What is MIME type "audio/module-xm"?

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

audio/module-xm is a MIME type for module music formats. It stores digital audio samples and the instructions on how to play them in real time.

Instead of saving a continuous audio stream, these files hold a series of notes, instrument settings, and effects. The player reconstructs the music on the fly. This makes the files small and efficient, ideal for retro games and demo scenes.

Main Use: It is used in tracker-based music applications and PC games.
Key Facts: The file combines sound samples with ordering patterns. This format supports dynamic changes and looping.
Other Uses: It is popular in hobbyist music creation, demo-scene productions, and custom game soundtracks.

Files with this MIME type include formats like MOD, FAR, XM, IT, STM, AMF, MED, WOW, DMF, S3M, 669, MTM, MT2, ULT, and OKT.

For more on how these module formats work, visit this reference.

Associated file extensions

.mod, .far, .xm, .it, .stm, .amf, .med, .wow, .dmf, .s3m, .669, .mtm, .mt2, .ult, .okt

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: audio/module-xm

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.mod, .far, .xm, .it, .stm, .amf, .med, .wow, .dmf, .s3m, .669, .mtm, .mt2, .ult, .okt

FAQs

How do I play audio/module-xm files in a web browser?

Most modern browsers do not natively support module formats like XM or MOD via the HTML5 <audio> tag. To play these files on a website, you typically need to implement a JavaScript-based player library such as libopenmpt or chiptune2.js.

Which software can open files with this MIME type?

You need a dedicated module player or "tracker" software. Popular media players like VLC Media Player and Winamp support these formats, as do specialized tools like OpenMPT (Open ModPlug Tracker) and XMPlay.

How do I configure my web server to serve module files?

For Apache, add AddType audio/module-xm .xm .mod .it .s3m to your .htaccess file. For Nginx, add audio/module-xm xm mod it s3m; inside the types { ... } block in your mime.types or configuration file.

What is the difference between audio/module-xm and audio/mpeg?

While audio/mpeg (MP3) stores a recorded waveform of the final sound, audio/module-xm stores musical notation and instrument samples, similar to a digital sheet music file. This makes module files significantly smaller and allows for infinite, seamless looping without degradation.

Why does my browser download the file instead of playing it?

Browsers are configured to download unknown file types by default for security and usability. Since audio/module-xm is not a standard playable web format, the browser treats it as a binary download unless a specific plugin or script intercepts it.

Can I convert audio/module-xm files to standard MP3 or WAV?

Yes, you can "render" the module file to a standard audio stream. Software like OpenMPT or Audacity (with FFmpeg) allows you to open the tracker file and export it as a standard .wav or .mp3 for universal compatibility.

Is audio/module-xm the only MIME type for tracker music?

No, because there is no single standardized IANA type for these formats, you may see variations. Common alternatives include audio/x-mod, audio/xm, audio/it, or audio/x-s3m, depending on the specific server configuration or client application.

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.