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

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

The MIME type audio/x-sid identifies files that hold music data created for the Commodore 64 SID chip.
This chip produced the iconic sounds of early computer and video game music.

Instead of raw audio, a SID file contains instructions for synthesizing music.
This lets compatible players recreate the sounds by emulating the original hardware.

Playing retro game tunes and chiptunes
Running music in emulators and dedicated SID players
Preserving the distinct audio style of the 1980s

Technical players like VICE or SIDPlay use these instructions to mimic the authentic audio characteristics of the SID chip.
This format remains popular among retro computing enthusiasts.

For more details on the SID chip, visit the Wikipedia page on the Sound Interface Device.

Associated file extensions

.sid

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: audio/x-sid

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.sid

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.