diff --git a/code/nel/include/nel/3d/cluster.h b/code/nel/include/nel/3d/cluster.h
index 14b3fb13c..552d7474a 100644
--- a/code/nel/include/nel/3d/cluster.h
+++ b/code/nel/include/nel/3d/cluster.h
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 #include "nel/misc/string_mapper.h"
 #include "nel/misc/plane.h"
 #include "nel/misc/aabbox.h"
-#include "nel/misc/sheet_id.h"
 
 #include "nel/3d/transform.h"
 
@@ -126,9 +125,9 @@ public:
 	//\name Sound related.
 	//@{
 	void				setSoundGroup(const std::string &soundGroup);
-	void				setSoundGroup(const NLMISC::CSheetId &soundGroupId);
+	void				setSoundGroup(const NLMISC::TStringId &soundGroupId);
 	const std::string	&getSoundGroup();
-	NLMISC::CSheetId	getSoundGroupId();
+	NLMISC::TStringId	getSoundGroupId();
 	void				setEnvironmentFx(const std::string &environmentFx);
 	void				setEnvironmentFx(const NLMISC::TStringId &environmentFxId);
 	const std::string	&getEnvironmentFx();
@@ -189,7 +188,7 @@ private:
 	std::vector<NLMISC::CPlane> _Volume;
 
 	/// Sound group name id
-	NLMISC::CSheetId	_SoundGroupId;
+	NLMISC::TStringId	_SoundGroupId;
 	/// Environement Fx name Id (using CStringMapper)
 	NLMISC::TStringId	_EnvironmentFxId;
 
diff --git a/code/nel/include/nel/misc/sheet_id.h b/code/nel/include/nel/misc/sheet_id.h
index 0edb2952d..869a61af6 100644
--- a/code/nel/include/nel/misc/sheet_id.h
+++ b/code/nel/include/nel/misc/sheet_id.h
@@ -60,6 +60,12 @@ public :
 	 */
 	explicit CSheetId( const std::string& sheetName );
 
+	/**
+	 * Constructor, uses defaultType as extension when sheetName
+	 * contains no file extension.
+	 */
+	explicit CSheetId( const std::string& sheetName, const std::string &defaultType );
+
 	// build from a string and returns true if the build succeed
 	bool	 buildSheetId(const std::string& sheetName);
 
@@ -141,6 +147,7 @@ public :
 	 *	Serial
 	 */
 	void serial(NLMISC::IStream	&f) throw(NLMISC::EStream);
+	void serialString(NLMISC::IStream &f, const std::string &defaultType = "") throw(NLMISC::EStream);
 
 	/**
 	 *  Display the list of valid sheet ids with their associated file names
@@ -221,7 +228,16 @@ private :
 	static void loadSheetAlias ();
 	static void cbFileChange (const std::string &filename);
 
+	/**
+	 * When initialized without sheet_id.bin, the sheet id are assigned 
+	 * dynamically. Separate maps are used, because in sheet_id.bin 
+	 * mode it uses static maps optimized during load.
+	 */
 	static bool _DontHaveSheetKnowledge;
+	static std::map<std::string, uint32> _DevTypeNameToId;
+	/// outer vector is type, inner vector is sheet id
+	static std::vector<std::vector<std::string> > _DevSheetIdToName;
+	static std::map<std::string, uint32> _DevSheetNameToId;
 };
 
 
diff --git a/code/nel/include/nel/sound/background_sound.h b/code/nel/include/nel/sound/background_sound.h
index 54e91e712..bf83f0413 100644
--- a/code/nel/include/nel/sound/background_sound.h
+++ b/code/nel/include/nel/sound/background_sound.h
@@ -69,17 +69,7 @@ public:
 
 		void serial(NLMISC::IStream &s)
 		{
-			std::string soundName;
-			if (s.isReading())
-			{
-				s.serial(soundName);
-				SoundName = NLMISC::CSheetId(soundName);/*NLMISC::CStringMapper::map(soundName)*/;
-			}
-			else
-			{
-				soundName = SoundName.toString();/* NLMISC::CStringMapper::unmap(SoundName)*/;
-				s.serial(soundName);
-			}
+			SoundName.serialString(s, "sound");
 			s.serial(Filter);
 		}
 	};
diff --git a/code/nel/include/nel/sound/clustered_sound.h b/code/nel/include/nel/sound/clustered_sound.h
index 0736c5a5c..ed674f879 100644
--- a/code/nel/include/nel/sound/clustered_sound.h
+++ b/code/nel/include/nel/sound/clustered_sound.h
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 
 #include "nel/misc/types_nl.h"
 #include "nel/misc/string_mapper.h"
+#include "nel/misc/sheet_id.h"
 #include <vector>
 #include <map>
 
@@ -249,14 +250,13 @@ private:
 	/// The segment of all the audio path.
 	std::vector<std::pair<NLMISC::CVector, NLMISC::CVector> >	_AudioPath;
 
-	typedef CHashMap<NLMISC::CSheetId, CClusterSound, NLMISC::CSheetIdHashMapTraits>	TClusterSoundCont;
+	typedef CHashMap<NLMISC::TStringId, CClusterSound, NLMISC::CStringIdHashMapTraits>	TClusterSoundCont;
 	/// The current cluster playing source indexed with sound group id
 	TClusterSoundCont		_Sources;
 
-	typedef CHashMap<NLMISC::CSheetId, NLMISC::CSheetId, NLMISC::CSheetIdHashMapTraits> TStringStringMap;
-	//typedef CHashMap<NLMISC::TStringId, NLMISC::TStringId, NLMISC::CStringIdHashMapTraits> TStringStringMap;
+	typedef CHashMap<NLMISC::TStringId, NLMISC::CSheetId, NLMISC::CStringIdHashMapTraits> TStringSheetMap;
 	/// The sound_group to sound assoc
-	TStringStringMap	_SoundGroupToSound;
+	TStringSheetMap	_SoundGroupToSound;
 };
 
 } // NLSOUND
diff --git a/code/nel/include/nel/sound/sound.h b/code/nel/include/nel/sound/sound.h
index c4c494912..403034a8d 100644
--- a/code/nel/include/nel/sound/sound.h
+++ b/code/nel/include/nel/sound/sound.h
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ class CSound
 	friend class CAudioMixerUser;
 public:
 	/// Factory for specialized sound.
-	static CSound *createSound(const std::string &filename, NLGEORGES::UFormElm& formRoot);
+	static CSound *createSound(const std::string &name, NLGEORGES::UFormElm& formRoot);
 
 	enum TSOUND_TYPE
 	{
diff --git a/code/nel/include/nel/sound/sound_bank.h b/code/nel/include/nel/sound/sound_bank.h
index 8a4573849..05993bb07 100644
--- a/code/nel/include/nel/sound/sound_bank.h
+++ b/code/nel/include/nel/sound/sound_bank.h
@@ -68,16 +68,16 @@ public:
 	bool				isLoaded();
 
 	/// Return a sound corresponding to a name.
-	CSound				*getSound(const NLMISC::CSheetId &name);
+	CSound				*getSound(const NLMISC::CSheetId &sheetId);
 
 	/// Return the names of the sounds
-	void				getNames( std::vector<NLMISC::CSheetId> &names );
+	void				getNames( std::vector<NLMISC::CSheetId> &sheetIds );
 
 	/// Return the number of sounds in this bank.
 	uint				countSounds();
 
 	void				addSound(CSound *sound);
-	void				removeSound(const NLMISC::CSheetId &name);
+	void				removeSound(const NLMISC::CSheetId &sheetId);
 
 
 private:
@@ -89,7 +89,8 @@ private:
 	typedef CHashMap<NLMISC::TStringId, TSimpleSoundContainer, NLMISC::CStringIdHashMapTraits>		TBufferAssocContainer;
 	/// Sound names hash map
 //	typedef std::hash_map<std::string, CSound*>								TSoundTable;
-	typedef CHashMap<NLMISC::CSheetId, CSound*, NLMISC::CSheetIdHashMapTraits>						TSoundTable;
+//	typedef CHashMap<NLMISC::CSheetId, CSound*, NLMISC::CSheetIdHashMapTraits>						TSoundTable;
+	typedef std::vector<CSound *> TSoundTable; // list the sheets by shortId of the sheetId
 
