MML

MML is an acronym that can refer to several concepts, but it is most commonly used to denote Music Macro Language, a family of simple, text-based music notation formats used to program music for vintage game consoles and software synthesizers. MML allows composers to specify melody and rhythm using characters and numbers, enabling playback by hardware sound chips and software synths. The design emphasizes compact, human-readable text rather than binary data, and multiple dialects existed across platforms and tools.

Historically, MML emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s among home computer and arcade game communities. It was used in music editors and trackers to encode chip-tuned songs that could be compiled for devices such as the Sega Genesis, Game Boy, and various PC sound cards. Over time, dialects evolved, introducing variations in syntax and command sets, while remaining backwards compatible in spirit.

In typical MML syntax, commands control tempo, octave, duration, and notes. Common elements include tempo (T or t, e.g., T120 or t120), default length (L or l, e.g., L4), and octave (O or o, e.g., O5). Notes are indicated by letter names A through G, sometimes with accidentals, and rests are represented by R. A simple example in many dialects is: t120 o4 l4 c d e f g a. More advanced dialects add volume control, channel selection, ties, and ornamentation.

Today, MML persists in hobbyist communities and retro game music tools, where it remains a convenient way to script melodies without graphical editors or audio samples. The acronym can also refer to other, context-specific uses in different fields.