.142 — MidiSys

Roland · 1988

Developer

Roland

Key Features

Stores musical performance instructions, not audio.
Compact file size due to data format.
Requires a compatible MIDI synthesizer to produce sound.
Commonly found in vintage video game soundtracks.

Best For

Emulating sound from specific vintage Roland synthesizers.
Storing sequences of musical notes and controller data.
Producing complex arrangements with limited storage space.
Sound design for retro-style games.

Less Ideal For

Storing actual recorded audio (like vocals or live instruments).
Cross-platform audio playback without specialized software.
High-fidelity audio production requiring waveform data.
Sharing music in a universally compatible format.

Common Use Cases

Playing background music in classic PC games.
Creating sound effects for interactive applications.
Archiving musical arrangements for specific Roland hardware.
Demonstrating the capabilities of the Roland MT-32 synthesizer.

How to Open It

Use a MIDI player or sequencer software that supports Roland MT-32 emulation (e.g., MuseScore, VanBasco's Karaoke Player).
Load the file into a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) and route it to a MIDI synthesizer VST/plugin configured for MT-32 sounds.
Some retro gaming emulators may have built-in support for playing .142 files as part of game audio.

What is a .142 file?

The .142 file extension is most commonly associated with Roland's MT-32 synthesizer, a popular sound module from the late 1980s and early 1990s. These files contain MIDI data, which is a set of instructions for musical instruments rather than actual audio waveforms. This means .142 files specify notes, timing, pitch, and other performance parameters. They were frequently used in video games and early computer music applications to generate sound through compatible hardware synthesizers. Because they are instruction sets, .142 files are typically very small.

Programs That Open .142 Files

Platform	Program
Windows	MuseScore	Free
	VanBasco's Karaoke Player	Free
macOS	MuseScore	Free
Linux	MuseScore	Free

How to Convert .142 Files

Format	Method
.MIDI	MIDI sequencer software, DAW plugins

Common Problems with .142 Files

⚠️ Cannot play the file directly as audio.

You need a MIDI player or synthesizer software configured to interpret the .142 format and generate sound.

⚠️ Sound quality is poor or incorrect.

Ensure your playback software is correctly emulating the Roland MT-32 or that you are using appropriate soundfonts/VSTs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a .142 file an audio recording?▼

No, it's a set of instructions (MIDI data) that tell a synthesizer how to play music.

Can I open a .142 file with any media player?▼

Generally no, you need specialized MIDI playback software or a DAW with MIDI synthesis capabilities.

Is this format still relevant today?▼

It's primarily relevant for retro gaming enthusiasts and those working with vintage synthesizers or emulations of them.

Technical Details

A .142 file contains a sequence of MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) messages. Unlike audio files that store actual sound, MIDI files store performance commands like note-on, note-off, velocity, and instrument selection. This format is a proprietary variant used by Roland for their early synthesizer modules. The '142' designation likely relates to a specific Roland product code or internal naming convention.

Did You Know?

The MT-32 was famously used to create the iconic soundscapes for games like King's Quest and Space Quest.

MIDI files store data in a very efficient way, allowing complex musical pieces to be represented in just a few kilobytes.

Security Information

As .142 files are instruction sets and do not contain executable code, they are generally considered safe. However, as with any file, avoid downloading from untrusted sources to prevent potential malware disguised as a valid file.