Converting abc to notation AND midi

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: Jack Campin
Date: 07 Dec 16 - 07:16 AM

Anyone know of other online ABC converters that work quickly?

Like I said, I keep a list on my homepage (and if I've left one out I'd like to know).

There have been two different conventions for representing the octave in ABC. The original standard and BarFly did it one way (note pitches were absolute,not clef-dependent); some other programs assume you mean a transposition if you just specify a bass clef. abcm2ps seems to adapt to either way - it's a long time since it's given me a problem in that department. abc2midi seems to have a development process that involves replacing one bug with another and it's anybody's guess what any new version of it will do.

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 07 Dec 16 - 03:34 AM

I can't remember the details, but I recall getting different responses from mandolinTab & concertina.net when entering a four part tune. Using identical layout, one 'shifted' the tenor line by a whole octave.

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Dec 16 - 11:45 PM

I gather that the ABC converter at mandolintab.net is the one currently used most commonly. It's good, but not quite as elegant and simple as the one that used to be at concertina.net.

Anyone know of other online ABC converters that work quickly?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: GUEST,Dave Hunt
Date: 11 Nov 16 - 11:10 PM

Sorted...many thanks 4 all your help.    What a great site this is!

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: GUEST,Dave Hunt
Date: 11 Nov 16 - 04:09 PM

Thanks for all the help,,,,getting there!

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: Jack Campin
Date: 10 Nov 16 - 04:13 PM

VLC is a useful program to have anyway.

MIDI works much the same on MacOS and Windows. You're more likely to encounter problems on Linux.

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: DaveRo
Date: 10 Nov 16 - 02:45 PM

If you get 'codec not supported' then the program that's trying to play the midi file - which may be Windows Media Player or something else - lacks a codec, which converts the file to audible sound. You need to either install a codec for that program, or play it with another program which has one. It could be that the .mid files are being sent to the wrong player, which is a 'file association' problem.

Google your operating system (eg windows 7) the player that gave the message (eg windows media player) and 'midi codec' and see if you can find the a codec to install.

If that fails you could install VLC which can also play midi files:
https://wiki.videolan.org/Midi/

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: leeneia
Date: 10 Nov 16 - 02:14 PM

I should have mentioned that if you have a more up-to-date computer than mine, that you can probably follow the same general path -

save it
open media player
find it again
play it

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: leeneia
Date: 10 Nov 16 - 12:58 PM

Dave, I hope your computer is an IBM-type and not an Apple product. Here's how the system works on my own computer (Windows 7).

Let's say you have converted the abc file at the mandolin tab converter and are seeing the notes.   

Click on MIDI below the notes.
Save the file with a sensible, one-word name at My Documents
Open Windows Media Player. (You may have to use Start to find it.)
In the Media Player box, choose Other Media
I hope this opens an alphabetical list.
Choose the title and play.

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: Jack Campin
Date: 10 Nov 16 - 12:28 PM

The word is "codec" if you ever want to google it.

If your browser can play MIDI at all, clicking on the staff notation image you get from mandolintab.net should play it. If that doesn't work, it's probably because your browser doesn't know what to do with a file named with a ".mid" extension. Tinkering with your browser's preferences should fix it. It isn't an ABC-specific problem.

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Nov 16 - 12:20 PM

I'd guess at a file association problem and/or using a player that doesn't play midi on your computer. I think all these programs output a file with the extension .mid

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: Brakn
Date: 10 Nov 16 - 11:35 AM

I can input the abc, get the dots...fine...but none of them will play the midi..

Are you saying that make the abc file, export it as a midi file and the for some reason import it back again, it won't play?

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: GUEST,Dave Hunt
Date: 10 Nov 16 - 08:44 AM

Thanks for the advice folks.. I still have a problem..I have tried some of the suggested sites Easyabc, abc explorer and Mandolin tab   I can input the abc, get the dots...fine...but none of them will play the midi...I just get a thing saying 'codex not supported' which does not mean anything to me! Any suggestions please?

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: Mr Red
Date: 10 Nov 16 - 03:21 AM

What'll they think of next? Trump as president?


I'll get my coat................

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: leeneia
Date: 09 Nov 16 - 08:18 PM

Roman Catholic planes and copters? What'll they think of next?

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Nov 16 - 10:39 AM

Leenia the DX8 is a transmitter (designed to fly RC planes and 'copters) The software (firmware) inside it is AirWare.

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: leeneia
Date: 09 Nov 16 - 10:24 AM

I use the converter at mandolintab all the time. I also use Noteworthy Composer to edit music, and I have a MIDI controller (looks like a small piano) connected to my computer.

I am very leery of downloading software which might interfere with my present setup. Too often I find that a video (or something) has silenced my Noteworthy Composer. So far, it's been easy to restore, but if I accidentally downloaded software that seriously wanted to hog my speakers, I might not be able to undo it.

(How much would I trust software which operates 8 tracks of music and also flies model airplanes? Not much.)

But I can assure you that for a long time that the converter at mandolintab has not caused any problems.

