game.

1. Boot up audacity (Install it if you haven’t)

2. Drag and drop your custom music that you wish to add into game.

3. Go File > Export > Export as OGG > give title to your track. In our example we’re going to replace track BGM22 (Re;Bloody) so name your file as “BGM22”, set quality to 10 and save the file.

4. If asked about editing metadata tags, simply hit clear (just to keep things clean) and Ok.

5. Take this custom .ogg file that you made and drop it in your Data > BGM > UM48000Hz folder.

You’re done.

If you’re only interested in modding 02 UM music then this guide is officially over for you. Feel free to post comment and ask for help. I’ve also updated FAQ section at bottom of page so please check FAQ section before asking anything silly.

KoF 98 UM FE (Wavebank format)

KoF 98 UMFE still uses microsoft’s awful wavebank format but sooner or later that should change once we get rollback update and hopefully CM give same treatment like they did for 02UM.

Regardless modding KoF 98UMFE music rather pain and struggle, even with detail guide like mine you’re still bound to screw up along the way.

Continue with steps below if you’re still in for it but know this; In 5-6 months (as of 11th november 2020) or even less, we’re bound to get new update and this section of guide will turn total obsolete. I’ll update when that day comes.

Modding Tools [KoF 98 UMFE users ONLY]

DX SDK (XACT) [To rebuild wavebank file that contains all your music]
[link]
Before installing the SDK package make sure you go Start (Window key) > type “add or remove” > click “add or remove programs” and uninstall all Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable programs. If you don’t. You WILL get S1023 error by end of installation process.
Don’t worry package itself reinstall C++2010 when its done.

Unxwb [To extract content from wavebank]
[link]

Gpedit.msc enabler [ONLY FOR WINDOWS 10 HOME EDITION USERS]
[link]
You need this if you’re running windows 10 home edition but if you’re running windows 10 pro edition you can ignore this completely

Disable numerical sorting [To sort the file in right order]
[link]

LameXP [To make your .wav file actually readable in XACT]
[link]
I’ll be using v4.18 for this guide.

Audacity [Optional but still recommended for .wav editing]
[link]

Wavosaur [Optional but still recommended for adding loop point]
[link]

1. Extracting files.

Visit your game dirc which is usually located in your steam library.
Ex “C:Program Files (x86)SteamsteamappscommonThe King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match”

Inside your game dirc.

1. Go “Data” > then “game”.

2. inside your “game” folder copy the file name “BGM_Wavebank.xwb” and paste it on your
desktop. (or any place where its easy to access)

3. Open and extract Unxwb.7z file that you’ve downloaded from modding tool section.

4. Open unxwb.exe.

5. It should ask you to locate .xwb archive file.

6. Locate the “BGM_Wavebank.xwb” file that you pasted over desktop.

7. it should ask for extract location. Make a new folder and extracts it there for simplicity sake.

8. Once done you should have collection of .wav file that currently look like this.

KOF 98 UMFE contains 88 wave file.

2. Sorting file in RIGHT ORDER [This is the part where most people screw up]

Sorting your file in right order is pretty important, otherwise when you’re rebuilding the wavebank you might end up with jumbled sound all over the places or sometimes mute music.

In order to sort the .wav file in right order you need to edit window’s local group policy. (If you’re linu

1. Go Start (Window key on your keyboard) > type “run” and pick run.exe OR press windows key + R to open run command.

2. Type “gpedit.msc” and press enter. If you gets an error then follow the additional steps below. (WIN 10 Pro edition users shouldn’t get this error)

Additional steps for windows 10 home user. (if you’re using windows 10 pro or beyond then ignore this)

• Download the optional file for windows 10 home user file that I’ve provided in Modding tool section. (scroll up)
• Extract the file and run “gpedit-enabler.bat” as admin.
  Now you should able to access local group policy.