 	/// Assoc from buffer to sound. Used for sound unloading.
 	TBufferAssocContainer		_BufferAssoc;
diff --git a/code/nel/samples/sound/sound_sources/main.cpp b/code/nel/samples/sound/sound_sources/main.cpp
index 3ece14f73..75f732b5a 100644
--- a/code/nel/samples/sound/sound_sources/main.cpp
+++ b/code/nel/samples/sound/sound_sources/main.cpp
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ void Init()
 {
 	try
 	{
+		CSheetId::initWithoutSheet();
 
 		CPath::addSearchPath(NL_SOUND_DATA"/data", true, false);
 
@@ -100,7 +101,7 @@ USource *OnAddSource( const char *name, float x, float y, float z )
 	/*
 	 * Create a source with sound 'name', and set some of its initial properties, if successful
 	 */
-	USource *source = AudioMixer->createSource( /*CStringMapper::map(name)*/ CSheetId(name) );
+	USource *source = AudioMixer->createSource(CSheetId(name, "sound"));
 	if ( source != NULL )
 	{
 		source->setPos( CVector(x,y,z) );
diff --git a/code/nel/samples/sound/stream_file/stream_file.cpp b/code/nel/samples/sound/stream_file/stream_file.cpp
index 060c4b433..6362a0414 100644
--- a/code/nel/samples/sound/stream_file/stream_file.cpp
+++ b/code/nel/samples/sound/stream_file/stream_file.cpp
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ static void initSample()
 {
 	if (!INelContext::isContextInitialised())
 		new CApplicationContext();
+	CSheetId::initWithoutSheet();
 	CPath::addSearchPath(NL_SOUND_DATA"/data", true, false);
 	
 	printf("Sample demonstrating OGG playback using stream file .sound sheets.");
@@ -97,7 +98,7 @@ static void initSample()
 	
 	//NLMISC::CHTimer::startBench();
 
-	s_Source = s_AudioMixer->createSource(/*CStringMapper::map("stream_file")*/ CSheetId("stream_file"));
+	s_Source = s_AudioMixer->createSource(CSheetId("stream_file.sound"));
 	nlassert(s_Source);
 	s_StreamFileSource = dynamic_cast<CStreamFileSource *>(s_Source);
 	nlassert(s_StreamFileSource);
diff --git a/code/nel/samples/sound/stream_ogg_vorbis/stream_ogg_vorbis.cpp b/code/nel/samples/sound/stream_ogg_vorbis/stream_ogg_vorbis.cpp
index 490ae8dd5..1f491b21c 100644
--- a/code/nel/samples/sound/stream_ogg_vorbis/stream_ogg_vorbis.cpp
+++ b/code/nel/samples/sound/stream_ogg_vorbis/stream_ogg_vorbis.cpp
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ static void initSample()
 {
 	if (!INelContext::isContextInitialised())
 		new CApplicationContext();
+	CSheetId::initWithoutSheet();
 	CPath::addSearchPath(NL_SOUND_DATA"/database/build/", true, false);
 	
 	printf("Sample demonstrating OGG playback using UStreamSource.");
@@ -87,7 +88,7 @@ static void initSample()
 	
 	//NLMISC::CHTimer::startBench();
 
-	USource *source = s_AudioMixer->createSource(CSheetId("default_stream")/*CStringMapper::map("default_stream")*/);
+	USource *source = s_AudioMixer->createSource(CSheetId("default_stream.sound"));
 	nlassert(source);
 	s_StreamSource = dynamic_cast<UStreamSource *>(source);
 	nlassert(s_StreamSource);
diff --git a/code/nel/src/3d/cluster.cpp b/code/nel/src/3d/cluster.cpp
index cb34b7f10..2faebcec7 100644
--- a/code/nel/src/3d/cluster.cpp
+++ b/code/nel/src/3d/cluster.cpp
@@ -51,9 +51,7 @@ CCluster::CCluster ()
 	// map a no fx string
 	_EnvironmentFxId = CStringMapper::map("no fx");
 	// map a no soundgroup string
-	_SoundGroupId = NLMISC::CSheetId::Unknown; /*CStringMapper::map("")*/;
-	nldebug("SOUNDSHEET: %s", _SoundGroupId.toString().c_str());
-
+	_SoundGroupId = CStringMapper::map("");
 
 	// I am a transform cluster
 	CTransform::setIsCluster(true);
@@ -78,21 +76,18 @@ CCluster::~CCluster()
 
 void CCluster::setSoundGroup(const std::string &soundGroup)
 {
-	_SoundGroupId = NLMISC::CSheetId(soundGroup);/*CStringMapper::map(soundGroup);*/
-	nldebug("SOUNDSHEET: %s", _SoundGroupId.toString().c_str());
-
+	_SoundGroupId = CStringMapper::map(soundGroup);
 }
-void CCluster::setSoundGroup(const NLMISC::CSheetId &soundGroupId)
+void CCluster::setSoundGroup(const NLMISC::TStringId &soundGroupId)
 {
 	_SoundGroupId = soundGroupId;
-	nldebug("SOUNDSHEET: %s", _SoundGroupId.toString().c_str());
 }
 const std::string &CCluster::getSoundGroup()
 {
-	return _SoundGroupId.toString();/*CStringMapper::unmap(_SoundGroupId)*/;
+	return CStringMapper::unmap(_SoundGroupId);
 }
 
-NLMISC::CSheetId CCluster::getSoundGroupId()
+NLMISC::TStringId CCluster::getSoundGroupId()
 {
 	return _SoundGroupId;
 }
@@ -309,8 +304,7 @@ void CCluster::serial (NLMISC::IStream&f)
 			std::string envFxName;
 
 			f.serial(soundGroup);
-			_SoundGroupId = NLMISC::CSheetId(soundGroup); /*CStringMapper::map(soundGroup)*/;
-			nldebug("SOUNDSHEET: %s", _SoundGroupId.toString().c_str());
+			_SoundGroupId = CStringMapper::map(soundGroup);
 
 			f.serial(envFxName);
 			if (envFxName == "")
@@ -320,7 +314,7 @@ void CCluster::serial (NLMISC::IStream&f)
 		else
 		{
 			// write the sound group
-			std::string soundGroup = _SoundGroupId.toString();/*CStringMapper::unmap(_SoundGroupId)*/;
+			std::string soundGroup = CStringMapper::unmap(_SoundGroupId);
 			f.serial(soundGroup);
 			// write the env fx name
 			std::string envFxName = CStringMapper::unmap(_EnvironmentFxId);
diff --git a/code/nel/src/3d/ps_sound.cpp b/code/nel/src/3d/ps_sound.cpp
index 322bd2729..a5ae6ad26 100644
--- a/code/nel/src/3d/ps_sound.cpp
+++ b/code/nel/src/3d/ps_sound.cpp
@@ -261,17 +261,16 @@ void			CPSSound::serial(NLMISC::IStream &f) throw(NLMISC::EStream)
 	CPSLocatedBindable::serial(f);
 	// version 3 : added option to keep original pitch from the .sound
 	sint ver = f.serialVersion(3);
-	if (f.isReading())
-	{
-		std::string soundName;
-		f.serial(soundName);
-		_SoundName = NLMISC::CSheetId(soundName)/*NLMISC::CStringMapper::map(soundName)*/;
-	}
-	else
-	{
-		std::string soundName = _SoundName.toString()/*NLMISC::CStringMapper::unmap(_SoundName)*/;
-		f.serial(soundName);
-	}
+
+	// FIXME: CPSSound is reserialized from the _ParticleSystemProto
+	// cache when a non-_Shared particle system is instanced, this 
+	// causes unnecessary sheet id lookups from string.
+	// SLN1: Serialize as uint32, but this requires the editor to know
+	// the correct sheet id (and thus requires a built sheet_id.bin).
+	// SLN2: Create a tool that reserializes all ps with sound sheet id 
+	// instead of sheet names, based on a global flag, and serialize
+	// a flag that specifies if the ps is serialized with id or name.
+	_SoundName.serialString(f, "sound");
 
