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The <track> element defines tracks in the CD image. PlayStation ISOs support one data track (which must be first) followed by optional CD-DA audio tracks.

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Data Track

The data track contains the file system and must be specified as the first track. 
<track type="data" xa_edc="true" new_type="false">
  <identifiers
    system="PLAYSTATION"
    application="PLAYSTATION"
    volume="MYDISC"
  />
  <license file="licensea.dat"/>
  <directory_tree>
    <!-- Files and directories -->
  </directory_tree>
</track>

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Data Track Attributes

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type
string
required
Must be set to data for the data track
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xa_edc
boolean
default:"true"
Specifies whether the image has EDC (Error Detection Code) in Form 2 sectors. Set to false only for compatibility with very old mastering tools
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new_type
boolean
default:"false"
Specifies if the image was created with the old (pre-2003) Sony mastering tool. Set to true for modern PlayStation 2 compatible images
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ps2
boolean
default:"false"
Marks the image as a PlayStation 2 disc. Automatically sets new_type to true

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Data Track Child Elements

A data track should contain:
  • <identifiers> - Optional, defines disc identifiers (see Identifiers)
  • <license> - Optional, specifies license file
  • <directory_tree> - Required, defines the file system (see Directory Tree)

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Audio Tracks

Audio tracks define CD-DA (Red Book audio) tracks that can be played on standard CD players. 
<track type="audio" source="track02.wav"/>
<track type="audio" source="track03.wav">
  <pregap duration="00:04:00"/>
</track>

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Audio Track Attributes

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type
string
required
Must be set to audio for audio tracks
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source
string
required
Path to the audio file. Supported formats:
  • WAV (recommended: 44100Hz, 16-bit, stereo)
  • FLAC
  • MP3 (will be converted to Red Book format)
  • PCM (raw format)
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trackid
string
Optional identifier for this track, used to reference it from DA files in the data track (see Audio Tracks)

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Audio Track Child Elements

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pregap

Defines a pregap (pause) before the track starts. The default pregap is 2 seconds (150 sectors). 
<pregap duration="00:04:00"/>
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duration
string
required
Pregap duration in MM:SS:FF format (minutes, seconds, frames where 1 frame = 1/75 second). The pregap is filled with silence

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Track Order Requirements

Important track ordering rules:
  • Only one data track is permitted
  • The data track must be the first track
  • Audio tracks can only appear after the data track
  • You cannot specify a data track after an audio track

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Audio Format Requirements

For lossless CD-DA audio, your source files should be in Red Book format:
  • Sample rate: 44100 Hz
  • Bit depth: 16-bit
  • Channels: Stereo (2 channels)
If your source file is in a different format, mkpsxiso will automatically convert it, but this may introduce quality loss for lossy formats like MP3.

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Example: Multi-Track Disc

<iso_project image_name="musicgame.bin" cue_sheet="musicgame.cue">
  <!-- Data track with game files -->
  <track type="data" xa_edc="true">
    <identifiers
      system="PLAYSTATION"
      application="PLAYSTATION"
      volume="MUSICGAME"
    />
    <license file="licensea.dat"/>
    <directory_tree>
      <file name="system.cnf" source="system.txt"/>
      <file name="game.exe" source="game.exe"/>
      
      <!-- Reference to audio track 2 -->
      <file name="bgm01.da" trackid="02" type="da"/>
    </directory_tree>
  </track>
  
  <!-- Audio track 2 - referenced by DA file -->
  <track type="audio" trackid="02" source="bgm01.wav"/>
  
  <!-- Audio track 3 - not referenced, can be played separately -->
  <track type="audio" source="bonus_track.wav">
    <pregap duration="00:03:00"/>
  </track>
</iso_project>

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CUE Sheet Requirement

When using audio tracks, the cue_sheet attribute must be specified in the <iso_project> element. mkpsxiso will automatically generate a proper CUE sheet file for the multi-track image.

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Next Steps

Identifiers

Configure disc identifiers for the data track

Directory Tree

Build the file system structure

Audio Tracks

Link audio tracks to DA files

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