3. Go “User Configuration” > Administrative Template > Windows Components > File Explorer.

4. Inside File Explorer find the setting “Turn off numerical sorting in File Explorer”.

5. Double click over it and set it from “Not Configured” to “Enable”.

6. Do exactly what you did from Step 3 to Step 5 but this time instead of going “User Configuration” go “Computer Configuration” > Administrative Template > Windows Components > File Explorer.

7. Download Disable numerical sorting file from Modding tool section (scroll up) and extract the “Disable_numerical_sorting_in_File_Explorer.reg” file and run it as admin.

You’re done.

Check the folder where extracted your .wav file using Unxwb.

It should look like this but if for some reason nothing is changed then you’ve to restart your pc or press F5 once. (or sign out from windows and re-log)

3. Adding custom music

At first glace the .wav files that you’ve extracts are jumbled mess and doesn’t have title. This is the part where you’ve to listen to each track and guess what music you’re going to replace.

I know its rather pain not knowing the track name thats the best we can do.

Known tracks I can think top of my head.
00000000.wav – Game intro music
0000000e.wav – ESAKA!! (Hero’s Team)
00000018.wav – Tranquilizer (Yagami’s Team)

..and so on.

In a nutshell if you want to replace any music. First, you’ve to find the track.

In our case we pick 0000000e.wav (Hero’s Team Theme) for our example then we are going to use a little program called Audacity.

1. Open Audacity.

2. Drag and drop the .mp3 or whatever music file format. (I’ll be adding KOF XIV music as an example)

Optional step. You can skip these step entirely if you’re lazy but I’d still recommend learning about amplify feature at very least so you don’t have to deal with bad volume optimization.

• Edit the music file to your hearts content. (I’m not going to teach you how to use audacity, look up youtube for basic guide on using audacity but I will however at least teach bare minimum basic)
• To amplify the sound without ruining the quality press F1, Hit Control + A then go “Effect” on menu > “Amplify…” > Ok.
• If you wish to trim the music file then press F1, drag your mouse over the track (you can press control + 1 to zoom in and control + 3 to zoom out) and hit control + T to trim out the selection you just made. Press F5 to activate drag tool so you can move your trim track on origin.

3. Go File > Export > Export as WAV.

4. Name it 0000000e.wav or whatever track you’re planning to replace.

5. If asked about editing metadata tags, simply hit clear (just to keep things clean) and Ok.

6. Place your new .wav file inside extracted folder and replace it.

4. Compressing the file format into PCM/Wave

Before rebuilding the .xwb file or “BGM_WaveBank.xwb” we need to change the .wav compression we currently have and compress it in format that is readable by XACT.

1. Install LameXP. (if you haven’t)

2. Drag and drop all 91 .wav files in LameXP. (88 files if you’re modding KOF 98 UMFE)

3. Under “Output Directory” tab select the output folder.

4. Under “Compression” tab select PCM/Wave, Constant Bitrate (CBR) and slide the Quality / Bitrate to “Uncompressed”.

5. Hit “Encode Now”.

It should take roughly 1-2 min or less. (depends on your pc config)

Now you should have whole new set of .wav file collection that is readable by XACT rebuilding.

Note: In your output folder there should be file called “00 Playlist.m3u” file.
Delete it. You don’t need this.

5. Add loop point (Optional step but highly recommended)

When you extract your wavebank it breaks all of its loop point it had in process, but what are loop point? Basically its the point where game pick two point from your BGM’s timestamp and play it for endless duration once it done playing the track “once.” This keep the bgm seamless without any jarring cuts.

For example track number “00000002.wav” is responsible for playing music at your character select screen, if you don’t set loop point and just compile the file, its going to play right from the beginning once it ends, which is awkward and weird. To deal with our problem we use Waveosaur to add loop point (audacity doesn’t work sadly)

Open wavosaur and drag and drop any track you obtain from LameXP file conversion

Drag your mouse over the timestamp and press L to add loop point, you should have two yellow label pop up on your timestamp i.e “point start” and “point end” > save and you’re done.

I highly recommend you take a dive into learning a bit more about this software in general, this part of tutorial is only touching the surface level and you’re still require fiddling.

