Category: MIDI Convert

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How Do I Convert My MIDI Sequence to Audio?

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is an essential tool in modern music production, allowing musicians to create, edit, and play complex compositions. However, since MIDI files only contain performance data (such as which notes to play and how), they don’t produce actual sound on their own. To share or finalize your music, you often need to convert MIDI sequences into audio files like WAV or MP3. Here’s how to do it.

Why Convert MIDI to Audio?

Converting MIDI to audio is useful for several reasons:

  1. Playback Compatibility: MIDI files require a compatible instrument or software to generate sound, while audio files can be played on any device.
  2. Preserving Sound: Audio files capture the exact sound as it’s produced, including effects and instrument choices, ensuring consistent playback.
  3. Sharing and Distribution: Audio files are universally accessible, making them ideal for sharing your music on streaming platforms or social media.

Methods to Convert MIDI to Audio

There are multiple ways to convert MIDI sequences into audio files, depending on your setup and tools. Below are some common methods.

1. Using a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)

Most DAWs allow you to export MIDI tracks as audio files. Here’s a general process:

Step 1: Load Your MIDI File

  • Open your DAW and import the MIDI file.
  • Assign virtual instruments to each MIDI track to generate sound.

Step 2: Add Effects and Adjustments

  • Customize the sound by adding effects like reverb, delay, or EQ.
  • Adjust volume and panning to balance your mix.

Step 3: Export as Audio

  • In your DAW’s export menu, choose your preferred audio format (e.g., WAV, MP3).
  • Render the MIDI performance as an audio file.

Popular DAWs:

  • Ableton Live
  • FL Studio
  • Logic Pro
  • GarageBand
  • Cubase

2. Using a Virtual Instrument or Synthesizer

If you’re using a standalone virtual instrument or synthesizer:

Step 1: Load the MIDI Sequence

  • Import your MIDI file into the software.

Step 2: Adjust Settings

  • Choose your desired instrument sound and apply effects if available.

Step 3: Record the Output

  • Use the software’s export function to save the audio, or record the output in a DAW.

3. Using MIDI to Audio Conversion Software

Some dedicated tools and online converters are designed for this purpose:

  • MIDI to WAV Converter: A lightweight program for direct conversion.
  • Online MIDI Converters: Websites that convert MIDI files to audio formats using built-in sound engines.

How It Works:

  • Upload your MIDI file.
  • Select your desired audio format.
  • Download the converted audio file.

4. Recording External MIDI Instruments

If you’re using a hardware MIDI instrument (e.g., a synthesizer or drum machine):

Step 1: Connect the Instrument

  • Use audio cables to connect your instrument’s output to your computer’s audio interface.

Step 2: Play the MIDI Sequence

  • Send the MIDI data from your DAW to the external instrument.
  • The instrument will generate sound based on the MIDI sequence.

Step 3: Record the Audio

  • Record the instrument’s audio output in your DAW or using an external recorder.
  • Save the recorded file as an audio format.

Tips for Better Results

  • Choose High-Quality Virtual Instruments: The quality of the final audio depends heavily on the instruments used. Use high-quality virtual instruments or sound libraries for the best results.
  • Optimize Your Mix: Before exporting, ensure that your mix is well-balanced. Adjust levels, add effects, and refine dynamics to achieve a professional sound.
  • Export in High Resolution: If possible, export your audio files in lossless formats (e.g., WAV or FLAC) for the highest quality. You can always convert these files to compressed formats like MP3 later if needed.

Conclusion

Converting MIDI sequences to audio files is an essential step in producing and sharing your music. Whether you’re working in a DAW, using standalone software, or recording hardware instruments, the process is straightforward and ensures your compositions sound their best on any platform. By following the steps outlined above, you’ll be able to turn your MIDI creations into polished audio tracks ready for release.

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Rock 3 – Audio Loops

Rock-3 MIDI Drum LoopThree audio samples using the “Rock3 MIDI file” as the source.

Rock-3 can be found in either one of these collections:
Rock MIDI Drum Beats Master Collection - MIDI Tracks

Browse and download more Free MIDI files here.

