Converting MIDI to MP3

Hi,

I've searched the forums and couldn't find a similar thread.

Is there an easy, or free way to convert MIDI files to MP3?

Chaski,

I don't know if there's any way to convert MIDI files into MP3. What I would do is make an audio file (I don't know if Finale can do this, but do it if you can) and use Audacity (can be found in Google search), which you can download free. PM me if you need any more help, though I can't guarantee I can solve every problem.

Yeah, I've got Audacity. I'll have a look...

You can't convert freely between the two as midi is digital data, and mp3 analogue, so you have to record an mp3 while the midi is playing. Youll be able to do this in any program that deals with midi and audio ;)

http://www.youngcomposers.com/forum/media-converter-very-helpful-10261.html

I've mentioned this site before....it'll convert pretty much anything.

Media Convert - free and on line - convert and split sound, ringtones, images, docs - MP3 WMV 3GP AMR FLV SWF AMV MOV WMA AVI MPG MP4 DivX MPEG4 iPOD PSP OGG WMA AAC MP4 MPC MMF QCP KAR MIDI REALAUDIO FLAC JPG PSD DOC PDF RTF TXT ODG ODP ODS ODT SXW

Ahh, yes!

Thanks Robin!

That's awesome, quick and easy :D

You can't convert freely between the two as midi is digital data, and mp3 analogue, so you have to record an mp3 while the midi is playing. Youll be able to do this in any program that deals with midi and audio

For example, Sony Sound Forge - it is great for such things.:thumbsup:

If you had software like Propellerheads Reason, you can import midi file, assign each channel to a sampler, add effects (delay, reverb, etc.) and mix channels, then export as audio. Then use audio converter to convert to mp3.

I have got reason, but only the demo (;)). It's too expensive to buy at the moment.

You can't convert freely between the two as midi is digital data, and mp3 analogue, so you have to record an mp3 while the midi is playing. Youll be able to do this in any program that deals with midi and audio ;)

Mark?

hem...

mp3 is NOT analogue. Nothing in your computer, no kind of file, is analogue! It's just audio, while midi has NO audio information (this it's tiny in size).

Good point, I didn't express myself in the best way possible there, I know what I meant, I just kind of screwed up the delivery of it. Please ignore my post and any potential confusion it could cause :wacko:

Well, it's the same idea as digital vs. analogue, but at the same time not. While everything in your computer is digital, a MIDI is like a scroll for a player piano, and an MP3 is a cassette tape recording of the player piano playing. Make sense?

I guess you could describe it as similar to bitmaps versus vector graphics. A bitmap picture is similar to an mp3, containing a direct, digitalised representation of an object, whereas a vector graphic could be compared to a midi file, as it contains a -description- of something.

Well really if I were you I'd just grab Synthfont(which is free) and just use soundfonts and vsts on the song. Provided you can find some good vsts and some good soundfonts, that'll work much better than straight converting it to MP3. The reason this is is because if you can convert straight from midi to mp3, although it will be in MP3 format, it'll still be midi quality.

...if I were you I'd just grab Synthfont(which is free) and just use soundfonts and vsts on the song. Provided you can find some good vsts and some good soundfonts, that'll work much better than straight converting it to MP3. The reason this is is because if you can convert straight from midi to mp3, although it will be in MP3 format, it'll still be midi quality.

Really though, do you think someone who doesn't know how to convert MIDI to MP3, will know how to use soundfonts and VST plugins.... I don't even know what the hell those are, let alone how to use them.

Shh...I know I'm a noob, don't have to rub it in! :P I have to start somewhere...

Shh...I know I'm a noob, don't have to rub it in! :P I have to start somewhere...

Don't feel too bad, there was a time when I didn't know how to make MP3s either. But don't worry, I'm going to teach you how to make them. First grab a program called "Synthfont", which you can get here. "Okay I'm at the site, now how do I download it?" well, to download it go to downloads and then make sure to download the latest version of Synthfont(Which as of now is the "V1.081" version). "Okay I downloaded Synthfont, what now? What can I do with this program?" well, Synthfont basically lets you use soundfont and VSTs, which you will have to download.

Soundfonts are in "SF2" format. A good place I know for GOOD free SF2 files is sf2midi(You have to register first in order to download, which is free, but trust me, this is one of the best free SF2 sites out there). Once you've downloaded a Soundfont, you can apply it in Synthfont by going to the "4 Tracks" tab and then right clicking over the instrument you want to apply that soundfont to. Then a menu will come up and you'll see a bunch of options, click the "Assign Soundfont File" option. Then you'll be asked to find the SF2 file that you want to assign to that midi instrument and once you find the SF2 double click it or simply click "Open". And after that you will have successfully added your first SF2 file.

Now I don't know much about VST instruments, but I can tell you a little about VST effects. VST effects are, well, effects that you can apply to the song. There are several VST effects out there that allow you to add reverb, equalize the song, add flanger, add delay, all that stuff. From my experience, I can say that VST effects can make the midi sound more realistic, especially if you use reverb. To add VST effects basically go to "Add effects..." and click on the VST Effects Tab.

But yeah, that's how you add soundfonts and VSTs. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

You can't convert freely between the two as midi is digital data, and mp3 analogue, so you have to record an mp3 while the midi is playing. Youll be able to do this in any program that deals with midi and audio ;)

Finale lets you save files as mp3, but it can sound pretty thin. You can run the midi through your keyboard using whatever software you've got, adjust the sound to what you want, record it on Audacity or Audio Cleaning Lab and edit and mix to the sound you want.

bottom line, either assign the midi instruments/information to virtual instruments and bounce a mixdown.

i'd say, use 'young prodigy's' explanation, it'll do the trick and is the easiest approach.

You use Sibelius right Ed?

File > Export > Audio

That'll give you a .wav file.

I then use "Wav to MP3 Encoder" (the second one down here: mthreedev.com [mp3 wav encoding, decoding and ripping tools]) to convert this wav file to MP3.

Yeah I do, and I've found a website that allows you to convert between any format (.mid, .wav) into another format (.mp3). It's not the best results, probably because of the quality of the midi file to start with, but it's ok.

I'll check out the Synthfont option in a while...

Yeah I do, and I've found a website that allows you to convert between any format (.mid, .wav) into another format (.mp3). It's not the best results, probably because of the quality of the midi file to start with, but it's ok.

I'll check out the Synthfont option in a while...

The midi file will not determine the quality of the output .mp3 because midi is just note data. What determines the quality is the synth/soundfonts/samples used to playback the midi data.

The midi file will not determine the quality of the output .mp3 because midi is just note data. What determines the quality is the synth/soundfonts/samples used to playback the midi data.

I don't have synthfonts yet, and a pretty basic sound card. So rubbish sounds = rubbish midi = rubbish mp3.

You know what I meant...;)

Google "soundfonts" and "soundfontz" visit KVR: Virtual Instruments, Virtual Effects, VST Plugins, Audio Units (AU), DirectX (DX), Universal Binary Compatibility - Audio Plugin News, Reviews and Community and there are TONS of FREE synth and drums and even samples lying around for people to use them. Register and you're off!

Did you get Synthfont yet? If so all you have to do now is download the soundfonts you want. I already gave you this site but what the heck...

If you want some high quality free SF2 files go to SF2 soundfont files, free download

Also I recommend you get a good reverb VST Effect.