What is MIME type "audio/prs.sid"?

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

audio/prs.sid is a MIME type that signals a SID audio file. These files contain data for music created using the iconic audio chip from the Commodore 64.

The format stores commands and data that tell a player or emulator how to reproduce chiptune sound. The original routines were written for vintage hardware. Modern software interprets these instructions to generate authentic retro audio.

Files using this MIME type include formats like DXR, SID, and PSID.

Use cases and key facts include:

Main use: Playback of Commodore 64-style chiptune music through hardware emulation.
Collection and archival of vintage audio data.
Use in retro gaming and digital art projects.

For more details on the technology behind these files, see the C64 SID Chip Wikipedia page.

Associated file extensions

.dxr, .sid, .psid

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: audio/prs.sid

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.dxr, .sid, .psid

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.