 	sint32 nbSounds;
 	bool hasScheme;
diff --git a/code/nel/src/misc/sheet_id.cpp b/code/nel/src/misc/sheet_id.cpp
index b68011cf9..fb2627b5e 100644
--- a/code/nel/src/misc/sheet_id.cpp
+++ b/code/nel/src/misc/sheet_id.cpp
@@ -40,6 +40,15 @@ vector<std::string> CSheetId::_FileExtensions;
 bool CSheetId::_Initialised=false;
 bool CSheetId::_RemoveUnknownSheet=true;
 bool CSheetId::_DontHaveSheetKnowledge = false;
+std::map<std::string, uint32> CSheetId::_DevTypeNameToId;
+std::vector<std::vector<std::string> > CSheetId::_DevSheetIdToName;
+std::map<std::string, uint32> CSheetId::_DevSheetNameToId;
+
+#define NL_TEMP_YUBO_NO_SOUND_SHEET_ID
+
+#ifdef NL_TEMP_YUBO_NO_SOUND_SHEET_ID
+namespace { bool a_NoSoundSheetId = false; }
+#endif
 
 const CSheetId CSheetId::Unknown(0);
 
@@ -103,6 +112,18 @@ CSheetId::CSheetId( const string& sheetName )
 
 } // CSheetId //
 
+CSheetId::CSheetId( const std::string& sheetName, const std::string &defaultType )
+{
+	if (CFile::getExtension(sheetName) == "" && defaultType != "")
+	{
+		std::string withType = sheetName + "." + defaultType;
+		*this = CSheetId(withType);
+		// nldebug("SHEETID: Constructing CSheetId from name '%s' without explicit type, defaulting as '%s' to '%s'", sheetName.c_str(), defaultType.c_str(), withType.c_str());
+	}
+	else
+		*this = CSheetId(sheetName);
+}
+
 
 //-----------------------------------------------
 //	Build
@@ -111,7 +132,41 @@ CSheetId::CSheetId( const string& sheetName )
 bool CSheetId::buildSheetId(const std::string& sheetName)
 {
 	nlassert(_Initialised);
-	nlassert(!_DontHaveSheetKnowledge);
+	
+	// When no sheet_id.bin is loaded, use dynamically assigned IDs.
+	if (_DontHaveSheetKnowledge)
+	{
+		std::string sheetNameLc = toLower(sheetName);
+		std::map<std::string, uint32>::iterator it = _DevSheetNameToId.find(sheetNameLc);
+		if (it == _DevSheetNameToId.end())
+		{
+			// Create a new dynamic sheet ID.
+			// nldebug("SHEETID: Creating a dynamic sheet id for '%s'", sheetName.c_str());
+			std::string sheetType = CFile::getExtension(sheetNameLc);
+			std::string sheetName = CFile::getFilenameWithoutExtension(sheetNameLc);
+			std::map<std::string, uint32>::iterator tit = _DevTypeNameToId.find(sheetType);
+			uint32 typeId;
+			if (tit == _DevTypeNameToId.end())
+			{
+				_FileExtensions.push_back(sheetType);
+				_DevSheetIdToName.push_back(std::vector<std::string>());
+				typeId = _FileExtensions.size() - 1;
+				_DevTypeNameToId[sheetType] = typeId;
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				typeId = tit->second;
+			}
+			_DevSheetIdToName[typeId].push_back(sheetName);
+			_Id.IdInfos.Type = typeId;
+			_Id.IdInfos.Id = _DevSheetIdToName[typeId].size() - 1;
+			// nldebug("SHEETID: Type %i, id %i, sheetid %i", _Id.IdInfos.Type, _Id.IdInfos.Id, _Id.Id);
+			_DevSheetNameToId[sheetNameLc] = _Id.Id;
+			return true;
+		}
+		_Id.Id = it->second;
+		return true;
+	}
 
 	// try looking up the sheet name in _SheetNameToId
 	CStaticMap<CChar,uint32,CCharComp>::const_iterator itId;
@@ -143,6 +198,27 @@ bool CSheetId::buildSheetId(const std::string& sheetName)
 			return true;
 		}
 	}
+	
+#ifdef NL_TEMP_YUBO_NO_SOUND_SHEET_ID
+	if (a_NoSoundSheetId && sheetName.find(".sound") != std::string::npos)
+	{
+		std::string sheetNameLc = toLower(sheetName);
+		std::map<std::string, uint32>::iterator it = _DevSheetNameToId.find(sheetNameLc);
+		if (it == _DevSheetNameToId.end())
+		{
+			uint32 typeId = ((1 << (NL_SHEET_ID_TYPE_BITS)) - 1);
+			// nldebug("SHEETID: Creating a temporary sheet id for '%s'", sheetName.c_str());
+			_DevSheetIdToName[0].push_back(sheetName);
+			_Id.IdInfos.Type = typeId;
+			_Id.IdInfos.Id = _DevSheetIdToName[0].size() - 1;
+			_DevSheetNameToId[sheetNameLc] = _Id.Id;
+			return true;
+		}
+		_Id.Id = it->second;
+		return true;
+	}
+#endif
+	
 	return false;
 }
 
@@ -283,7 +359,11 @@ void CSheetId::init(bool removeUnknownSheet)
 {
 	// allow multiple calls to init in case libraries depending on sheetid call this init from their own
 	if (_Initialised)
+	{
+		if (_DontHaveSheetKnowledge)
+			nlinfo("SHEETID: CSheetId is already initialized without sheet_id.bin");
 		return;
+	}
 
 //	CFile::addFileChangeCallback ("sheet_id.bin", cbFileChange);
 
@@ -292,13 +372,33 @@ void CSheetId::init(bool removeUnknownSheet)
 	loadSheetId ();
 	_Initialised=true;
 
+#ifdef NL_TEMP_YUBO_NO_SOUND_SHEET_ID
+	if (typeFromFileExtension("sound") == std::numeric_limits<uint32>::max())
+	{
+		nlwarning("SHEETID: Loading without known sound sheet id, please update sheet_id.bin with .sound sheets");
+		nlassert(_FileExtensions.size() == 1 << (NL_SHEET_ID_TYPE_BITS));
+		_FileExtensions[((1 << (NL_SHEET_ID_TYPE_BITS)) - 1)] == "sound";
+		_DevSheetIdToName.push_back(std::vector<std::string>());
+		a_NoSoundSheetId = true;
+	}
+#endif
 
 } // init //
 
 void CSheetId::initWithoutSheet()
 {
+	if (_Initialised)
+	{
+		nlassert(_DontHaveSheetKnowledge);
+		return;
+	}
+	
 	_Initialised = true;
 	_DontHaveSheetKnowledge = true;
+	
+	// Initialize id 0,0 as unknown.unknown
+	CSheetId unknownunknown = CSheetId("unknown.unknown");
+	nlassert(unknownunknown == CSheetId::Unknown);
 }
 
 
@@ -310,6 +410,10 @@ void CSheetId::initWithoutSheet()
 void CSheetId::uninit()
 {
 	delete [] _AllStrings.Ptr;
+	_FileExtensions.clear();
+	_DevTypeNameToId.clear();
+	_DevSheetIdToName.clear();
+	_DevSheetNameToId.clear();
 } // uninit //
 
 //-----------------------------------------------
@@ -343,23 +447,9 @@ CSheetId& CSheetId::operator=( const CSheetId& sheetId )
 //-----------------------------------------------
 CSheetId& CSheetId::operator=( const string& sheetName )
 {
-	nlassert(_Initialised);
-	nlassert(!_DontHaveSheetKnowledge);
 
