What is the SNG file format?
The .sng extension is used by several unrelated audio programs, making it one of the more ambiguous audio file extensions. At least five different applications create incompatible .sng files:
- Midisoft Studio (Windows 3.x/95, circa 1993) - a proprietary MIDI sequencer container and the original Song file meaning for this extension
- GoatTracker 2 - an actively developed C64 SID chiptune tracker;
.sngfiles begin with aGTS5header and store pattern data, instruments, and order lists for the SID chip - Korg Pa/Triton keyboards - proprietary song and arrangement data for Korg hardware synthesizers
- Nokia Smart Messaging (early 2000s) - a text-based ringtone format for early mobile phones
- n-Track Studio - a DAW project format, later renamed to
.ntrk
GoatTracker 2 is the only actively maintained application still producing .sng files. Midisoft Studio files can sometimes be imported as MIDI via Cakewalk. Because the extension is shared by incompatible formats, .sng files should always be opened with the application that created them.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWSNG files are data-only audio project files with no executable code. Safe to open in the correct application.
Format details
in a nutshellFULL NAMESong File (MIDI / tracker)aka MIDI Song File, GoatTracker Song
DEVELOPERVarious (no single owner - see db_audit_notes)since 1990s (MIDI-based SNG from Midisoft Studio ~1993; GoatTracker SNG 2001)
CATEGORYAudio Files
MIME TYPEapplication/octet-stream (no registered MIME)
TYPEAmbiguous: multiple incompatible binary/text formats share this extension
This extension is also used by…
- GoatTracker SID Chiptune Song - C64 SID music tracker format with 'GTS5' magic header; actively maintained (last release 2022+).
- Korg Keyboard Song/Arrangement File - Proprietary song project format used by Korg Pa-series and Triton workstations.
- Nokia Smart Messaging Ringtone - Early 2000s text-based ringtone format for Nokia phones using RTTTL-like notation.
MAGIC BYTES · FILE SIGNATURE
OFFSET
00010203
HEX
47545335
ASCII
GTS5
Only for GoatTracker SNG. Midisoft Studio SNG has no known public magic bytes (proprietary binary). Korg SNG is also proprietary binary. Nokia Smart Messaging SNG (early 2000s) is text-based.
Programs that open SNG files
Windows3 apps
GoatTracker 2
Open-source Open GoatTracker 2, then File → Load Song (.sng). For GoatTracker-format files only.
Cakewalk by BandLab
Free Try File → Import → MIDI for Midisoft-origin SNG files; not guaranteed to work but historically best option. 
macOS1 app
Linux1 app
Technical details
deep spec| Encoding | Binary (GoatTracker, Korg, Midisoft variants); plain text (Nokia Smart Messaging variant) |
| GoatTracker magic bytes | 47 54 53 35 - ASCII: GTS5 (at offset 0) |
| GoatTracker byte order | Little-endian |
| GoatTracker format version | GTS5 (v2.x current); GTS4 (v1.x legacy) |
| GoatTracker structure | GTS5 header + 32-byte song name + 32-byte author + 32-byte copyright + subtune count + orderlists + instruments + pattern data |
| GoatTracker typical size | 2 KB - 50 KB |
| Korg usage | Proprietary song and arrangement data for Pa-series and Triton keyboard workstations |
| Midisoft Studio origin | Windows 3.x/95 era MIDI sequencer (~1993); discontinued; binary format is undocumented |
| Known implementations | Midisoft Studio, GoatTracker 2, Korg Pa/Triton, Nokia Smart Messaging, n-Track Studio (5 incompatible formats) |
| Active development | GoatTracker 2 is the only actively maintained software still producing .sng files |
| Platform support | Windows, macOS, Linux (GoatTracker); DOS (Midisoft era); hardware synthesizers (Korg) |
| Compression | None (all known variants) |
| Interoperability | Midisoft SNG can sometimes be imported to MIDI via Cakewalk; other variants are mutually incompatible |
| Released | 1990s (MIDI-based SNG from Midisoft Studio ~1993; GoatTracker SNG 2001) |
| Latest version | GoatTracker 2 SNG: header tag 'GTS5'; Korg Pa-series SNG: varies by keyboard model |
| Specification | github.com |
SNG conversions
Possible
Community Q&A
asked by usersNo questions yet - be the first to ask about SNG files.
Frequently asked questions
How do I open an SNG file?
It depends on which program created it. GoatTracker SNG files open in GoatTracker 2 (free, Windows/macOS/Linux). Midisoft SNG files may import into Cakewalk or Band-in-a-Box. Korg SNG files are for Korg keyboards.
Can I convert SNG to MP3?
Not directly. For GoatTracker SNG: export to .sid format, play with a SID player and record the audio. For MIDI-type SNG: import into a DAW like Cakewalk, then render to WAV and convert to MP3.
Can I convert SNG to MIDI?
Only Midisoft-origin SNG files may import as MIDI in modern DAWs (Cakewalk). GoatTracker SNG cannot be converted to MIDI because it targets C64 SID hardware, not General MIDI.
What is a GoatTracker SNG file?
A chiptune music project for the C64 SID chip, created in GoatTracker - a cross-platform C64 music editor. The file starts with 'GTS5' and contains instruments, patterns, and orderlists for SID synthesis.
References
1GoatTracker 2 project (SourceForge)sourceforge.net
2GoatTracker documentation (ChiptuneSAK)chiptunesak.readthedocs.io
