What is MIME type "audio/x-psid"?

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

audio/x-psid is a MIME type for files that carry Commodore 64 chip tune music.
It signals that the file holds program code meant to control the SID sound chip instead of standard audio data.
Files in this format include those with extensions SID and PSID.
These files are played using emulators or specialized players that simulate the original hardware.

Retro Music: They recreate sound from the Commodore 64 era, capturing its unique character.
Emulation: Software interprets the code to mimic the SID chip, ensuring authentic playback.
Customization: Artists can tweak the code to produce new chip tunes while preserving old styles.
Non-standard Usage: The “x-” prefix shows it is unofficial but widely used in retro computing circles.

Learn more about vintage computing and chip tune music at Commodore 64 on Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.sid, .psid

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: audio/x-psid

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.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.