Extract text from Atari ST audio files (YM)
To convert YM audio files to another format, you need Audio Overload or other Audio software.
To convert other file formats to the "Chiptune Sound File" file type, you need software like Audio Overload or a similar tool.
The .YM file format stores chiptune audio extracted from retro computers, specifically those utilizing the Yamaha YM2149 or AY-3-8910 Programmable Sound Generators (PSG). These chips were the audio backbone of classic 1980s systems, most notably the Atari ST, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum.
Opening a .YM file natively is impossible on modern operating systems without specialized emulator software. Standard media players fail to read it because the .YM format does not contain an actual audio stream like an MP3 or WAV. Instead, it contains interleaved raw register dumps recorded at 50Hz. These are essentially real-time instructions telling a specific hardware chip exactly how to synthesize sound.
The primary disadvantage of the .YM format is this absolute lack of modern hardware and software support. Because it relies on hardware emulation rather than standard audio codecs, you cannot use these files in modern video editing projects, web browsers, or smartphones.
To use these retro tracks today, you must convert them to standard digital audio formats. Converting to WAV or FLAC ensures you capture the exact, lossless waveform generated by the emulator, preserving the crisp square waves of the chiptune. Converting to MP3 drastically reduces the file size for easy sharing and streaming.
Converting .YM files is difficult because standard online converters lack the specialized emulation engines required to "play" the register dumps into a recordable audio buffer. Often, only dedicated legacy software can properly read or export the data. However, you can drag and drop your file into convert.guru to identify the format, inspect the file, and show internal metadata. If our analysis detects a supported emulation framework, viewing or conversion to common audio formats may still be possible.
Use Convert.Guru to open and convert your YM file.
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If you want to convert YM file to MP3, WAV, AAC, FLAC, OGG, WMA, M4A, AIFF, OPUS, ALAC, APE or WV, you can use Audio Overload or similar software from the "Chiptune Audio Storage" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….
To convert MIDI, AAC, TTA, AU, WV, DTS, MID, FLAC, RA, MP3, PCM or WAV files to YM, try Audio Overload or another comparable tool in the "Chiptune Audio Storage" category.
The history of Convert.Guru began over 25 years ago in California with Tom Simondi’s file-format database. A former contributor to Space Shuttle development and a software pioneer of the 1980s, Simondi established a trusted resource for file type analysis that was even referenced by Microsoft Windows XP. Today, we use modern technology to process and convert thousands of file formats while continually improving our YM converter.