Opening BNK Files

The BNK file type is primarily associated with Wwise.

BNK	File extension: BNK
	File type:	game sounds bank

What is a BNK file?

BNK files mostly belong to Wwise by Audiokinetic. BNK is the filename extension an audio instrument preset used by Guitar Rig amplifier and effects modeling software. Wwise game audio authoring software uses a different BNK file format. BNK filename extension is also associated with music and videos compressed using Smacker game video codec and saved in Bink containers. These videos are usually processed using RAD Video Tools and they are mainly used to render cutscenes in video games. Electronic Arts video games such as Need for Speed save game sounds and music in BNK files. Codemasters video games such as F1 2015 and DiRT Rally also save game sounds in BNK files. BNK is also the filename extension of question banks used by some versions of ExamView test generation and assessment software. AdLib Visual Composer, an obsolete music composition software, saves instrument banks in a different BNK format. An instrument bank contains instruments, timbres, and their settings.

How to open BNK files

You need a suitable software like Wwise to open a BNK file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your BNK file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a BNK file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online BNK Text Viewer

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Programs that open and convert BNK files:

Wwise by Audiokinetic
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. BNK files are often referred to as Wwise audios because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
Awave Studio (instrument bank) by FMJ
Awave Studio is a music production software that supports most audio sample and music formats. It can be used to unpack instrument banks stored in AdLib instrument bank (BNK) format. This format is obsolete. This file format is classified as Audio. Related links: Format, Descent Network Team, AdLib Visual Composer
ExamView (question bank) by Turning
ExamView is an educational software used to administer and assess academic tests. Question banks used by ExamView are saved in BNK files. This file format is classified as Data.
Guitar Rig (instrument preset bank) by Native Instruments
Guitar Rig is an amp and effects software used to emulate various kinds of guitar and bass instruments in music production applications. Instrument preset banks used by Guitar Rig are saved in BNK files. This file format is classified as Audio.
Need For Speed (game sound/music) by Electronic Arts
Need For Speed is a series of car race video games for PC, mobile, and console platforms. Some game sounds and music used by Need For Speed are saved in BNK files. This file format is classified as Audio.
RAD Video Tools (compressed audio/video) by RAD Game Tools
RAD Video Tools is a video manipulation software package for creating, modifying, and packaging video and audio content for video games. It can save audio and video content in BNK files. This file format is classified as Video.
SimCity (game data) by Electronic Arts
Classic editions of SimCity city-building simulation games save some game data in BNK files. This format isn't used in recent versions of the program. This file format is classified as Game.

BNK file format:

If you can determine the file format, the associated program can also be determined. A file format is determined by the file extension and signature, so JPEG images have the extension .jpg and the first bytes in the file are ÿØÿ. If the file extension or signature does not match the file format, errors will occur when opening or editing the file. So a detailed analysis of a file is vital in order to determine the format and the associated program. Our evaluation of the BNK files looks like this:

BNK is one of the most common file extensions and is primarily used by a single program. However, the following two file formats are common:

65% of all BNK files are Wwise sound Bank files. The content consists of illegible binary data, which can only be read and interpreted by the associated programs. A typical file size is 940 KB. This file type is based on cutting-edge technology. Certain words are almost always found in the files, such as BKHD, DIDX and DATA. A usual file name is voiceover.bnk. These files are often associated with music, maincity, lobby, bank, hero, audio, base and battle.
15% of all BNK files are ExamView Question Bank files. If you open these files in a text editor, you will see only illegible characters. A typical file size is 23 KB. Several words can almost always be found in the files, e.g. FSCBNK#W#06#00#x. A common filename is Chapter 01.bnk. Such files sometimes refer to lesson, weekly, unit, exam, soal and quiz.

All other BNK files (20%) have different formats, often e.g. Test Drive Unlimited game data archive, Sound Club 2 sound bank, Native Instruments Preset Bank, The Need For Speed sounds Bank, SPCO, XBNK, stream, IZCA and elapsed. Sometimes used for weapon, init, skin, emoji, system, storage, sound or state. If you want to find out what your BNK file contains, drag and drop it onto this page.

Technical Data for BNK File Extension

File classification:

Audio

Related files:

bank, dvpl, wem, wpk, pending-messages_seq_nr, zip, wotmod, validationcache, bmk, upk, x64, pck, pb, mp3, spa, pak, dat, bytes, unity3d, obb

Mime type:

application/octet-stream, application/vnd.wwise.bnk

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: bnkfile
EXEFile: C:\ExamView\evpro.exe %1

ProgramID: bnkfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ExamView Trial\evpro_trial.exe

a bnk game sounds bank is a special file format by Audiokinetic and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with BNK files

Associate the BNK file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open game sounds banks. Because only the current version supports the latest BNK file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Audiokinetic manufacturer website after an available Wwise update.
To make sure that your BNK file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .BNK file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.