MOD (tracker module)
Also known as: MOD file, tracker module, Amiga module, module music
A MOD file is a "tracker module" — a music format that stores short instrument samples plus a sequence of notes telling the player when to trigger them. Originating on the Commodore Amiga, it packs full songs into tiny files.
- Stores samples plus a note sequence, not rendered audio
- Originated on the Commodore Amiga
- Very small files; played by tracker software
How tracker modules work
Unlike MP3, which stores rendered audio, a MOD stores the building blocks of a song: a handful of recorded instrument samples and a pattern grid of notes, channels, and effects. The player reconstructs the music in real time.
This makes module files remarkably small for the length of music they contain, which is why they powered demoscene and early game soundtracks on the Amiga.
Playing MOD files today
Tracker players such as OpenMPT and VLC, plus many emulators, play MOD files. The MOD family later expanded into more capable formats like XM and IT with more channels and effects.
To share a module as ordinary audio, render or convert it to MP3 or WAV.