Opening MSA Files

The MSA file type is primarily associated with Bruker Esprit.

MSA	File extension: MSA
	File type:	multifunction data file

What is an MSA file?

MSA files mostly belong to Bruker Esprit. MSA files are not a single format; they are a file extension used by different applications to store distinct types of data.
Common Uses:

Spectral Data Files: These files often hold spectral measurement data as used by EMSA/MAS systems. They are managed with tools such as Bruker Esprit.
Audio Metadata and Sequence Alignments: In some cases, an MSA file stores audio metadata (used by A3D). In others, it contains multiple sequence alignment data for bioinformatics, sometimes identified as FASTA or ClustalW output.
Motion and Animation Data: Certain MSA files contain motion capture or animation data (for example, the Metin2 Animation File Format by Ymir Work).
Executable or Music Files (Atari ST): Some MSA files function as executables or as music files on Atari ST platforms, associated with applications like FastCopy and FastCopy PRO. More details can be seen on the related page at ipmsg.org.
Game Save Files: There are MSA files that save game states (often compressed with zlib) used by games such as Master of Orion 2 and supported by tools like MegaMek. Visit GOG for further information.
CAD and Texture Files: Other instances include CAD attachment files (as used by Mensura in MicroStation) or texture/sprite files seen with 3D Studio Max and games like Age of Empires II. More info is available at Autodesk 3DS Max.
Lecture Recordings and Agent Animations: Some MSA files record lectures or store Microsoft Agent character animation data, typically created and played back with Microsoft PowerPoint.

FilExt.com note: Because the extension is used in multiple fields, it is important to know the source or generating software to open the file properly. A quick look at file properties or the content (for example, using a text editor) can offer clues to the true nature of the file.

How to open MSA files

You need a suitable software like Bruker Esprit to open an MSA 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 MSA file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a MSA file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online MSA Text Viewer

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Programs that open and convert MSA files:

Bruker Esprit
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. MSA files are often referred to as Bruker Esprit data files because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
Atari (MSA Disk Image) by Atari
The identifying characters used for this association are - Hex: 0E 0F 00. Related links: Emulation Newbies Start Here!, Emulator Zone
Magic Shadow Archive
Memory Stick Audio Format by Sony Corporation
Memory Stick Audio Format specifies the audio recording/playback system that uses a copyright-protecting Memory Stick as a recording media. It defines recording method and requirements for recording/playback devices. MagicGate is a music copyright protection technique applicable for a PC or record/playback device that uses semiconductor media (Memory Stick). By adopting the encryption of contents and the authentication of a MagicGate compliant Memory Stick and its device, to mutually validate that they are a music copyright- protecting semiconductor media and device, it becomes possible to playback or move music contents only by an authenticated Memory Stick and device to avoid illegal playback or copying. Under the Memory Stick Audio Standards, the HIFI directory is created under the root directory, and the following four types of files are stored in it; The Playback Management File (PBLIST.MSF), a group of ATRAC3 data file in which more than one piece of encrypted music data (A3Dnnnnn.MSA) is stored, the Revocation Management File that records illegal Memory Stick IDs (MGCRL.MSF), and the EKB file. The number of ATRAC3 data files is restricted up to 400 files. ATRAC3 data files are created at the users' option for each device, after they are registered in the Playback Management File. Whenever the Playback Management File is created, the Revocation Management File must be created accordingly. The EKB file is the information file for acquiring the encryption key for the generation of the encrypted ATRAC3 data. This file format is classified as Audio. Related links: Memory Stick Developers Site, Memory Stick Global Portal

MSA file format details:

The file format determines how the data is stored in the file. The file format can be determined based on the file extension and the signature (the first few characters of a file). If the file extension or signature does not match the file format, errors will occur when opening or editing the file. Exact knowledge of the format is therefore important in order to solve problems occurring in files. Below you will find our evaluation of the MSA files:

Files with the MSA extension are quite widely used. This file type is used by different programs with different formats. The two most popular formats are as follows:

20% of all MSA files start with the bytes #FORMAT, which are crucial for this file format. The contents of these files can even be read by a human. Most of these files are 17 KB to 90 KB in size. The file type was developed only in the last few years. Certain words are almost always found in the files, such as DATE, TIME, #VERSION : 1.0, TITLE, OWNER, #FORMAT : EMSA/MAS SPECTRAL DATA FILE, NPOINTS, NCOLUMNS, EDAX TEAM and EDAX TEAM EDS. These files are often associated with spectrum, area, profile, live, spectra and only.
20% of all MSA files start with the magic bytes HD-0, which are always the first bytes of this file format. They consist of illegible, cryptic characters. The files are often between 2 MB and 4 MB in size. The following filename is common: A3D0000A.MSA or A3D0000C.MSA.

All other MSA files (60%) have no uniform format, the following 12 formats exist: Ogg, zlib, ScriptType and hoven. These files sometimes refer to lecture, damage, autosave, combo, music, antic, death or demo. You can get all the details of your MSA file by dragging it onto this page or by clicking the button "Choose your .msa file to analyze" above.

Technical Data for MSA File Extension

File classification:

Data

Related files:

fa, aln, cad, ogg, max, ppt, rhg - msa-1, msm, zip, lst, mse, txt, msg, mp3, mso, gr2, dat, doc, msh, msf, png, jpg, exe, sav

Mime type:

application/vnd.msa-disk-image

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: Harmony_Assistant_File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Harmony Assistant\harmony.exe %1

ProgramID: msafile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\WinSTon\winston.exe %1

an msa multifunction data file is a special file format and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with MSA files

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