Updated Dec 2004: New Version 2.0
XMF Specification
XMF (eXtensible Music Format) is a family of music-related file formats created and administered by the MIDI Manufacturer's Association (and AMEI in Japan). The XMF Working Group was formed with the following goal:
Create an open standard file format for gathering together into a single file all media assets (and/or links to external media assets) required to render a MIDI note-based piece (or suite of related pieces) in a computer-based player (or possibly an instrument) with consistent audio playback across all players and platforms, and suited for interactivity, content protection, meta-data, and the Internet – and keep it simple.
XMF 1.0: In 2001 MMA released the XMF Meta File Format 1.0 Specification, and defined Type 0 and Type 1 XMF Files for combining Standard MIDI Files (SMF) and custom DLS Files with standard General MIDI instruments.
XMF 1.01: Some fixes and enhancements resulting in Version 1.01 of the XMF Meta File Format and Type 0/1 XMF files. The XMF 1.01 Update (pdf) to the 1.0 Specification is available for free download.XMF 2.00: This change to the header format makes it easier to assign MIME Media Types to new XMF File Types, starting with Mobile XMF. The XMF 2.00 Update (pdf) to the 1.0 Specification is available for free download
XMF Enhancements
- UnPackerID for ZLIB: enabling ZLIB compression to be used in an XMF file
- Mobile XMF: enabling Mobile DLS instruments and SP-MIDI scores to be used in an XMF file
The XMF Working Group continues to define new XMF functionality. Further XMF File Types are expected in the future, all based on the same XMF Meta File Format.
XMF Registered IDs
The XMF Specification defines XMF UnPackerIDs and ResourceFormatIDs that may only be obtained from the MMA, and must be registered before use, to prevent collision with other XMF implementations. The official public list of Registered IDs is available on this web site and updated continuously as new IDs are assigned. To apply for an XMF Registered ID, please use our contact form.
XMF Authoring Tools
As we hear about them, we will post links to XMF Content Authoring Tools and related products on our XMF Products page.