.PTT File Extension

Pro Tools Session Template

Developer	Avid Technology
Popularity	Average rating 3.5 / 5. Vote count: 11
Category	Audio Files
Format	.PTT
Cross Platform	Update Soon

What is an PTT file?

The .PTT file extension is associated primarily with ‘Power Tab Editor’ files, a specialized type of file format used for guitar and bass tablature.

These files are created and used by Power Tab Editor, a freeware application designed to create and edit sheet music for stringed instruments.

Despite its niche use, the .PTT format holds significant importance for musicians, especially guitarists and bassists, looking to write or learn music through a digital medium.

More Information.

Power Tab Editor, the program responsible for creating .PTT files, was first released in the early 2000s. The software was designed to allow musicians to transcribe music for guitar and bass easily.

Its initial purpose was to provide a free, user-friendly platform for writing and sharing tablature, a format that is easier for many stringed instrument players to read compared to traditional music notation.

Over the years, it has evolved, offering more features and a more intuitive interface, but its core purpose remains the same: to facilitate the creation, editing, and sharing of guitar and bass music sheets.

Origin Of This File.

The .PTT file extension originated from the Power Tab Editor software, developed by Brad Larsen. The software emerged as a solution for musicians who required a digital method to create, edit, and share tablature, an alternative form of musical notation for stringed instruments.

Unlike standard musical notation, tablature indicates instrument fingering rather than musical pitches, making it especially popular among guitarists and bassists.

File Structure Technical Specification.

A .PTT file is a text file that contains tablature, chord diagrams, and other musical notations specific to stringed instruments.

The file structure is relatively straightforward, with the file containing information about the song (such as the artist, title, and lyrics), the instruments used, and the actual tablature notation.

This information is encoded in a way that Power Tab Editor can interpret and display it appropriately. The software also supports standard musical notation alongside tablature, making it a versatile tool for musicians.

How to Convert the File?

Converting a .PTT (Power Tab) file to other formats allows musicians and composers to share their work across different platforms and software. Here’s a guide on how to convert .PTT files on various operating systems:

1. For Windows:

Using Power Tab Editor:

Open the .PTT file with Power Tab Editor.
Go to the ‘File’ menu and select ‘Export’.
Choose the desired output format (MIDI, HTML, or plain text).
Save the new file in your preferred location.

Third-Party Software:

Use conversion software compatible with Windows to convert .PTT files to other formats like PDF or GPX (Guitar Pro).
Download and install the conversion software.
Follow the specific instructions provided by the software to open and convert the .PTT file.

2. For Mac (Using Wine or Third-Party Software):

Using Wine:

Install Wine on your Mac.
Use Wine to run Power Tab Editor.
Follow the same steps as in Windows to convert the file using Power Tab Editor.

Third-Party Software:

Find and install software that can open and convert .PTT files.
Open the .PTT file in the application.
Export or save the file in your desired format.

3. For Linux (Using Wine or Online Tools):

Using Wine:

Install Wine on your Linux system.
Use Wine to run Power Tab Editor.
Open the .PTT file and export it to your desired format.

Online Conversion Tools:

Use an online conversion tool that supports .PTT files.
Upload your .PTT file to the website.
Choose the output format and convert the file.
Download the converted file.

4. For Android and iOS:

Direct conversion on Android and iOS devices might not be straightforward due to the lack of native support for .PTT files. However, you can:

Convert on Desktop and Transfer:

Use a desktop computer to convert the .PTT file into a more compatible format like PDF or GPX (for Guitar Pro).
Transfer the converted file to your Android or iOS device via email, cloud storage, or direct file transfer.

Use Compatible Apps:

Some tablature apps on these platforms might not open .PTT files directly but can import other formats like GPX.
Convert the .PTT file to a compatible format on your desktop.
Import the converted file into the app on your mobile device.

Advantages And Disadvantages.

Advantage:

Accessibility: Power Tab Editor is freeware, making .PTT files accessible to anyone with a computer.
Ease of Use: The software is user-friendly, with a straightforward interface that allows musicians to transcribe music quickly.
Educational Tool: For learners, .PTT files are invaluable as they provide a visual representation of where to place fingers on the instrument.

Disadvantage:

Software Dependence: To view or edit .PTT files, one must have Power Tab Editor or a compatible software, which may limit accessibility.
Niche Use: As it is primarily used for guitar and bass, its utility is limited to musicians of these instruments.
Lack of Standardization: Different tablature software may not be compatible with .PTT files, leading to issues in file sharing and compatibility.

How to Open PTT?

Open In Windows

Power Tab Editor:

Download and install Power Tab Editor from its official website.
Double-click on the .PTT file, and it should automatically open in Power Tab Editor if the installation was successful.
If the file doesn’t open, right-click on the file, select ‘Open with’, and choose Power Tab Editor.

TuxGuitar with PowerTab Importer:

Install TuxGuitar, a multi-platform software that can also open tab files.
Add the PowerTab importer plugin to TuxGuitar to enable opening of .PTT files.

Open In Linux

Wine:

Install Wine, a free compatibility layer that allows you to run Windows applications on Linux.
Install Power Tab Editor using Wine.
Open .PTT files with Power Tab Editor through Wine.

TuxGuitar:

Install TuxGuitar directly on Linux.
Add the necessary plugins to open .PTT files if required.

Open In MAC

Wine or PlayOnMac:

Use Wine or PlayOnMac, a utility to help run Windows programs on macOS.
Install Power Tab Editor using Wine or PlayOnMac.
Open the .PTT files with Power Tab Editor.

TuxGuitar:

Install TuxGuitar on macOS.
Open .PTT files directly if the format is supported, or add the necessary plugins.

Open In Android

Dedicated Tab Reader Apps:

Use tab reader apps available on the Google Play Store, like TuxGuitar, Guitar Pro, or similar.
You might need to convert the .PTT file to a more widely supported format like .GPX or .PDF on a computer before transferring it to your Android device.

Open In IOS

Dedicated Tab Reader Apps:

Similar to Android, use iOS apps like Guitar Pro, Tab Pro, or others that can open guitar tab files.
Convert the .PTT file to a compatible format using a computer and then transfer it to your iOS device.

Open in Others

Online Tab Converters:

Use online services that convert .PTT files to more common formats like .PDF or .GPX, which can then be opened by a variety of software on multiple platforms.

Multi-Platform Software like TuxGuitar:

For platforms like Chrome OS or others, using web-based tools or installing software like TuxGuitar (if supported) can be a solution.
Ensure you have the necessary plugins or software dependencies installed to open .PTT files.