All 3 samples are at 120bpm

1. Rock-3 MIDI File with a RnB Drum Kit as the sound source

2. Rock-3 MIDI File with a Tight Drum Kit as the sound source

3. Rock-3 MIDI File with a Rockmaster Drum Kit as the sound source

Download Rock-3 Source MIDI File

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Why MIDI is Better Than Audio Loops

Why MIDI is Better Than Audio Loops…

Here are a few good reasons.  And if you see any I’ve missed, let me know in the comments below.

MIDI
AUDIO LOOPS
User Editable
Yes
No
Pitch Transpose
Unlimited
Very Limited Range
Tempo Variation
Unlimited
Very Limited Range
Edit a single note in the pattern
Yes
No
Ability to change instrumentation
Yes
No
File Size
Tiny
Large
Device Compatibility
Wide Range
No
Software Compatibility
Wide Range
Somewhat Limited

To be fair though, there are some advantages to using sound loops though.  The primary benefit is that they are essentially ready ‘out of the box’. If you have software that can accept them, you simply plug them in and away you go. You don’t have to set up a sound source first.

But having said that, I will always love MIDI above all other forms of recording because of its HUGE flexibility.

MIDI ROCKS!

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MIDI Ringtones for Cell Phones

MIDI Ring Tones
MIDI Ring Tones

Are you tired of having the same ring on your phone as everyone else? Would you like a specific riff as a ring tone but can not find it or do not wish to pay high user fees to get it? Well the good news is now you can with the aid of your MIDI instruments.

Custom ring tones have been popular ever since cells phones allowed users to change the ring. A new industry has sprung up to meet the demand for custom ring tones. As part of this industry a new type of MIDI file has been introduced called SP-MIDI.

MIDI began as a way for electronic instruments to interact with each other, and any computer can play MIDI files. Recently a group of interested parties came together, including Beatnik, Nokia and the MIDI Manufacturers Association, to create an adaptation of MIDI to work in handheld devices such as cell phones and PDAs. SP-MIDI provides the flexibility to both the user and the mobile terminal manufacturer to address differing customer needs.

Generally speaking, these new phones come with 8 notes but higher priced models have up to 32 notes. As you would expect with MIDI, the same SP-MIDI file can be played on any phone that supports it regardless of the make or the number of tones available. This is a huge advantage for people who switch phones periodically as now they only have to get their custom tones once. From there they can transfer the files to their new device.

Here are steps in the process of making a MIDI file SP-MIDI compliant.

1. Create the MIDI file.

As I am sure you have surmised, the first step is to either select a MIDI file on your PC or to record a MIDI file on your PC.

There are many software packages available, some for free. Nokia Audio Suite allows you to use MIDI sequencer programs such as Cakewalk to create SP-MIDI files.

Anvil Studio is an excellent choice for general MIDI work if you do not already have software. Anvil Studio offers plug-ins that makes the creation of SP-MIDI files fast and easy.

2. Streamline the file.

Now comes the musical and picky part. After recording a piece or opening a MIDI file you need to ensure that there are no more than 4 voices and limit the sound volume. You will wish to limit the number of voices to 4 as that is the default setting for portable devices and limit the maximum volume of the piece so that it can be played even with a low battery or if there is high processor usage.

Limiting the number of voices means reducing the number of voices present. With pre-made MIDI files this can be a little difficult. Some MIDI files download from the web can contain as many as 23 voices, so it is a matter of deciding what voices are not important to the integrity of the piece. For example you may be able to eliminate the soft flute voice in the background of the piece.

With the MIDI file complete it is time to audition the MIDI file with limited voices. For this Beatnik is an excellent software package that can be tried for 14 days for free.

Nokia licenses beatnik so you will be able to hear the piece exactly as it will sound on your phone. While playing back the piece ensure there aren’t any extra voices, swells in volume and that it sounds good.

3. Convert the file to SP-MIDI

Now things get a little tricky, as we need to generate MIP data to make the MIDI file SP-MIDI compatible. MIP data insures that the device will know which tracks are the most important. According to the Beatnik SP-MIDI Best Practices Guide “Each channel used in a SP-MIDI file requires a MIP value.”