-	CStaticMap<CChar,uint32,CCharComp>::const_iterator itId;
-	CChar c;
-	c.Ptr = new char [sheetName.size()+1];
-	strcpy(c.Ptr, sheetName.c_str());
-	toLower(c.Ptr);
-
-	itId = _SheetNameToId.find (c);
-	delete [] c.Ptr;
-	if( itId != _SheetNameToId.end() )
-	{
-		_Id.Id = (*itId).second;
-		return *this;
-	}
-	*this = Unknown;
+	if (!buildSheetId(sheetName))
+		*this = Unknown;
 	return *this;
 
 } // operator= //
@@ -407,6 +497,13 @@ bool CSheetId::operator < (const CSheetId& sheetRef ) const
 string CSheetId::toString(bool ifNotFoundUseNumericId) const
 {
 	if (!_Initialised) init(false);
+	
+	if (_DontHaveSheetKnowledge)
+	{
+		// FIXME: When someone punches in a fake sheet id this will 
+		// fail.
+		return _DevSheetIdToName[_Id.IdInfos.Type][_Id.IdInfos.Id];
+	}
 
 	CStaticMap<uint32,CChar>::const_iterator itStr = _SheetIdToName.find (_Id.Id);
 	if( itStr != _SheetIdToName.end() )
@@ -415,6 +512,12 @@ string CSheetId::toString(bool ifNotFoundUseNumericId) const
 	}
 	else
 	{
+#ifdef NL_TEMP_YUBO_NO_SOUND_SHEET_ID
+		if (a_NoSoundSheetId && _Id.IdInfos.Type == ((1 << (NL_SHEET_ID_TYPE_BITS)) - 1))
+		{
+			return _DevSheetIdToName[0][_Id.IdInfos.Id];
+		}
+#endif
 		// This nlwarning is commented out because the loggers are mutexed, therefore
 		// you couldn't use toString() within a nlwarning().
 		//nlwarning("<CSheetId::toString> The sheet %08x is not in sheet_id.bin",_Id.Id);
@@ -432,6 +535,8 @@ string CSheetId::toString(bool ifNotFoundUseNumericId) const
 
 void CSheetId::serial(NLMISC::IStream	&f) throw(NLMISC::EStream)
 {
+	nlassert(!_DontHaveSheetKnowledge);
+	
 	f.serial( _Id.Id );
 
 #ifdef NL_DEBUG_SHEET_ID
@@ -443,6 +548,24 @@ void CSheetId::serial(NLMISC::IStream	&f) throw(NLMISC::EStream)
 #endif
 }
 
+void CSheetId::serialString(NLMISC::IStream &f, const std::string &defaultType) throw(NLMISC::EStream)
+{
+	nlassert(_Initialised);
+	
+	if (f.isReading())
+	{
+		std::string sheetName;
+		f.serial(sheetName);
+		*this = CSheetId(sheetName, defaultType);
+	}
+	else
+	{
+		// if this assert fails, you may be using an outdated id bin
+		nlassert(*this != CSheetId::Unknown);
+		std::string sheetName = toString();
+		f.serial(sheetName);
+	}
+}
 
 
 //-----------------------------------------------
diff --git a/code/nel/src/sound/audio_mixer_user.cpp b/code/nel/src/sound/audio_mixer_user.cpp
index 016f3d13d..da3c7d177 100644
--- a/code/nel/src/sound/audio_mixer_user.cpp
+++ b/code/nel/src/sound/audio_mixer_user.cpp
@@ -468,7 +468,7 @@ void CAudioMixerUser::initDevice(const std::string &deviceName, const CInitInfo
 			nlwarning("AM: OptionSoftwareBuffer not available, forceSoftwareBuffer = false");
 			forceSoftware = false; // not really needed, but set anyway in case this is still used later in this function
 		}
-		if (manualRolloff && !_SoundDriver->getOption(ISoundDriver::OptionLocalBufferCopy))
+		if (manualRolloff && !_SoundDriver->getOption(ISoundDriver::OptionManualRolloff))
 		{
 			nlwarning("AM: OptionManualRolloff not available, manualRolloff = false");
 			manualRolloff = false; // not really needed, but set anyway in case this is still used later in this function
@@ -971,10 +971,14 @@ void CAudioMixerUser::buildSampleBankList()
 /// Build the sound bank packed sheets file from georges sound sheet files with .sound extension in the search path, and return the path to the written file.
 std::string UAudioMixer::buildSoundBank(const std::string &packedSheetDir)
 {
+	CGroupControllerRoot *tempRoot = NULL;
+	if (!CGroupControllerRoot::isInitialized())
+		tempRoot = new CGroupControllerRoot();
 	std::string dir = CPath::standardizePath(packedSheetDir, true);
 	CSoundBank *soundBank = new CSoundBank();
 	soundBank->load(dir, true);
 	delete soundBank;
+	delete tempRoot;
 	return dir + "sounds.packed_sheets";
 }
 
@@ -1050,9 +1054,8 @@ public:
 			for (uint i=0; i<size; ++i)
 			{
 				items->getArrayValue(soundName, i);
-				soundName = soundName.substr(0, soundName.find(".sound"));
-
-				cs.SoundNames.push_back(CSheetId(soundName)/*CStringMapper::map(soundName)*/);
+				nlassert(soundName.find(".sound") != std::string::npos);
+				cs.SoundNames.push_back(CSheetId(soundName));
 			}
 
 			if (!cs.SoundNames.empty())
@@ -1133,7 +1136,7 @@ void CAudioMixerUser::CControledSources::serial(NLMISC::IStream &s)
 		for (uint i=0; i<size; ++i)
 		{
 			s.serial(soundName);
-			SoundNames.push_back(CSheetId(soundName)/*CStringMapper::map(soundName)*/);
+			SoundNames.push_back(CSheetId(soundName, "sound"));
 		}
 	}
 	else
@@ -1147,7 +1150,7 @@ void CAudioMixerUser::CControledSources::serial(NLMISC::IStream &s)
 
 		for (uint i=0; i<size; ++i)
 		{
-			soundName = SoundNames[i].toString();/*CStringMapper::unmap(SoundNames[i])*/;
+			soundName = SoundNames[i].toString();;
 			s.serial(soundName);
 		}
 	}
@@ -2313,7 +2316,6 @@ void			CAudioMixerUser::getLoadedSampleBankInfo(std::vector<std::pair<std::strin
 }
 
 
-
 void CAudioMixerUser::setListenerPos (const NLMISC::CVector &pos)
 {
 	_Listener.setPos(pos);
diff --git a/code/nel/src/sound/background_sound.cpp b/code/nel/src/sound/background_sound.cpp
index 66de89e79..1dbeba3fe 100644
--- a/code/nel/src/sound/background_sound.cpp
+++ b/code/nel/src/sound/background_sound.cpp
@@ -84,7 +84,8 @@ void CBackgroundSound::importForm(const std::string& filename, NLGEORGES::UFormE
 					// Read the sound name.
 					std::string soundName;
 					psoundItem->getValueByName(soundName, "Sound");
-					sound.SoundName = NLMISC::CSheetId(CFile::getFilenameWithoutExtension(soundName));/*CStringMapper::map(CFile::getFilenameWithoutExtension(soundName))*/;
+					nlassert(soundName.find(".sound") != std::string::npos);
+					sound.SoundName = NLMISC::CSheetId(soundName);
 
 
 					// Read the environnement flag.
diff --git a/code/nel/src/sound/background_sound_manager.cpp b/code/nel/src/sound/background_sound_manager.cpp
index 4eb5b042d..4713d03f8 100644
--- a/code/nel/src/sound/background_sound_manager.cpp
+++ b/code/nel/src/sound/background_sound_manager.cpp
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ void CBackgroundSoundManager::addSound(const std::string &soundName, uint layerI
 	CAudioMixerUser *mixer = CAudioMixerUser::instance();
 	TSoundData	sd;
 
-	sd.SoundName = /*CStringMapper::map(soundName)*/ NLMISC::CSheetId(soundName);
+	sd.SoundName = NLMISC::CSheetId(soundName, "sound"); // note: loaded from .primitive
 	sd.Sound = mixer->getSoundId(sd.SoundName);
 	sd.Source = 0;
 
