Starfield Mod:Porting Custom Audio Files to Xbox

Porting Custom Audio Files to Xbox Starfield is a comprehensive guide covering the complete process of porting custom audio files to Xbox Starfield. This process has been personally tested and successfully used for porting audio mods to Xbox.

Always obtain permission from original mod authors before porting their work to any platform.

Prerequisites

Basic Requirements

• Starfield game installed on PC
• Starfield Creation Kit installed in Starfield/Content directory
• Audiokinetic Launcher with Wwise version 2021.1.14.8108
• Foobar2000 audio player
• vgmstream component for Foobar2000

Detailed Setup Instructions

AudioKinetic Launcher Setup

1. Select Wwise → INSTALL A NEW VERSION
2. Click dropdown → Select All
3. Major dropdown → Select 2021.1
4. Version: 2021.1.14.8108 → Click Install
5. Packages: Authoring
6. Deployment Platforms: Check Microsoft
7. Click Next
8. Keep default PLUG-INS options → Click Install

Project License (if needed)

1. Go to audiokinetic.com and sign in
2. Click your profile name → My Projects
3. If you don't see "Creation Kit Modding Approved" under Project Info:
   • Register a new project and follow prompts
   • Your license key will be your Project ID
4. Return to AudioKinetic Launcher → Projects
5. You should now see Starfield with the project ID next to the version
6. If not visible, click the license rectangle to add it

Starfield Creation Kit

1. Install "Starfield: Creation Kit" from Steam
2. This creates the Tools directory in your Starfield game folder
3. Navigate to: [Starfield Directory]/Tools/wwise/Starfield/
4. Open Starfield.wproj - this is your proper Wwise project
5. Click Alt+2 (XboxCreation)

Step-by-Step Process

Step 0: Converting Existing .wem Files to .wav

Make sure to follow this step carefully, particularly the vgmstream component installation and file naming setup!

Download and install Foobar2000

1. Download and install Foobar2000
2. Install vgmstream component:
   • Download foo_input_vgmstream.fb2k-component
   • Place it inside your foobar2000 folder
   • Double-click the component file to install it
   • Foobar2000 will restart automatically

Convert .wem files

1. Add your .wem files to Foobar2000
2. Select all files (Ctrl+A)
3. Right click > Convert
4. Click "..."
5. Click "Destination"
6. Under "Name format:", enter: %title%[ 1]
   • This ensures clean filenames without extra numbers
7. Click "back" - Select .wav as the output format
8. Click "Convert"
9. Wait for conversion to complete

The name format setting above fixes filenames for Foobar2000 conversions only. You'll still need to use the .bat file (in Step 4) to clean up filenames after Wwise conversion. You can also use the .bat file for both if you prefer a consistent method.

Step 1: Initial Wwise Setup

1. Navigate to Starfield/Content/Tools/wwise/Starfield
2. Open Starfield.wproj
3. Click Project > Import Audio Files

Step 2: Audio File Import

1. Ensure your audio files are in .wav format
2. Set Import As: "Sound Voice" for voice types
3. Click Add Files and select your .wav files
4. Click Import

Step 3: Audio Conversion

1. Under Project, verify "XboxCreation" is selected
2. Click Project > Convert All Audio Files
3. Converted .wem files will be located at: [Your Starfield Path]/Content/Tools/wwise/Starfield/.cache/XboxCreation/Voices/English(US)

Step 4: File Management (.bat File Setup)

This .bat file is required for cleaning up Wwise conversion filenames and can also be used for Foobar2000 conversions if you didn't set up the naming format in Step 0.

Create a .bat file with this template:

@echo off
pushd [YOUR_STARFIELD_PATH]\Content\Tools\wwise\Starfield\.cache\XboxCreation\Voices^English(US^)
for %%f in (_[YOUR_NUMBER_SEQUENCE].wem) do (
    set "name=%%~nf"
    setlocal enabledelayedexpansion
    set "newname=!name:_[YOUR_NUMBER_SEQUENCE]=!"
    ren "%%f" "!newname!.wem"
    endlocal
)
popd
echo All filenames have been updated.
pause

Critical Customization Points

• ^English(US^) - Keep these carets exactly as shown (required for handling parentheses)
• Replace [YOUR_STARFIELD_PATH] with your actual path
  • Example: C:\XboxGames\Starfield
  • Or: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Starfield
• Replace [YOUR_NUMBER_SEQUENCE] with the actual number sequence in your .wem files
  • Example: If files end with _963CAE30, use that exact sequence
  • Replace in BOTH places in the script

Step 5: Creation Kit Setup

1. Launch Starfield Creation Kit
2. Load starfield.esm and select an active plugin
3. Save your plugin (.esp)

Step 6: Archive Creation

1. Click File > Create Archive
2. Set ARCHIVE PLATFORM to Xbox
3. Click Add and select all .wem files
4. Click Pack Files

Step 7: Upload Process

1. Sign into Bethesda.net through File menu
2. Click Upload Plugin and Archive to Bethesda.net
3. Select Xbox
4. Choose your esp/esm file
5. Enable 'Include Archives'
6. Click OK

Important Notes

• Always backup your files before starting
• Creation Kit loading times can be lengthy even on powerful systems
• Double-check the ^English(US^) syntax in your .bat file
• Verify your file paths are correct for your system
• Test the .bat file with a few files first
• Each mod may have different number sequences for .wem files
• You can use this guide for Windows too!

See Also

• Starfield Mod:Starfield Creation Kit - Official modding tools
• Starfield Mod:File Formats - Information about Starfield file formats
• Starfield Mod:Archiving Textures with Archive 2 for Xbox and Game Pass - Related Xbox modding guide

External Links

• Original tutorial on Nexus Mods
• Foobar2000 Audio Player
• Audiokinetic Wwise