PTM files contain plugin modules for DOS music tool Poly Tracker. The software was developed by Lone Ranger of AcmE to offers user maximum creative freedom with many different 8-bit samples and scores.

Poly Tracker was inspired by ScreamTracker tool. PTM files are similar in structure to the S3M files used by ScreamTracker. Many different versions of PTM format were released, mainly due to the large number of different module specifications created and the sheer scope of the project.