SAP (file format)

SAP is a file format that stores music data from Atari 8-bit computers, all of which use the POKEY sound chip. Most popular tunes were written between 1981-1987.

The format is similar to the SID, SPC or NSF formats, in that it is a music data format which is supported by a player, which emulates the central processing unit and sound hardware of the original hardware in order to play music.

SAP files can be played by a SAP player or plugin, currently available for a wide variety of platforms.{{cite web|title= Game music base - database of Games, Games music and soundtracks |url=http://www.mirsoft.info/gmb/format_info.php?id_ele=MTQ=|publisher=Mirsoft|access-date=30 March 2020}} For instance, on the Macintosh platform, VLC version 2 and above, both on PowerPC and Intel architectures, can play SAP files.{{cite web|title=SAP File Extension - What is a .sap file and how do I open it?|url=https://fileinfo.com/extension/sap |publisher=FileInfo|access-date=30 March 2020}} In addition, tools exist to convert SAP files to other formats.{{cite web|title=Atari SAP Music Archive|url=http://asma.atari.org/|publisher=Atari SAP Music Archive|access-date=30 March 2020}}