What is MIME type "application/x-pek"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

application/x-pek is a non‐standard MIME type used for Adobe Audio Waveform data. It is made to store precomputed waveform information for audio editing.

This MIME type is linked to files with the extension PEK. These files help audio software show waveforms quickly without recalculating them every time you open a project. They are mainly used to improve performance in environments that process audio waveforms.

Main Use: Accelerates audio waveform display in editing software.
Functionality: Holds pre-analyzed audio data for quick visual reference.
Context: Common in Adobe audio or video editing workflows.

These files are created automatically by the software. Users normally do not need to edit or manage them manually.

Learn more about MIME types and their roles in modern computing from the MIME Types Overview.

Associated file extensions

.pek

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: application/x-pek

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/x-pek">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');    
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {    
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/x-pek');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.pek

FAQs

What is the application/x-pek MIME type used for?

The MIME type application/x-pek represents Adobe Peak Waveform files. These files contain precomputed visual data used by Adobe software like Premiere Pro and Audition to display audio waveforms instantly without re-scanning the original audio source.

Can I safely delete files associated with application/x-pek?

Yes, it is generally safe to delete .pek files. Since they are cache files generated automatically by the software to improve performance, the application will simply regenerate them the next time you open the associated project or media file.

How do I configure a web server to serve .pek files correctly?

To serve these files with the correct MIME type, you must update your server configuration. For Apache, add AddType application/x-pek .pek to your .htaccess file. For Nginx, add application/x-pek pek; inside the types { } block of your nginx.conf.

How do I open a file with the application/x-pek content type?

You cannot open these files directly in a standard media player or text editor. They are proprietary helper files meant to be read internally by Adobe Creative Cloud applications such as Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, or Audition.

Do web browsers support displaying application/x-pek files?

No, web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge do not have native support for rendering application/x-pek data. If you link to a .pek file on a webpage, the browser will typically prompt the user to download the file rather than displaying it.

Why does this MIME type start with 'x-'?

The x- prefix in application/x-pek indicates that it is a non-standard or experimental MIME type not registered with the IANA. It is specific to Adobe's ecosystem, distinguishing it from standard types found on mime-type.com.

General FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.