@@ -1431,21 +1431,15 @@ void CBackgroundSoundManager::TBanksData::serial(NLMISC::IStream &s)
 
 void CBackgroundSoundManager::TSoundData::serial(NLMISC::IStream &s)
 {
-	std::string str;
-
+	//std::string str;
+	SoundName.serialString(s, "sound");
 	if (s.isReading())
 	{
 		CAudioMixerUser *mixer = CAudioMixerUser::instance();
-		s.serial(str);
-		SoundName = /*NLMISC::CStringMapper::map(str)*/ NLMISC::CSheetId(str);
 		Sound = mixer->getSoundId(SoundName);
 		Source = NULL;
 		Selected = false;
 	}
-	else
-	{
-		s.serial(const_cast<std::string&>(SoundName.toString()/*NLMISC::CStringMapper::unmap(SoundName)*/));
-	}
 	s.serial(MinBox);
 	s.serial(MaxBox);
 	s.serial(Surface);
diff --git a/code/nel/src/sound/clustered_sound.cpp b/code/nel/src/sound/clustered_sound.cpp
index c2a8db8ef..25f0e5b64 100644
--- a/code/nel/src/sound/clustered_sound.cpp
+++ b/code/nel/src/sound/clustered_sound.cpp
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ float EAX_MATERIAL_PARAM[] =
 class CSoundGroupSerializer
 {
 public:
-	std::vector<std::pair<NLMISC::CSheetId, NLMISC::CSheetId> >	_SoundGroupAssoc;
+	std::vector<std::pair<NLMISC::TStringId, NLMISC::CSheetId> >	_SoundGroupAssoc;
 
 	// load the values using the george sheet (called by GEORGE::loadForm)
 	void readGeorges (const NLMISC::CSmartPtr<NLGEORGES::UForm> &form, const std::string &/* name */)
@@ -95,15 +95,9 @@ public:
 				item->getValueByName(soundGroup, ".SoundGroup");
 				item->getValueByName(sound, ".Sound");
 
-				string::size_type n = sound.rfind(".sound");
+				nlassert(sound.find(".sound") != std::string::npos);
 
-				if (n != string::npos)
-				{
-					// remove the tailing .sound
-					sound = sound.substr(0, n);
-				}
-
-				_SoundGroupAssoc.push_back(make_pair(CSheetId(soundGroup), CSheetId(sound) /*CStringMapper::map(soundGroup), CStringMapper::map(sound)*/));
+				_SoundGroupAssoc.push_back(make_pair(CStringMapper::map(soundGroup), CSheetId(sound)));
 			}
 		}
 		catch(...)
@@ -125,24 +119,18 @@ public:
 		{
 			if (s.isReading())
 			{
-				std::string soundGroup;
-				std::string sound;
+				TStringId soundGroup;
+				CSheetId sound;
 
-				s.serial(soundGroup);
-				s.serial(sound);
+				CStringMapper::serialString(s, soundGroup);
+				sound.serialString(s, "sound");
 
-				_SoundGroupAssoc.push_back(make_pair(CSheetId(soundGroup), CSheetId(sound) /*CStringMapper::map(soundGroup), CStringMapper::map(sound)*/));
+				_SoundGroupAssoc.push_back(make_pair(soundGroup, sound));
 			}
 			else
 			{
-				std::string soundGroup;
-				std::string sound;
-
-				soundGroup = _SoundGroupAssoc[i].first.toString();// CStringMapper::unmap(_SoundGroupAssoc[i].first);
-				sound = _SoundGroupAssoc[i].second.toString(); //CStringMapper::unmap(_SoundGroupAssoc[i].second);
-
-				s.serial(soundGroup);
-				s.serial(sound);
+				CStringMapper::serialString(s, _SoundGroupAssoc[i].first);
+				_SoundGroupAssoc[i].second.serialString(s, "sound");
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -254,10 +242,10 @@ void CClusteredSound::update(const CVector &listenerPos, const CVector &/* view
 	TClusterStatusMap::const_iterator first(_AudibleClusters.begin()), last(_AudibleClusters.end());
 	for (; first != last; ++first )
 	{
-		static NLMISC::CSheetId NO_SOUND_GROUP = /*CStringMapper::emptyId()*/NLMISC::CSheetId::Unknown;
+		static NLMISC::TStringId NO_SOUND_GROUP = CStringMapper::emptyId();
 		const CClusterSoundStatus &css = first->second;
 		CCluster *cluster = first->first;
-		NLMISC::CSheetId soundGroup;
+		NLMISC::TStringId soundGroup;
 
 		soundGroup = cluster->getSoundGroupId();
 
@@ -289,7 +277,7 @@ void CClusteredSound::update(const CVector &listenerPos, const CVector &/* view
 
 //				nldebug("Searching sound assoc for group [%s]", CStringMapper::unmap(soundGroup).c_str());
 
-				TStringStringMap::iterator it2(_SoundGroupToSound.find(soundGroup));
+				TStringSheetMap::iterator it2(_SoundGroupToSound.find(soundGroup));
 				if (it2 != _SoundGroupToSound.end())
 				{
 					NLMISC::CSheetId soundName = it2->second;
diff --git a/code/nel/src/sound/complex_sound.cpp b/code/nel/src/sound/complex_sound.cpp
index ae770eb8d..9e0ab2022 100644
--- a/code/nel/src/sound/complex_sound.cpp
+++ b/code/nel/src/sound/complex_sound.cpp
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ void	CComplexSound::serial(NLMISC::IStream &s)
 		{
 			std::string name;
 			s.serial(name);
-			_Sounds.push_back(/*CStringMapper::map(name)*/NLMISC::CSheetId(name));
+			_Sounds.push_back(NLMISC::CSheetId(name, "sound"));
 		}
 	}
 	else
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ void	CComplexSound::serial(NLMISC::IStream &s)
 		s.serial(nb);
 		for (uint i=0; i<nb; ++i)
 		{
-			std::string name = /*CStringMapper::unmap(_Sounds[i])*/_Sounds[i].toString();
+			std::string name = _Sounds[i].toString();
 			s.serial(name);
 		}
 	}
@@ -301,8 +301,8 @@ void	CComplexSound::importForm(const std::string& filename, NLGEORGES::UFormElm&
 			string soundname;
 			if (psoundsArray->getArrayValue(soundname, i))
 			{
-				soundname = CFile::getFilenameWithoutExtension(soundname);
-				_Sounds.push_back(NLMISC::CSheetId(soundname)/*CStringMapper::map(soundname)*/);
+				nlassert(soundname.find(".sound") != std::string::npos);
+				_Sounds.push_back(NLMISC::CSheetId(soundname));
 			}
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/code/nel/src/sound/driver/source.cpp b/code/nel/src/sound/driver/source.cpp
index df99b59ee..6ef5e420c 100644
--- a/code/nel/src/sound/driver/source.cpp
+++ b/code/nel/src/sound/driver/source.cpp
@@ -65,12 +65,68 @@ sint32 ISource::computeManualRollOff(sint32 volumeMB, sint32 mbMin, sint32 mbMax
 // common method used only with OptionManualRolloff. return the rolloff in amplitude ratio (gain)
 float ISource::computeManualRolloff(double alpha, float sqrdist, float distMin, float distMax)
 {
-	static const sint32 mbMin = -10000;
-	static const sint32 mbMax = 0;
+	/*static const sint mbMin = -10000;
+	static const sint mbMax = 0;
 	sint32 rolloffMb = ISource::computeManualRollOff(mbMax, mbMin, mbMax, alpha, sqrdist, distMin, distMax);
 	float rolloffGain = (float)pow(10.0, (double)rolloffMb / 2000.0);
 	clamp(rolloffGain, 0.0f, 1.0f);
-	return rolloffGain;
+	return rolloffGain;*/
+	
+	static const double mbMin = -10000;
+	static const double mbMax = 0;
+	
+	if (sqrdist < distMin * distMin)
+	{
+		// no attenuation
+		return 1.0f;
+	}
+	else
+	{
+		if (alpha < 0.0f)
+		{
+			double dist = (double)sqrt(sqrdist);
+			// inverse distance rolloff
+			float rolloff = distMin / dist;
+			if (alpha <= -1.0f) return rolloff;
+
+			if (dist > distMax)
+			{
+				// full attenuation of mbrolloff
+				return (-alpha * rolloff);
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				double mb = mbMin * (dist - distMin) / (distMax - distMin);
+				float mbrolloff = (float)pow(10.0, (double)mb / 2000.0);
+				return ((1.0 + alpha) * mbrolloff - alpha * rolloff);
+			}
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			if (sqrdist > distMax * distMax)
+			{
+				// full attenuation
+				return 0.0f;
+			}
+			double dist = (double)sqrt(sqrdist);
+			if (alpha == 0.0f)
+			{
+				// linearly descending volume on a dB scale
+				double mb = mbMin * (dist - distMin) / (distMax - distMin);
+				return (float)pow(10.0, (double)mb / 2000.0);
+			}
+			else // if (alpha > 0.0f)
+			{
+				// linear distance rolloff
+				float rolloff = (distMax - dist) / (distMax - distMin);
+				if (alpha >= 1.0f) return rolloff;
+
+				double mb = mbMin * (dist - distMin) / (distMax - distMin);
+				float mbrolloff = (float)pow(10.0, (double)mb / 2000.0);
+				return ((1.0 - alpha) * mbrolloff + alpha * rolloff);
+			}
+		}
+	}
 }
 
