What is MIME type "audio/dls"?

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

audio/dls is the MIME type for files that contain downloadable sound data. These files are designed to supply sound banks for synthesizers and MIDI systems.

They let software update or extend the available instrument sounds easily. The file format bundles audio samples along with playback instructions for accurate reproduction.

Main use: It provides sound banks for virtual instruments and synthesizers.
Other uses: It is used in multimedia, gaming, and any application that benefits from dynamic sound sample loading.
Functionality: The format stores both the raw audio samples and the parameters needed to process them.

Files using this MIME type have the format DLS and enable applications to download and incorporate detailed sound libraries on demand. For more technical details, check out Downloadable Sound on Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.dls

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: audio/dls

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.dls

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.