Midi question

[tekmo]

Hey, I downloaded this program called "Direct MIDI to MP3 converter" and when I play the midi files, they sound much more realistic than they would in winamp. Why is this?

[Ynot]

MIDI files are not sound files they are a list of instructions play this note play that note play these 2 notes at the same time there is no sound in a midi file The "more realistic" sounding program has better sounding instruments so the instruction file, when played using the "more realistic" program, sounds better *edit* Thought this felt familiar, you asked this once before http://www.dreamviews.com/community/...highlight=midi

[tekmo]

MIDI files are not sound files they are a list of instructions play this note play that note play these 2 notes at the same time there is no sound in a midi file The "more realistic" sounding program has better sounding instruments so the instruction file, when played using the "more realistic" program, sounds better Thanks Ynot, that helped alot... could this be done in winamp using a plugin?

[Ynot]

yeah, probably midi's as old as the hills, most music programs support it in some way or other what you need is a nice place to get instrument sound sets from then map the instrument sounds to the midi keys, and record the output

[tekmo]

yeah, probably midi's as old as the hills, most music programs support it in some way or other what you need is a nice place to get instrument sound sets from then map the instrument sounds to the midi keys, and record the output well, I have a Yamaha keyboard, with general midi, would that be of some assistance?

[Ynot]

all that means, is you can connect the keyboard to your machine, play the midi file, and the keyboard would play the file using it's in-built sound sets if that's what you want to do and you have the means to record the sounds off of the keyboard, then great

[tekmo]

that would help, but, I'd like to have a Midi device (like Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth) I can download for my computer, that will make the midi "sound better", do you know anything like that I could use?

[really]

well, I have a Yamaha keyboard, with general midi, would that be of some assistance? Hey tekmo! MIDI is hard to grasp when you're new to it. Basically the sound of the MIDI data depends on what program or synthesizer you are using for it, more known as "Controlling" the MIDI data. For example: Your soundcard's synthesizer may play MIDI of a different quality to another's, because of their settings or even simply by the soundcard's age, but this is only speaking of the "General MIDI" instruments, which are default necessities. If you connect your keyboard to the computer, and route it to MIDI OUT, the computer MIDI songs will "play" your keyboard. So depending on what voice your keyboard is set to, the MIDI will sound like. This is called "MIDI control". You may not be able to get all tracks playing through your keyboard because it may have limitations. It may sound terrible if you get the MIDI drum track, and play it on your keyboard as "Grand Piano", wouldn't it? Because drum voices are not focused on pitch; every note is a different percussion instrument. The MIDI IN means that you can record yourself playing on the computer, or perhaps "play" a program, known as a Virtual Instrument. If you get a good MIDI program, you may be able to use Virtual Instruments instead of the General/Wavetable program which is built into your sound card. They can also control MIDI data without your Yamaha keyboard, as software on its own. Virtual Instruments can be found all over the net, and can emulate any sound you wish.

[tekmo]

Hey tekmo! MIDI is hard to grasp when you're new to it. Basically the sound of the MIDI data depends on what program or synthesizer you are using for it, more known as "Controlling" the MIDI data. For example: Your soundcard's synthesizer may play MIDI of a different quality to another's, because of their settings or even simply by the soundcard's age, but this is only speaking of the "General MIDI" instruments, which are default necessities. If you connect your keyboard to the computer, and route it to MIDI OUT, the computer MIDI songs will "play" your keyboard. So depending on what voice your keyboard is set to, the MIDI will sound like. This is called "MIDI control". You may not be able to get all tracks playing through your keyboard because it may have limitations. It may sound terrible if you get the MIDI drum track, and play it on your keyboard as "Grand Piano", wouldn't it? Because drum voices are not focused on pitch; every note is a different percussion instrument. The MIDI IN means that you can record yourself playing on the computer, or perhaps "play" a program, known as a Virtual Instrument. If you get a good MIDI program, you may be able to use Virtual Instruments instead of the General/Wavetable program which is built into your sound card. They can also control MIDI data without your Yamaha keyboard, as software on its own. Virtual Instruments can be found all over the net, and can emulate any sound you wish. Very useful information, Thanks, but, that was only a suggestion. All I'm wanting to do, is find out an easy way to make midi sound more enhanced all the time, in any program... that's all

[Ynot]

Very useful information, Thanks, but, that was only a suggestion. All I'm wanting to do, is find out an easy way to make midi sound more enhanced all the time, in any program... that's all get better virtual instruments (VST's)

[really]

Very useful information, Thanks, but, that was only a suggestion. All I'm wanting to do, is find out an easy way to make midi sound more enhanced all the time, in any program... that's all If you mean on anybodies computer, or in any application, you have no choice of how good it will sound. This is because it depends on the program in the first place. The sound of MIDI can not be "enhanced" when that will always differ depending on what program or instrument it operates through. Think of MIDI as a paint palette. The paint palette (MIDI note data/information) will always be the same but its output quality, as a picture (audio/sound), depends on the quality or brain of the painter (program). Having said that, Ynot's right as you simply need a quality program to read the MIDI: Virtual Instruments. General MIDI is just there as a default on everyone's computer so everybody can hear it, even if they don't have any VST's. The let down is therefore the actual sound output.