 } // NLSOUND
diff --git a/code/nel/src/sound/group_controller_root.cpp b/code/nel/src/sound/group_controller_root.cpp
index f460a808b..254dc16f4 100644
--- a/code/nel/src/sound/group_controller_root.cpp
+++ b/code/nel/src/sound/group_controller_root.cpp
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ using namespace std;
 
 namespace NLSOUND {
 
-CGroupControllerRoot::CGroupControllerRoot() : CGroupController(NULL)
+CGroupControllerRoot::CGroupControllerRoot() : CGroupController(NULL), NLMISC::CManualSingleton<CGroupControllerRoot>()
 {
 	
 }
diff --git a/code/nel/src/sound/sound.cpp b/code/nel/src/sound/sound.cpp
index bb9fd9372..a1c9fd595 100644
--- a/code/nel/src/sound/sound.cpp
+++ b/code/nel/src/sound/sound.cpp
@@ -133,27 +133,18 @@ void	CSound::serial(NLMISC::IStream &s)
 	s.serial(_Direction);
 	s.serial(_Looping);
 	s.serial(_MaxDist);
-	if (s.isReading())
-	{
-		std::string name;
-		s.serial(name);
-		_Name = NLMISC::CSheetId(name);//CStringMapper::map(name);
-	}
-	else
-	{
-		std::string name = _Name.toString();//CStringMapper::unmap(_Name);
-		s.serial(name);
-	}
-	
-	nlassert(CGroupControllerRoot::getInstance()); // not sure
+
+	_Name.serialString(s, "sound");
+
+	nlassert(CGroupControllerRoot::isInitialized()); // not sure
 #if NLSOUND_SHEET_VERSION_BUILT < 2
-	if (s.isReading()) _GroupController = static_cast<CGroupController *>(CAudioMixerUser::instance()->getGroupController(NLSOUND_SHEET_V1_DEFAULT_SOUND_GROUP_CONTROLLER));
+	if (s.isReading()) _GroupController = CGroupControllerRoot::getInstance()->getGroupController(NLSOUND_SHEET_V1_DEFAULT_SOUND_GROUP_CONTROLLER);
 #else
 	if (s.isReading())
 	{
 		std::string groupControllerPath;
 		s.serial(groupControllerPath);
-		_GroupController = static_cast<CGroupController *>(CAudioMixerUser::instance()->getGroupController(groupControllerPath));
+		_GroupController = CGroupControllerRoot::getInstance()->getGroupController(groupControllerPath);
 	}
 	else
 	{
@@ -170,7 +161,8 @@ void	CSound::serial(NLMISC::IStream &s)
 void				CSound::importForm(const std::string& filename, NLGEORGES::UFormElm& root)
 {
 	// Name
-	_Name = NLMISC::CSheetId(CFile::getFilenameWithoutExtension(filename));//CStringMapper::map(CFile::getFilenameWithoutExtension(filename));
+	nlassert(filename.find(".sound") != std::string::npos);
+	_Name = NLMISC::CSheetId(filename);
 
 	// InternalConeAngle
 	uint32 inner;
@@ -253,7 +245,7 @@ void				CSound::importForm(const std::string& filename, NLGEORGES::UFormElm& roo
 		_Priority = MidPri;
 	}
 
-	nlassert(CGroupControllerRoot::getInstance()); // not sure
+	nlassert(CGroupControllerRoot::isInitialized()); // not sure
 #if NLSOUND_SHEET_VERSION_BUILT < 2
 	_GroupController = CGroupControllerRoot::getInstance()->getGroupController(NLSOUND_SHEET_V1_DEFAULT_SOUND_GROUP_CONTROLLER);
 #else
diff --git a/code/nel/src/sound/sound_anim_marker.cpp b/code/nel/src/sound/sound_anim_marker.cpp
index 40e058589..b64e02f3c 100644
--- a/code/nel/src/sound/sound_anim_marker.cpp
+++ b/code/nel/src/sound/sound_anim_marker.cpp
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ void CSoundAnimMarker::play(UAudioMixer* mixer, NL3D::CCluster *cluster, CSoundC
 
 	for (; first != last; ++first)
 	{
-		USource* source = mixer->createSource(NLMISC::CSheetId(*first), true, NULL, NULL, cluster, &context);
+		USource* source = mixer->createSource((*first), true, NULL, NULL, cluster, &context);
 		if (source != NULL)
 		{
 			source->setRelativeGain(context.RelativeGain);
diff --git a/code/nel/src/sound/sound_animation.cpp b/code/nel/src/sound/sound_animation.cpp
index 5ea3f87cb..5a6f1c256 100644
--- a/code/nel/src/sound/sound_animation.cpp
+++ b/code/nel/src/sound/sound_animation.cpp
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ void CSoundAnimation::load()
 					throw NLMISC::Exception("Invalid sound animation marker");
 				}
 
-				marker->addSound(NLMISC::CSheetId(string(name))/*CStringMapper::map(string(name))*/);
+				marker->addSound(NLMISC::CSheetId(string(name), "sound"));
 
 				xmlFree ((void*)name);
 
diff --git a/code/nel/src/sound/sound_bank.cpp b/code/nel/src/sound/sound_bank.cpp
index 93cf09de4..6421e722b 100644
--- a/code/nel/src/sound/sound_bank.cpp
+++ b/code/nel/src/sound/sound_bank.cpp
@@ -123,14 +123,16 @@ CSoundBank::~CSoundBank()
 
 void CSoundBank::addSound(CSound *sound)
 {
-	std::pair<TSoundTable::iterator, bool> ret;
-	ret = _Sounds.insert(make_pair(sound->getName(), sound));
-	nlassert(ret.second);
+	// nlassert(_Sounds.size() > sound->getName().getShortId());
+	// nldebug("SOUNDBANK: Add %s", sound->getName().toString().c_str());
+	if (_Sounds.size() <= sound->getName().getShortId())
+		_Sounds.resize(sound->getName().getShortId() + 1);
+	_Sounds[sound->getName().getShortId()] = sound;
 }
 
-void CSoundBank::removeSound(const NLMISC::CSheetId &name)
+void CSoundBank::removeSound(const NLMISC::CSheetId &sheetId)
 {
-	_Sounds.erase(name);
+	_Sounds[sheetId.getShortId()] = NULL;
 }
 
 
@@ -152,10 +154,10 @@ public:
 	{}
 
 	// load the values using the george sheet (called by GEORGE::loadForm)
-	void readGeorges (const NLMISC::CSmartPtr<NLGEORGES::UForm> &form, const NLMISC::CSheetId &name)
+	void readGeorges (const NLMISC::CSmartPtr<NLGEORGES::UForm> &form, const std::string &name)
 	{
 		// just call the sound creation method with the xml form.
-		Sound = CSound::createSound(name.toString(), form->getRootNode());
+		Sound = CSound::createSound(name, form->getRootNode());
 
