OpenMPT manual — Module formats

What each module format can hold, in openmpt's words: MOD, S3M, XM, IT, MPTM and MIDI import, followed by the fifty-odd import-only formats and the compression containers OpenMPT opens.

Key claims#

• MOD: "the first file format for tracked music on the Commodore Amiga", introduced in a basic form by Karsten Obarski's Ultimate SoundTracker, extended by NoiseTracker and ProTracker (more effects, longer samples, more patterns); PC variants added channels, panning and more octaves. Four channels by default (OpenMPT allows up to 99; "few support more than 32"), 8-bit samples up to 128 KB, no instruments, always 64 rows, no initial tempo or time signature. OpenMPT offers MOD (Amiga) — 4 channels, ProTracker quirks and the Amiga range C-4–B-6 — and MOD (PC) — 8 channels, most quirks off, more octaves; since the file cannot store playback settings, re-open and listen through a finished MOD to check what OpenMPT guesses.
• S3M: added sample tuning (the exact frequency of middle C), more channels, a volume column, compressed patterns, initial tempo/speed/global volume/channel panning and a different effect set; uniquely mixes samples with OPL2 FM instruments, which OpenMPT emulates.
• XM: introduced instruments — volume and panning envelopes over samples, several samples per instrument — and instrument-based panning (an instrument number resets the channel's panning to the sample's); MOD letters plus a few of its own; auto-vibrato.
• IT: instruments also transpose their samples per note, add resonant filters and New Note Actions "to keep the number of pattern channels at a manageable amount while still being able to have a high polyphony"; channel-based panning like S3M; sample compression; "a more advanced set of S3M commands".
• MPTM: IT plus custom tunings, parameter control events, multiple sequences, tempo swing, fractional tempos, OPL3 instruments with envelopes, global resampling settings.
• Choosing: MPTM when files stay private; IT "offers the most features and is supported by a lot of software" for spreading modules; MOD, XM and S3M "only if you intend to target a platform or software that only supports those formats" — a 4-channel ProTracker MOD for a real Amiga.
• Import-only: 669, AMF, AMS, DBM, DIGI, DMF, DSM, FAR, GDM, MED, MO3, MT2, MTM, OKT, PSM, PTM, STM, ULT, UMX and more, including Future Composer, Game Music Creator, SoundTracker 2.6 and ProTracker 3.6 IFF. Compressed ZIP/RAR/LHA/GZ (also .mdz, .s3z, .xmz, .itz), MMCMP, XPK, PowerPacker; MO3 = module with MP3/Ogg samples.

Practical takeaways#

For chiptunes that must play everywhere, IT; for the Amiga, a 4-channel MOD (Amiga) and a listening pass after re-opening; S3M is the only classic format with FM instruments.

Notable quotes#

"Using the MOD, XM and S3M formats is only recommended if you intend to target a platform or software that only supports those formats."

Pages touched#

mod-format · s3m-format · xm-format · it-format · openmpt · protracker · chiptune · new-note-actions · opl-fm-instruments