--Solved-- (don't) How do you convert a music file to midi?

Post by **nightrnr** » Fri May 11, 2012 3:44 pm

I had no idea where to post this question so I'm putting it here.

I want to convert some files to midi using Winamp. I've done it before, so I know it's possible. It had to do with changing a few settings in options/preferences and specifying where you want it to output, but I can't remember what you do. I was following a tutorial of sorts on a forum, but I can't seem to find it anymore (don't you hate it when that happens?, google plays keep away sometimes).

Anyways, I'm pretty set on using Winamp (and not another program), so I'm just requesting info or a link on how to do that.

Please, thank you,... Help!

Website · Post by **Hobie-wan** » Fri May 11, 2012 3:50 pm

You can't just convert a WAV or MP3 to midi. It would be like handing someone a CD and asking them to create sheet music. Midi files are just instruction for how to play the music. The actual instrument samples are handled by the sound card.

Post by **nightrnr** » Fri May 11, 2012 4:02 pm

I know, I understand how midis are different than other music files.
It had to do with running the file through the soundcard somehow and outputting a midi file. There were some setting changes, different than simply sending it to the format converter.

I don't know, maybe I just went crazy and I'm acting out. But I swear I've done this. And if I can't reconcile this memory it will dive me nuts.

--EDIT--
Okay it's possible that my memory was of converting midi files to wav (I know how to use Winamp for that). But I can't understand why i would have had to take the extra steps to do so. I still

Also, there are programs that let you convert a file to midi (specifying a certain instrument from your sound card). But I haven't come across a good free one to use yet.

Post by **Key-Glyph** » Fri May 11, 2012 10:36 pm

I've never heard of that being possible. I suppose technically it could be, but I'd think the results would be extremely inaccurate. There are music notation programs out there (Sibelius, for instance) that can scan sheet music and convert that to .midi, if that helps.

This is just a stab in the dark, but are you looking for .midi files of video game tunes? If so, VGMusic is still up.

Post by **fvgazi** » Fri May 11, 2012 11:40 pm

A midi doesn't really contain any set musical data. It is a series of instructions that can be used by different midi programs to carry out those various instructions many ways. For example. My little USB keyboard outputs MIDI to Fruityloops and that MIDI data can be used to control whatever sounds I like.... Or I may convert it to electrical signals (CV/Gate) to control analog equipment.

You can "convert" midi to wav, but it's really just recording the output of the program you're using.

Post by **Key-Glyph** » Sat May 12, 2012 12:04 am

I love MIDI. I'm actually reading a book about it right now... a book circa 1997.

Post by **fvgazi** » Sat May 12, 2012 12:13 am

Key-Glyph wrote:I love MIDI. I'm actually reading a book about it right now... a book circa 1997.

Which one?!?! I need some good books on that stuff.

Post by **Key-Glyph** » Sat May 12, 2012 12:47 am

fvgazi wrote:
Key-Glyph wrote:I love MIDI. I'm actually reading a book about it right now... a book circa 1997.
Which one?!?! I need some good books on that stuff.

The MIDI Companion: The complete guide to using MIDI synthesizers, samplers, sound cards, sequencers, computers and more! -- by Jeffrey Rona

I think it's great. It gives you an introduction to the technical stuff and helps you get the basics and generals down, but doesn't condescend. After this you can definitely dive into meatier guides. It also has a very weird sense of humor which amuses me greatly. You'll see what I mean if you grab it from a library or something and get to the first captioned picture.

I've learned lots of fascinating factoids, like that only one of the five pins in MIDI plug actually sends data! And two of them have no purpose at all! Crazy.

Post by **fvgazi** » Sat May 12, 2012 1:05 am

The cover to that book rules.

Post by **nightrnr** » Sat May 12, 2012 1:35 am

Key-Glyph wrote:I've never heard of that being possible. I suppose technically it could be, but I'd think the results would be extremely inaccurate. There are music notation programs out there (Sibelius, for instance) that can scan sheet music and convert that to .midi, if that helps.

This is just a stab in the dark, but are you looking for .midi files of video game tunes? If so, VGMusic is still up.

Yeah, I guess I could go that route.
I was actually looking to convert a broader range of music (for USE in a PC game), but vgmusic is a great option too.

I know the results of converting files to midi wouldn't be ideal (and would be one instrument probably), but it still interests me quite a bit.
I just wish I knew what forum or tutorial I was looking at a year ago. If I could only find it (even if I was wrong about everything), I wouldn't have to annoy anyone with how to do a seemingly impossible task.

There DO seem to be programs that do what I'm asking for though. They're just not for FREE.
This for example:
http://www.intelliscore.net/

--Solved-- (don't) How do you convert a music file to midi?

--Solved-- (don't) How do you convert a music file to midi?

Re: How do you convert a music file to midi (Winamp)

Re: How do you convert a music file to midi (Winamp)?

Re: How do you convert a music file to midi (Winamp)?

Re: How do you convert a music file to midi (Winamp)?

Re: How do you convert a music file to midi (Winamp)?

Re: How do you convert a music file to midi (Winamp)?

Re: How do you convert a music file to midi (Winamp)?

Re: How do you convert a music file to midi (Winamp)?

Re: How do you convert a music file to midi (Winamp)?