Tech: convert .mid to .wav / mp3

Subject: Tech: convert .mid to .wav / mp3
From: alison
Date: 13 Mar 06 - 12:06 AM

Hi,

looking for a relatively uncomplicated answer please.
I'm trying to convert some midi backing tracks which I have done into .wav or .mp3 so I can play them through an ipod rather than a midi file player

is this possible and does anyone know of a good program to convert the files?

thanks

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Tech: convert .mid to .wav / mp3
From: Nick
Date: 13 Mar 06 - 05:01 AM

There are various midi to wav converters if you google "midi to wav" but I tend to use Audacity because it does that and much more.

Subject: RE: Tech: convert .mid to .wav / mp3
From:
Date: 13 Mar 06 - 02:17 PM

Have you looked at the previous threads on this subject here?

Use the Lyric and Knowledge search box up at the top of the page.

Subject: RE: Tech: convert .mid to .wav / mp3
From:
Date: 13 Mar 06 - 02:26 PM

Here are some possible threads

Tech: MIDI <>mp3?
Wave to MIDI conversion?

Mudcat MIDI Guide

Amazing MIDI?

Subject: RE: Tech: convert .mid to .wav / mp3
From:
Date: 13 Mar 06 - 02:28 PM

Actually, thinking about it, the easiest way is simply to play the MIDI file and Record the sound output of your soundcard to the format you want. That's probably the most straightforward method.

Subject: RE: Tech: convert .mid to .wav / mp3
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Mar 06 - 06:51 PM

The Tech threads are usually obsolete by the time one goes back to see what had been recommended. New stuff available all the time-- new thread makes complete sense.

I believe the short version of the past discussions has been that there is no way to actually convert them-- that you have to do as George suggests. And I believe Nick's suggestion of Audacity does just that. I've used Total Recorder to do it also. I have not enjoyed the result overly much-- it never sounds as good as the midi did or as good as other wavs or mp3s, either. The result has been useful for reference or learning, but not much else.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Tech: convert .mid to .wav / mp3
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 13 Mar 06 - 07:50 PM

Not quite correct Susan.

Converting wav to midi is non-trivial, though an area with a lot of research. There is some success in limited situations, but no complete solution yet.

Converting midi to wav is a different matter. You can normally always do it by recording the midi as it plays, but this has to be done in real time. However there are programs that can realize the midi directly to wav without playing it. Essentially they simulate the midi synthesis and just save the wav output rather than playing it. The advantage of this is that it's much faster than playing the midi in real time. The disadvantage is that you're limited by the type of midi synthesiser available to the program.

There is fuller discussion of these topics in other thread, such as the ones George lists above.

Mick

Subject: RE: Tech: convert .mid to .wav / mp3
From: alison
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 12:49 AM

thanks everyone

one of the main problems is that when you go through a MIDI file player or (as I do) through a keyboard you get "decent" instrument sounds (due to the sound card I suppose) - but that doesn't translate when you go through the Ipod.

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Tech: convert .mid to .wav / mp3
From:
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 08:50 AM

If you're recording the MIDI on your computer, it shouldn't matter when you play the recorded file on your Ipod I should think.

Recording on the computer gives you the sound as it is off the sound card on your computer. Once it has been recorded on the computer it'll stay that way when you put the recording on your Ipod.

Subject: RE: Tech: convert .mid to .wav / mp3
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 01:41 PM

I'm pretty sure Jetaudio will do the conversion easily...

Subject: RE: Tech: convert .mid to .wav / mp3
From: M.Ted
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 05:23 PM

For recording purposes, one usually plays the midi through an external midi synth, like a Roland keyboard, for instance, and then records the analog sound--as George points out, it is the easiest way, and it sounds the best, too-

Subject: RE: Tech: convert .mid to .wav / mp3
From:
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 07:12 PM

BTW, I just found this site, but I haven't tried it yet:MIDI to Sheet Music Converter

Subject: RE: Tech: convert .mid to .wav / mp3
From: alison
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 04:13 AM

thanks guys

slainte

alison