Opening a DLS File

The DLS file type is primarily associated with DataLive Database.

DLS	File extension: DLS
	File type:	data

What is a DLS file?

DLS files mostly belong to DataLive Database by DataLive. A DLS file contains digital musical instrument banks saved in the Downloadable Sound format used by various music synthesizers and audio APIs such as Direct Music. These downloadable sounds are typically used in video game development and audio production applications. Most programs save downloadable instrument banks in a RIFF container. This format is deprecated. However, you can still play a DLS file using Awave Studio audio playback program.

How to open a DLS file

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

Online DLS Text Viewer

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Programs that open and convert DLS files:

DataLive Database by DataLive
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. DLS files are often referred to as DataLive Database databases because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
Awave Studio (sound) by FMJ
Awave Studio is a cross-platform audio manipulation program. It can import, edit, and convert instrument banks saved in a DLS file. The format has been deprecated by most audio samplers and audio programming APIs. This file format is classified as Audio. Related links: Roland, DirectMusic
Blood II: The Chosen (game data) by Monolith
Blood II: The Chosen is a discontinued first-person shooter video game for classic Windows operating systems. It saves some game data in a DLS file. This file format is classified as Game.
DiskLock (setup data) by NortonLifeLock
DiskLock is a discontinued disk-locking system security program for Windows and macOS. The DLS file contains some information used when setting up DiskLock. This file format is classified as Data.
DLS (data) by Adapta
DLS was a supply chain software package for classic 32bit computers. It uses an ASCII text file that has DLS filename extension. This file format is classified as Simple text file.

DLS file format:

To find out what program is needed to open DLS files, you need to determine the file format. 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. File extension, signature and file format must match; otherwise errors will occur when the file is opened. Knowledge is power - this also applies when dealing with unknown or faulty files. Below you will find our evaluation of the DLS files:

The DLS file extension is not common and predominantly uses a uniform format. The two most popular formats are as follows:

85% of all DLS files are associated with DownLoadable Sound bank files, which internally utilize the well-known RIFF format. RIFF files store data in tagged chunks. There are primarily used to store multimedia such as sound and video. They consist of illegible, cryptic characters. The files are on average 3 MB in size and range from 270 KB to 29 MB. The file type was used 20 years ago but is still in use today. Several words can almost always be found in the files, e.g. ins insh, LIST, wlnk, RIFF, linsLIST, wsmp$, rgn rgnh, vers, DLS colh, DLS dlid, rgn2rgnh and lrgnLIST. A usual file name is gm.dls. Such files are related to instr.

The remaining 15% of all DLS files are different files with different signatures. If you want to find out which format your DLS file belongs to, just click on the button "Choose your .dls file to analyze".

Technical Data for DLS File Extension

File classification:

Database

Related files:

sgt, sty, dlc, dsl, apk, zip, rpf, bak, abi, osd

Mime type:

audio/dls, text/plain

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: UnityDLS.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\BitHeadz\Unity DS-1\Unity DS-1 Editor.exe

ProgramID: dlsfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Justsystem\Shuriken\JSVSHLPR.EXE

a dls data is a special file format by DataLive and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with DLS files

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