What is MIME type "audio/csound"?

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

audio/csound is a MIME type for files that contain instructions for sound synthesis using the Csound language.
It does not store actual audio recordings but rather code that directs a sound engine on how to generate audio in real time.

Orchestra Files: Files like ORC define instruments and signal processing routines.
Unified Files: Files like CSD combine both orchestra and score instructions into one file.
Score Files: Files like SCO provide timing and note data that work with the orchestra.

This MIME type is used in electronic music composition, algorithmic sound design, and audio research. Programs that support Csound read these files to synthesize detailed and customizable audio output.
For further reading on Csound and its applications, visit csound.com.

Associated file extensions

.orc, .csd, .sco

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: audio/csound

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.orc, .csd, .sco

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.