What is MIME type "audio/midi"?

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

audio/midi is a MIME type for files that store musical instructions—not recorded sound.
It carries data that directs synthesizers to play notes, set tempos, and choose instruments. This data is like a digital score that instructs how music should sound when played.

Key uses and facts:

Digital Composition: The format is common in music production and sequencing software.
Interactive Media: Video games and multimedia apps use it for adaptive and dynamic soundtracks.
Karaoke Systems: Some files include lyrics and timing data, enhancing the karaoke experience.

Files of this MIME type often come with extensions such as MIDI, MID, KAR, and RMI.
These files are lightweight and allow for easy editing of musical data. They enable devices and software to generate sound in real time based on the provided instructions.

For additional technical details, check the IANA media types registry or the MIDI official website.

Associated file extensions

.midi, .mid, .kar, .rmi

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: audio/midi

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.midi, .mid, .kar, .rmi

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.