How can I convert Midi sequence into something I can work wi

[jackm]

Hi, i'm the new-old man on the forum. Since retireing I spend a lot of time at my computer. I love working with music. I've been a musician most of my life. I have a problem With "midi sequences"
Is there a way to convert them to a format such as WAV, OGG, MP3 so that I can edit or add effects etc.
The're nice to listen to but there not much good if you can't use them. I make photo slide shows of my grand kids and other family but can't use midi in the background. I will appreciate any advice.
thank you, jack

[Hovmod]

Hm. Welcome.
Midi is almost as old as you, and means 'musical instrument digital interface'. It's a protocol for musical stuff, kind of like notes but not quite. It's a set of instructions that doesn't contain the actual music, but tells receiveing equipment how to make music happen by following those instructions (exactly like notes). Back in the old days all the sounds would live on external modules, but now you can have everything on your computer, of course. So what you need is a program that understands how to read MIDI files, and that has a bank of sounds that can be used to play back those files as music. To make a wav file (that in turn can be compressed to mp3 or ogg to save space) from midi, you need to play it with a program that understands it. You're in a way asking how can I make an album of this sheet music.

So what program?
That's a question that will give you a million answers.
How much money do you want to spend? How natural do you want it to sound? How much work will you put into it?

I'm not sure what to tell you.
Anyone else have a suggestion?

[carlos]

I think there's a steep learning curve to climb, depending on the level of quality of the sounds you want to produce, you will need a host (like traction) to load virtual instruments into, either 1 instrument for guitar, 1 for drums, 1 for keyboard etc or find a general midi instrument that will play everything, I suggest searching the internet for tutorials on midi

[Hayek777]

Jack,

What software are you using?

Here is a program that will turn midi files into wav files http://www.midi2wav.com/

[P.T.]

If you mean midi files that you have downloaded from the net instead of composing your own you might try Synthfont. It is free and will play the midi files. You will also need to get a GM soundfont bank to load into Synthfont which will provide the actual sounds.

If you want to compose music you will need a sequencer like Tracktion, FL studio or many others. These can also play those downloded midi files but are not free.

It's all fairly complicated when you don't know what it's all about, but if you go slow, read the forums and ask follow up questions you'll eventually get going.

[Sepheritoh]

There is a short answer to this. There are shareware programs that can convert midi to audio like melody assistant

http://www.myriad-online.com/en/products/melody.htm

To get much more realistic sounding instruments you have to use what is called "soundfonts" or "sound libraries". Then you get into bigger expense.

[P.T.]

Wow, it's like playing pile on.
3 answers in 8 minutes.

[Sepheritoh]

That was 3 answers in 1 (ONE) minute!!!!

[jackm]

I think there's a steep learning curve to climb, depending on the level of quality of the sounds you want to produce, you will need a host (like traction) to load virtual instruments into, either 1 instrument for guitar, 1 for drums, 1 for keyboard etc or find a general midi instrument that will play everything, I suggest searching the internet for tutorials on midi

Thank you, I've got an old yamaha keyboard [8 or 10 years old] That i've had for years.It has midi on it. I never paid it much attention, I just enjoyed the key board.I've been into computers about 4 years now. been editing some of my old music and making new tracks with "Music Maker 2005 Deluxe" adding fx
etc. I also like "Audacity" thanks, jack

[jackm]

Jack,

What software are you using?

Here is a program that will turn midi files into wav files http://www.midi2wav.com/

thank you, I do have a lot to learn. Thanks for the link. jack
Ones never too old to learn

[jackm]

There is a short answer to this. There are shareware programs that can convert midi to audio like melody assistant

http://www.myriad-online.com/en/products/melody.htm

To get much more realistic sounding instruments you have to use what is called "soundfonts" or "sound libraries". Then you get into bigger expense.

Thanks, jack

[jackm]

That was 3 answers in 1 (ONE) minute!!!!

I'm glad I found You all. I've tapped into a lot of knowledge. jack

[jackm]

Jack,

What software are you using?

Here is a program that will turn midi files into wav files http://www.midi2wav.com/

I'm using "Music Maker 2005 Deluxe" also "Audacity"
Thanks for the link, jack

[Hayek777]

Jack,

What software are you using?

Here is a program that will turn midi files into wav files http://www.midi2wav.com/

I'm using "Music Maker 2005 Deluxe" also "Audacity"
Thanks for the link, jack

no problem

[jackm]

If you mean midi files that you have downloaded from the net instead of composing your own you might try Synthfont. It is free and will play the midi files. You will also need to get a GM soundfont bank to load into Synthfont which will provide the actual sounds.

If you want to compose music you will need a sequencer like Tracktion, FL studio or many others. These can also play those downloded midi files but are not free.

It's all fairly complicated when you don't know what it's all about, but if you go slow, read the forums and ask follow up questions you'll eventually get going.

Thanks pt, Ive got one program with a sequencer in it. "Music Maker 2005 Deluxe"It comes up short with tutorals. Its great for putting togather tracks But its getting boreing. thanks, jack