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: Jack Campin
Date: 09 Nov 16 - 05:33 AM

For creating PDFs of sets of tunes, I find the converter on mandolintab.net works better than what I have on my own machine (their abcm2ps is a later version).

It's a good idea to try different processing software if you're intending to make your ABC public - otherwise you won't know what other users will make of it.

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: leeneia
Date: 08 Nov 16 - 09:43 PM

Hi, Ripov. Windows 98, eh. Ah, you bring back the memories.

If I were Spektrum, I would say in the first sentence of my ad that my DX8 software flies model airplanes.

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: ripov
Date: 08 Nov 16 - 12:47 PM

Hi Leenia, didn't know that; no DX8 is directX 8, part of windows but not aleways there when you need it! I think it goes back to win98.

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: Howard Jones
Date: 08 Nov 16 - 11:28 AM

Hi Dave, if all you want to do is copy and paste ABC from another site then the online converter sites are as good as anything. However the installed programs also allow you to save and arrange your own files, print sets of tunes, and write ABC yourself with the results immediately visible as staff notation. They're really not that difficult to learn, why not give them a try?

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: Jack Campin
Date: 08 Nov 16 - 09:02 AM

The converter sites are all simpler to use than any installed application. Look at the list on my site and try them.

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: GUEST,Dave Hunt
Date: 08 Nov 16 - 08:28 AM

Jack Campin wrote above ' There are several versions of abc2midi in use: the converter sites may have one that suits you better. Or if you don't mind command-line interfaces you could just install abc2midi on its own, or even tweak its settings or source code to get the best fit to your needs.'   Now That's why I specified SIMPLE as I don't understand ANY of that! Sorry Jack...

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: Jack Campin
Date: 08 Nov 16 - 05:50 AM

ABC Explorer is a front-end to a bunch of other software, and uses a version of abc2midi to do its MIDI conversion. There are several versions of abc2midi in use: the converter sites may have one that suits you better. Or if you don't mind command-line interfaces you could just install abc2midi on its own, or even tweak its settings or source code to get the best fit to your needs.

You can guarantee that a package-other-people's-stuff solution like ABCExplorer will never have the most current version of any of the software it incorporates. That may or may not matter to you.

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: Brakn
Date: 08 Nov 16 - 04:58 AM

ABC Explorer will export file to MIDI, PDF, PNG, BMP and JPEG. Couldn't be simpler.

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: BobL
Date: 08 Nov 16 - 04:13 AM

That DX8 is for radio-controlled model aircraft. The software is DirectX, a video driver. Not to be confused with the Yamaha DX8, a hypothetical vintage synthesiser that never made it to market.

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: Mr Red
Date: 08 Nov 16 - 03:48 AM

Now I wonder why software would need ergonomics
Well. I always reckon to be able to operate s/w without a manual, if it is ergonomic. If not, not.

By the time you have clicked on the mouse/remote 20 times on everything but the "OK" button* and still not found how to get the on-screen keyboard for letters, despite there being phone-type letters etched or a screenfull of text that doesn't quite say the one thing you need. And you are jumping up and down. I think we can say that not only is ergonomic the apt word generically, but also etymologically.

* pressing "OK" might be acceptance of an incomplete (externally generated/given) password, that is going to be difficult to change later. Just when you are setting-up this gizmo for a technophobe!

BTW click this thread asking the same thing notably (pun intended) the last post is from Pavane of this parish who wrote a program for this. click here

And - Dave (Hi) - have you spoken to Floss? - He held a workshop on this very subject many years ago.

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: leeneia
Date: 07 Nov 16 - 11:28 PM

Hi, Ripov. I wondered what DX8 was, so I googled it, and found this:

"The DX8 is the most advanced 8-channel system you will find anywhere. Its next-generation Spektrum™ AirWare™ software, built-in telemetry, Spektrum Data Interface and superior ergonomics will completely revolutionize how you fly."

Now I wonder why software would need ergonomics. Also, I think when I want to fly I will just go with a commercial airline and a trained pilot.

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Nov 16 - 09:02 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: Jack Campin
Date: 07 Nov 16 - 06:10 PM

There are several on-line converters - they don't all work quite the same way. I keep a list of them on my homepage: http://www.campin.me.uk .

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 07 Nov 16 - 06:04 PM

Go to www.mandolintab.net/abcconverter

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: ripov
Date: 07 Nov 16 - 06:01 PM

abc explorer will play .abc, and save as midi or pdf. The download from stalikez seems ok, I have downloaded it from there and installed it with no problem, it does offer to instal DX8, which you might need. The download at SoftwareInformer appears ok as well, but too much rubbish is pushed in your face while you decide which "download" button to press.

Subject: RE: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: GUEST,lester
Date: 07 Nov 16 - 05:39 PM

Just get EasyABC (Free) on your Pc/Mac/Linux Box

Subject: Converting abc to notation AND midi
From: GUEST,Dave Hunt
Date: 07 Nov 16 - 03:51 PM

I need a simple abc converter...I used to use Tune O Tron but it no longer exists. All I want is a simple, easy to use site that I can just paste the abc and get it converted to the dots and importantly to midi as I learn tunes by ear!
Cheers DAVE HUNT