 		// success ?
 //		if (_Sound != 0)
@@ -258,37 +260,59 @@ public:
 void CSoundBank::load(const std::string &packedSheetDir, bool packedSheetUpdate)
 {
 	// this structure is fill by the loadForm() function and will contain all you need
-	//std::map<std::string, CSoundSerializer> Container;
-	std::map<NLMISC::CSheetId, CSoundSerializer> Container;
+	std::map<std::string, CSoundSerializer> container; // load the old way for compatibility
 	nlassert(!_Loaded);
 	// Just call the GEORGE::loadFrom method to read all available sounds
-	::loadForm("sound", packedSheetDir + "sounds.packed_sheets", Container, packedSheetUpdate, false);
+	::loadForm("sound", packedSheetDir + "sounds.packed_sheets", container, packedSheetUpdate, false);
 	_Loaded = true;
 
+	// get the largest sheet id needed and init the sound bank
+	uint32 maxShortId = 0;
+	{
+		std::map<std::string, CSoundSerializer>::iterator first(container.begin()), last(container.end());
+		for (; first != last; ++first)
+		{
+			if (first->second.Sound != 0)
+				if (first->second.Sound->getName().getShortId() > maxShortId)
+					maxShortId = first->second.Sound->getName().getShortId();
+		}
+		++maxShortId; // inc for size = last idx + 1
+		if (container.size() == 0)
+		{
+			nlwarning("NLSOUND: No sound sheets have been loaded, missing sound sheet directory or packed sound sheets file");
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			nlassert(maxShortId < (container.size() * 8)); // ensure no ridiculous sheet id values
+			if (maxShortId > _Sounds.size())
+				_Sounds.resize(maxShortId);
+		}
+	}
+
 	// add all the loaded sound in the sound banks
-	//std::map<std::string, CSoundSerializer>::iterator first(Container.begin()), last(Container.end());
-	std::map<NLMISC::CSheetId, CSoundSerializer>::iterator first(Container.begin()), last(Container.end());
-	for (; first != last; ++first)
 	{
-		if (first->second.Sound != 0)
-			addSound(first->second.Sound);
+		std::map<std::string, CSoundSerializer>::iterator first(container.begin()), last(container.end());
+		for (; first != last; ++first)
+		{
+			if (first->second.Sound != 0)
+				addSound(first->second.Sound);
+		}
 	}
 
-	Container.clear();
+	container.clear();
 }
 
 
 /*
  * Unload all the sound samples in this bank.
  */
-void				CSoundBank::unload()
+void CSoundBank::unload()
 {
 	nlassert(_Loaded);
 
-	TSoundTable::iterator first(_Sounds.begin()), last(_Sounds.end());
-	for (; first != last; ++first)
+	for (TSoundTable::size_type i = 0; i < _Sounds.size(); ++i)
 	{
-		delete first->second;
+		delete _Sounds[i];
 	}
 
 	_Sounds.clear();
@@ -322,7 +346,7 @@ void				CSoundBank::unload()
 /*
  * Returns true if the samples in this bank have been loaded.
  */
-bool				CSoundBank::isLoaded()
+bool CSoundBank::isLoaded()
 {
 	return _Loaded;
 }
@@ -330,37 +354,38 @@ bool				CSoundBank::isLoaded()
 /*
  * Return a sound sample corresponding to a name.
  */
-CSound*			CSoundBank::getSound(const NLMISC::CSheetId &name)
+CSound* CSoundBank::getSound(const NLMISC::CSheetId &sheetId)
 {
-	// Find sound
-	TSoundTable::iterator iter = _Sounds.find(name);
-	if ( iter == _Sounds.end() )
-	{
-		return 0;
-	}
-	else
+	if (sheetId == NLMISC::CSheetId::Unknown)
+		return NULL;
+
+	// nlassert(sheetId.getShortId() < _Sounds.size());
+	if (sheetId.getShortId() >= _Sounds.size())
 	{
-		return (*iter).second;
+		std::string sheetName = sheetId.toString();
+		nlwarning("NLSOUND: Sound sheet id '%s' exceeds loaded sound sheets", sheetName.c_str());
+		return NULL;
 	}
+
+	return _Sounds[sheetId.getShortId()];
 }
 
 /**
  *  Return the names of the sounds
  */
-void				CSoundBank::getNames( std::vector<NLMISC::CSheetId> &names )
+void CSoundBank::getNames( std::vector<NLMISC::CSheetId> &sheetIds )
 {
-	TSoundTable::const_iterator iter;
-	for (iter = _Sounds.begin(); iter != _Sounds.end(); ++iter)
+	for (TSoundTable::size_type i = 0; i < _Sounds.size(); ++i)
 	{
-		names.push_back((*iter).first);
-		//nlwarning("getting sound %s", (*iter).first);
+		if (_Sounds[i])
+			sheetIds.push_back(_Sounds[i]->getName());
 	}
 }
 
 /*
  * Return the number of buffers in this bank.
  */
-uint				CSoundBank::countSounds()
+uint CSoundBank::countSounds()
 {
 	return (uint)_Sounds.size();
 }
diff --git a/code/nel/src/sound/stream_file_sound.cpp b/code/nel/src/sound/stream_file_sound.cpp
index b86f0b5df..fbf0c91a1 100644
--- a/code/nel/src/sound/stream_file_sound.cpp
+++ b/code/nel/src/sound/stream_file_sound.cpp
@@ -73,13 +73,13 @@ void CStreamFileSound::serial(NLMISC::IStream &s)
 
 void CStreamFileSound::setMusicFilePath(const std::string &filePath, bool async, bool loop)
 {
-#if !FINAL_VERSION
+/*#if !FINAL_VERSION
 	//_Name = NLMISC::CStringMapper::map(std::string("<MusicChannel:") + NLMISC::CFile::getFilenameWithoutExtension(filePath) + ">");
 	_Name = NLMISC::CSheetId(std::string("<MusicChannel:") + NLMISC::CFile::getFilenameWithoutExtension(filePath) + ">");
 #else
 	//_Name = NLMISC::CStringMapper::map("<MusicChannel>");
-	_Name = NLMISC::CSheetId("<MusicChannel>");
-#endif
+#endif*/
+	_Name = NLMISC::CSheetId("music_channel.sound");
 	_ConeInnerAngle = NLMISC::Pi * 2;
 	_ConeOuterAngle = NLMISC::Pi * 2;
 	_Looping = loop;
diff --git a/code/nel/tools/3d/object_viewer_qt/src/plugins/object_viewer/particle_sound_page.cpp b/code/nel/tools/3d/object_viewer_qt/src/plugins/object_viewer/particle_sound_page.cpp
index 17e0c09d7..ce7034e56 100644
--- a/code/nel/tools/3d/object_viewer_qt/src/plugins/object_viewer/particle_sound_page.cpp
+++ b/code/nel/tools/3d/object_viewer_qt/src/plugins/object_viewer/particle_sound_page.cpp
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ void CSoundPage::setEditedItem(CWorkspaceNode *ownerNode, NL3D::CPSLocatedBindab
 	_ui.pitchWidget->setWorkspaceNode(_Node);
 	_ui.pitchWidget->updateUi();
 
-	_ui.soundNameLineEdit->setText(QString(NLMISC::CStringMapper::unmap(_Sound->getSoundName()).c_str()));
+	_ui.soundNameLineEdit->setText(QString(_Sound->getSoundName().toString().c_str()));
 
 	_ui.spawnCheckBox->setChecked(_Sound->getSpawn());
 	_ui.muteCheckBox->setChecked(_Sound->getMute());
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ void CSoundPage::setEditedItem(CWorkspaceNode *ownerNode, NL3D::CPSLocatedBindab
 
 void CSoundPage::browse()
 {
-	std::vector<NLMISC::TStringId> names;
+	std::vector<NLMISC::CSheetId> names;
 
