Music Macro Language

Music Macro Language (MML) is a method of transcribing musical notation as sequence data, which then gets processed into binary performance data, akin to MIDI, for a computer to playback. Most popularly, this syntax can be used to create chiptune music.

Syntax

MML has many variations, but the majority of those languages share a similar syntax.

Syntax	Description
oX	Set octave for the rest of notes before the next <, > and oX. For example, o6 will set the octave to 6. The range is depending on platform.
c, d, e, f, g, a, b	Play a note. Use + or - after the letter to specify a sharp or flat, respectively. A number should appear after the note; this number should denote the note's duration. 1 is a whole note, 2 is a half note, 4 a quarter note, 8 an eighth note, etc. If no duration is specified, then the duration will be the value specified by the l command.
r	Play a rest. Similar to a normal note, the number after it defines its length.
^	Play a tie (extending pervious note, rest or tie). Similar to a normal note, the number after it defines its length.
<, >	Decrease or increase octave by 1. The direction is depending on platform, but both of them should be opposite each other.
lXX	Defining the default length of a note when the length is not specified. For example, l4 will set the default length to a quarter note.
@	Set instrument for a channel. The range is depending on platform.
v	Set channel volume. The range is depending on platform.

Convert to MML

There are a handful of tools help you convert other sequence formats to MML:

• PetiteMM, MIDI to MML command-line converter. Java is required to use this tool.

MML usage in SNES ROM hacking

There are a handful of tools known to incorporate MML syntax into editing the music for existing SNES games:

• ZScream Magic, for The Legend of Zelda - A Link to the Past
• AddMusicY, for Yoshi's Island
• AddMusic, for Super Mario World
• LazyShell, for Super Mario RPG

See Also

• I Compared Various MIDI to MML Programs (Japanese)