matlab - get integer representation of .SPH audio files -

i trying train neural network using audio files in .sph format. need integers represent amplitude of sound waves neural net, used sox convert files .wav format calling sox infile.sph outfile.wav remix 1-2 (remix converting 2 channels 1), , tried use [y, fs, nbits, opts] = wavread('outfile.wav') in matlab integer representation.

however, matlab threw data compression format (ccitt mu-law) not supported. used sox infile.sph -b 16 -e signed-integer -c 1 outfile.wav think puts wave file in linear format instead of mu-law. matlab threw error: invalid wave file. reason: cannot open file.

my audio files in 8000 hz u-law single or dual channels, , in 8-bit, think (8-bit single sure).

1. is there way integer representation out of audio files using matlab or other programs? either u-law or linear fine, unless 1 better neural net training. preferably 8 bit, since source files in 8-bit.

2. i don't understand .sph. uncompressed ones (and ignore headers), files storing amplitudes (guess has somehow)? can extract numbers out of files directly without bothering waves? signals stored in sequential fashion such make sense split audio files?

i new audio processing in general, pointers appreciated!

you need identify main task: feeding neural net vectors or matrix. first step work on audio file (without matlab!) in order have wav files. second step neural net setting/training matlab.

i try decompress 'sph' files, convert them 'wav' (for example see instructions here , here).

finally, using sox in command/terminal window better using in matlab console.