 
 	NLSOUND::UAudioMixer *audioMixer = Modules::sound().getAudioMixer();
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ void CSoundPage::browse()
 	QStringList items;
 	items << tr("");
 	for(size_t i = 0; i < names.size(); ++i)
-		items << QString(names[i]->c_str());
+		items << QString(names[i].toString().c_str());
 
 	bool ok;
 	QString item = QInputDialog::getItem(this, tr("Select your sound"),
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ void CSoundPage::setKeepPitch(bool state)
 
 void CSoundPage::setSoundName(const QString &text)
 {
-	_Sound->setSoundName(NLMISC::CStringMapper::map(text.toStdString()));
+	_Sound->setSoundName(NLMISC::CSheetId(text.toStdString()));
 }
 
 void CSoundPage::setEmissionPercent(float value)
@@ -171,4 +171,4 @@ void CSoundPage::setEmissionPercent(float value)
 	updateModifiedFlag();
 }
 
-} /* namespace NLQT */
\ No newline at end of file
+} /* namespace NLQT */
diff --git a/code/nel/tools/3d/object_viewer_qt/src/plugins/object_viewer/sound_system.cpp b/code/nel/tools/3d/object_viewer_qt/src/plugins/object_viewer/sound_system.cpp
index a8a204c96..5ca313b0f 100644
--- a/code/nel/tools/3d/object_viewer_qt/src/plugins/object_viewer/sound_system.cpp
+++ b/code/nel/tools/3d/object_viewer_qt/src/plugins/object_viewer/sound_system.cpp
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@
 #include <nel/sound/sound_animation.h>
 #include <nel/3d/u_particle_system_sound.h>
 #include <nel/misc/path.h>
+#include <nel/misc/sheet_id.h>
+
 
 // Qt includes
 #include <QtCore/QSettings>
@@ -67,6 +69,9 @@ void CSoundSystem::init()
 {
 	//H_AUTO2
 	nldebug("CSoundSystem::init");
+	
+	// require sheet id without sheet id bin
+	NLMISC::CSheetId::initWithoutSheet();
 
 	// create audiomixer
 	_AudioMixer = NULL;
@@ -153,9 +158,10 @@ void CSoundSystem::play(const std::string &soundName)
 {
 	if (_AudioMixer)
 	{
-		NLSOUND::USource *src = _AudioMixer->createSource(NLMISC::CStringMapper::map(soundName), true);
+		NLSOUND::USource *src = _AudioMixer->createSource(NLMISC::CSheetId(soundName, "sound"), true);
 		if (src)
 		{
+			// FIXME: Use relative positioning, and set pos to 0,0,0
 			src->setLooping(false);
 			const NLMISC::CVector &pos = _AudioMixer->getListener()->getPos();
 			src->setPos(pos);
@@ -172,9 +178,10 @@ NLSOUND::USource *CSoundSystem::create(const std::string &soundName)
 {
 	if (_AudioMixer)
 	{
-		NLSOUND::USource *src = _AudioMixer->createSource(NLMISC::CStringMapper::map(soundName), false);
+		NLSOUND::USource *src = _AudioMixer->createSource(NLMISC::CSheetId(soundName, "sound"), false);
 		if (src)
 		{
+			// FIXME: Use relative positioning, and set pos to 0,0,0
 			src->setLooping(false);
 			const NLMISC::CVector &pos = _AudioMixer->getListener()->getPos();
 			src->setPos(pos);
@@ -236,4 +243,4 @@ void CSoundSystem::releaseGraphics()
 	NL3D::UParticleSystemSound::setPSSound(NULL);
 }
 
-} /* namespace NLQT */
\ No newline at end of file
+} /* namespace NLQT */
diff --git a/code/nel/tools/sound/build_soundbank/build_soundbank.cpp b/code/nel/tools/sound/build_soundbank/build_soundbank.cpp
index 60abe4592..b8a79d9cf 100644
--- a/code/nel/tools/sound/build_soundbank/build_soundbank.cpp
+++ b/code/nel/tools/sound/build_soundbank/build_soundbank.cpp
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
 #include <nel/misc/log.h>
 #include <nel/misc/path.h>
 #include <nel/sound/u_audio_mixer.h>
+#include <nel/misc/sheet_id.h>
 
 // Project includes
 // ...
@@ -75,6 +76,9 @@ int main(int nNbArg, char **ppArgs)
 	// add search paths
 	CPath::addSearchPath(leveldesignDir, true, false);
 	CPath::addSearchPath(dfnDir, true, false);
+	
+	// init sheet_id.bin
+	NLMISC::CSheetId::initWithoutSheet();
 
 	// build the sound bank
 	UAudioMixer::buildSoundBank(exportDir);
diff --git a/code/ryzom/client/src/client_cfg.cpp b/code/ryzom/client/src/client_cfg.cpp
index f6f7d7e3f..84ba25060 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/client/src/client_cfg.cpp
+++ b/code/ryzom/client/src/client_cfg.cpp
@@ -419,7 +419,7 @@ CClientConfig::CClientConfig()
 
 	// only force patching under Windows by default
 #ifdef NL_OS_WINDOWS
-	PatchWanted = false;//true;
+	PatchWanted = true;
 #else
 	PatchWanted = false;
 #endif
diff --git a/code/ryzom/client/src/connection.cpp b/code/ryzom/client/src/connection.cpp
index 3f94368d5..ffbba52e9 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/client/src/connection.cpp
+++ b/code/ryzom/client/src/connection.cpp
@@ -2006,8 +2006,7 @@ public:
 	virtual void execute (CCtrlBase * /* pCaller */, const string &Params)
 	{
 		string sName = getParam(Params, "name");
-		//TStringId id = CStringMapper::map(sName);
-		CSheetId id = CSheetId(sName);
+		CSheetId id = CSheetId(sName, "sound");
 		if (SoundMngr != NULL)
 			SoundMngr->spawnSource(id,CVector(0,0,0));
 	}
diff --git a/code/ryzom/client/src/init.cpp b/code/ryzom/client/src/init.cpp
index d78864684..11d01934f 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/client/src/init.cpp
+++ b/code/ryzom/client/src/init.cpp
@@ -1265,6 +1265,19 @@ void postlogInit()
 		// set the primitive context
 		CPrimitiveContext::instance().CurrentLigoConfig = &LigoConfig;
 
+		{
+			H_AUTO(InitRZShIdI)
+
+			nmsg = "Initializing sheets...";
+			ProgressBar.newMessage ( ClientCfg.buildLoadingString(nmsg) );
+
+			// Initialize Sheet IDs.
+			CSheetId::init (ClientCfg.UpdatePackedSheet);
+
+			initLast = initCurrent;
+			initCurrent = ryzomGetLocalTime();
+		}
+
 		{
 			H_AUTO(InitRZSound)
 
@@ -1275,12 +1288,13 @@ void postlogInit()
 			{
 				// tmp fix : it seems that, at this point, if the bg downloader window has focus and
 				// not the Ryzom one, then sound init fails
-				#ifdef NL_OS_WINDOWS
+				/*#ifdef NL_OS_WINDOWS
 					HWND hWnd = Driver->getDisplay ();
 					nlassert (hWnd);
 					ShowWindow(hWnd, SW_RESTORE);
 					SetForegroundWindow(hWnd);
-				#endif
+				#endif*/
+				// bg downloader not used anymore anyways
 				SoundMngr = new CSoundManager(&ProgressBar);
 				try
 				{
@@ -1323,13 +1337,7 @@ void postlogInit()
 		}
 
 		{
-			H_AUTO(InitRZShIdI)
-
-			nmsg = "Initializing sheets...";
-			ProgressBar.newMessage ( ClientCfg.buildLoadingString(nmsg) );
-
-			// Initialize Sheet IDs.
-			CSheetId::init (ClientCfg.UpdatePackedSheet);
+			H_AUTO(InitRZSheetL)
 
 			// load packed sheets
 			nmsg = "Loading sheets...";