The MIP values, which are entered in hexadecimal and added to the start of the file, can be figured out manually according to the standards, but it is best if your software does this automatically. The process used to determine the values for the MIP table can be found in the links provided below.

Once you or your software package have added the MIP data to the MIDI file all that remains is to convert it to SP-MIDI by saving the file as SMF format 0. Depending upon the software you are using this can be done by selecting ‘save as’ from the file menu or changing the options for format. Exact details can be found in the instructions that came with the software.

4. Upload the file

Now that you have created your custom ring tones it is simply a matter of loading them into your phone. Each phone is a little different so you will have to refer to the manual that came with your phone for exact instructions. With some phones the rings can be loaded directly from your PC into the phone. For other phones you will need to use WAP. With WAP you dial a certain phone number to connect to the service provides or manufacturers network and select the file to load. Often you must pay for this service but there are a number of free options.

With all that work done you now have your own custom ring tones that you can change any time you like. Have a little fun and create your own theme music that changes depending upon your mood if you like. The possibilities are limitless.

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Converting MIDI files into Wav. Files (or .mp3, etc.)

MIDI Cables
MIDI Cables

Converting MIDI into any other audio format is not a “one click and you’re done” type of procedure. We discussed in the last email installment that MIDI is not audio data, it’s a language that allows musical instruments to talk with each other. That being the case, in order to get MIDI onto an audio CD or .MP3, you will need to record the midi data in ‘real time’. This can be done in a couple of different ways.

  • Get a MIDI to .wav converter program. One I would suggest to you is made by “MIDI converter”. This program works with many file types including .wav and .mp3 files. Click Here to download this great program: http://www.widisoft.com/
  • Assuming you want some control of how the end product sounds… you can record it manually. You will need to record the sounds you hear (created by the midi files) onto a recording device (probably your computer). These are the steps you will need to take to do that.
    • Once you select the midi file(s) you are wanting to record, select the sound source (This is what actually plays the MIDI file). In most cases this will be your computers sound card, however often a musician will want to use the sounds from a higher quality source, like a keyboard, drum machine, or external keyboard sound module. In the latter case, you will need to attach the external sound source to the computer via a MIDI connection. (depending on the model, you may be able to play the MIDI files from a floppy disk inserted directly into the unit, bypassing the need for a MIDI connection.)
    • Make sure that the midi file actually plays when you hit the play button.
    • Set up the sound source so that the music can be recorded as an audio signal.
      • In the case of an external sound source, simply connect the audio outputs to the “line in” of your computer.
      • If you are using a computer sound card, you will need to connect a short cable from the sound card’s “speaker output” to the sound card’s “line in” input. (Warning: if you don’t turn off the “line-in monitoring” in your sound card’s software settings, you will get massive feedback, so do that first.)

        There are some differences between “Line” and “Mic” inputs that you should keep in mind. The line level input functions in stereo whereas the mic input is usually only mono. The line input requires a louder, slightly ‘amplified’ signal (known as “pre-amp”). Weaker signals have trouble being picked up by a line input. The mic input however, is set to automatically amplify the incoming signal and therefore requires a weaker input signal that comes from a microphone. So don’t plug any line level signals into the mic input of your computer. In most cases, the audio signal coming from a ‘pre-amp’ sound source is too loud for the mic input to handle and you will get distortion (or worse… damage can be done). So be sure you hook it up right.

  • Press record on your computer’s software and then play the MIDI file.
  • Save the audio recording in whatever file format you want. You’re done.

As far as converting .Wav or .MP3 files into MIDI, there are solutions for this as well. You will need a “pitch analyzer”. There are many of these converter programs on the market. One I would suggest is the intelliscore converter program. That can be found here: http://www.intelliscore.net/

Some of these converter programs boast even being able to notate multiple pitches at the same time. For example, strumming a guitar and have the software recognize all six of the notes being played, or notating all the notes played on the radio. In the early days of Wav to MIDI detection this was nearly impossible and even getting one line to notate correctly was difficult. But with the advancement of technology comes better programming. Give it a shot and see for yourself.