What Is an FSB File?

Open this video game sound file with specialized tools, like FSB Extractor

What to Know

  • An FSB file is an FMOD Sample Bank Format file.
  • Extract sound files from one with FSB Extractor or Game Extractor.
  • Use the Zamzar converter on the extracted files to convert to MP3, WAV, OGG, etc.

This article explains two formats that use the FSB file extension, including how to open both kinds and how to convert your file to a different file format.

What Is an FSB File?

A file with the FSB file extension is an FMOD Sample Bank Format file. These files store sound information, like music and speech, for video games designed for popular console systems like the Xbox, PlayStation, and others.

An FSB file is created alongside an FMOD Audio Events file (.FEV) when an FMOD Project file (.FDP) is built.

FSB files in Windows 10 that open with Game Extractor
FSB Files That Open With Game Extractor.

If your file isn't used with video games, it's probably a Form-Z compiled script file that stores plug-ins compiled from a Form-Z script file (.FSL). They normally come as a ZIP archive.

FSB also stands for file selection box and fast super bus, but neither of those terms have anything to do with the file formats described on this page.

How to Open an FSB File

Most FSB files you encounter within a game were probably created with FMOD Studio or the now-discontinued FMOD Designer. Extract the sounds within the file using a program like FSB Extractor or Game Extractor.

FSB Extractor downloads as a RAR file. You'll need a program like PeaZip to open it. Then, just select the FsbExtractor.exe file to open the tool.

If you'd rather not extract the audio data, but instead listen to the files directly, use Music Player Ex. You may need 7-Zip to open this program, since at least one version of it is made available as a 7Z file.

Form-Z opens FSB files that are compiled scripts. Copy the file into the scripts folder of the program's installation folder. The plug-in should be ready to use after you've restarted the program.

How to Convert an FSB File

You can "convert" FSB to MP3 or WAV with the extractors mentioned above. This lets you play the audio with a standard music player. If the final audio format isn't the one you want the file to be in, use a free audio converter tool.

It's possible Form-Z scripts can be converted to another text-based format, like TXT or HTML. If Form-Z doesn't support it, you might have luck with a text editor.

Still Can't Open It?

If your file doesn't open at this point, there's a good chance you're not dealing with an FSB file. This might happen if you've misread the file extension, mistaking another file for one that ends with .FSB. This is actually pretty easy to do.

For example, maybe you really have an FSS file. Although it looks like it could be related to FSB files, those are partial archives used by a program called Splitty.

Other examples could be given as well, such as FXB, FS (Visual F# source), or SFB (PlayStation 3 disc data).

If you don't have an FSB file, start your research over from scratch, using the actual file extension that's at the end of the file's name. This is the best way to learn what format it's in and what program you need to open it.

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