What is MIME type "audio/atrac-x"?

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

The MIME type audio/atrac-x is used for files encoded with the Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding algorithm. These files use advanced compression to keep file sizes small while retaining good audio quality.

It is a proprietary format developed for systems where efficient storage and playback are critical. The technology is often found in specialized audio environments and certain portable devices. Current file types that implement this format include AT3 and AA3.

Efficient Compression: Reduces file size with minimal quality loss.
Optimized Performance: Supports smooth playback on resource-limited devices.
Proprietary Use: Common in systems that rely on Sony’s audio technology.

Learn more about this technology on ATRAC on Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.at3, .aa3

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: audio/atrac-x

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="audio/atrac-x">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', 'audio/atrac-x');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.at3, .aa3

FAQs

What is the audio/atrac-x MIME type used for?

This MIME type represents audio files encoded with Sony's ATRAC (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding) technology. It is primarily used for proprietary audio formats found in Sony devices, such as the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and MiniDisc, usually with the .at3 or .aa3 extensions.

Which file extensions are associated with audio/atrac-x?

The most common file extensions for this MIME type are .at3 and .aa3. These files are often used for game audio loops or compressed music tracks in Sony's ecosystem.

Do web browsers support audio/atrac-x playback?

No, standard web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari) do not support ATRAC files natively in HTML5 audio players. To ensure audio plays on a website, you should convert these files to a widely supported format like MP3 or WAV.

How do I open an .at3 or .aa3 file?

You typically need Sony-specific software like Sound Forge or ACID Pro to edit these files. for playback, versatile media players like VLC or foobar2000 (often requiring the vgmstream component) can decode audio/atrac-x content.

How do I configure Apache to serve audio/atrac-x files?

To ensure your Apache server sends the correct headers for these files, add the following line to your .htaccess file or server configuration: AddType audio/atrac-x .at3 .aa3.

Why does my media player fail to play audio/atrac-x files?

This format is proprietary and requires specific codecs that are not installed by default on most operating systems. If your player fails, try installing a codec pack or using FFmpeg to convert the file to a standard format.

How can I convert audio/atrac-x to MP3?

You can use the command-line tool FFmpeg to convert these files. A typical command would be ffmpeg -i input.at3 output.mp3. Note that decoding support may vary depending on the specific version of ATRAC (e.g., ATRAC3 vs. ATRAC3plus) used in the file.

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.