6. Rebuilding “BGM_WaveBank.xwb” or “bgm_wavebank.xwb” (Wavebank)

Final step is rebuilding .xwb file and putting it back inside game’s folder.

1. Install DXSDK provided in modding tool section.

2. Visit “C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft DirectX SDK (June 2010)Utilitiesbinx86”

3. Open Xact3.exe.

• You can also go Start (Windows key), type “Microsoft cross” and pick the first app you see.

4. Go File > New Project > Name the file “BGM” You should have two new folders “Win” and “Xbox” where you placed your project (in my case, my desktop)

5. Right click on Wave Banks > New Wave Bank.

6. Name it “BGM_WaveBank” then you should have new window pop up on your right. if not then double clicking on it should make it visible as well. (check screenshot below)

7. Open your compressed .wav folder that you obtained from LameXP, Hit Control + A. (to select all) Drag from top file i.e 00000000.wav and drop in XACT’s right pop up window.

IMPORTANT.
• The window should look exactly like this and exact same order of file. If they don’t then you did something wrong and possibly didn’t drag n drop the file from 00000000.wav.

8. Click “BGM_WaveBank” and set “Type” to “Streaming”.

9. Right click “Compression Presets” > New Compression Preset.

10. Once done you should have the following setting as image below. (keep it default)

11. Click “BGM_WaveBank” again. Under General, set the Compression Preset from “none” to “Compression Preset”.

12. Hit F7 and Finish.

Wait 5-10 min and you should have new “BGM_WaveBank.xwb” file under “Win” folder.

Final few steps.

BACK UP YOUR ORIGINAL “BGM_Wavebank.xwb” BEFORE MAKING ANY CHANGES.

Copy this new “BGM_WaveBank” that obtain from “Win” folder and paste it game directory.

The King of Fighters 98 Ultimate Match > Data > game > paste new “BGM_WaveBank.xwb” here > replace the file if asked.

You’re done.

If you’re having issue like game going full mute or music is in wrong order then please follow the section “IMPORTANT NOTES AND FAQ” below.

IMPORTANT NOTES AND FAQ

1. My game is mute completely. (98UMFE)
A. There can be number of cause that leads to this.

• Rename your wavebank file either “BGM_WaveBank” or “bgm_wavebank” BEFORE compiling the file in XACT, not AFTER.
• You have sort out your file in wrong order, please check the file order before you re-building.

2. Game isn’t mute but music is jumbled all over places. (98UMFE)
A. Again, you’ve sorted your file in wrong order.

3. Game crash instantly at start now. (98UMFE)
A. If your wavebank file limit exceed 450-500mb then you may get CTD (crash to desktop) don’t push the game limit too far and try to keep wavebank size around 400mb max (even though actual limit should be 1gb or below)

4. Why some tracks are duplicate? like BGM04 and BGM04loop (2002 UM)
A. They are not duplicate. Its possible game use certain track in loop during gameplay, example ESAKA playing right from the beginning after it ends would be really jarring and not so seamless. Its possible game uses these “LOOP” version once its done playing first file i.e BGM04. Regardless whatever changes you make to original .ogg file, loop version needs to treated in same manner.

5. I can’t change few tracks no matter what I do, mainly BGM00. (2002 UM)
A. Because you can’t. Some tracks are hard coded into game’s video file, BGM00 and BGM00loop only exist so user can listen to them in sound setting. If you’re still interested in modding intro then go data > movies dirc.

6. I can’t add LOOP point and game is randomly picking any loop point. Is there any way to control this like it was possible with wavebank format? (2002 UM)
A. Currently no, but I’m still trying to find someway to deal with hard coded .ogg file. Once I find some method I’ll make an update.

7. Ur Mum
A. No u

Other guides that you might be interested in.

King of Fighter 98 UMFE AST mod. (An update to original AST mod that fixes many issue with original mod and adds new content that are 1:1 clone of PS2 release.)
[link]

Link to this guide page.
[link]