Posted by JohnV on March 1, 2003, at 3:53:07
In reply to JohnV - about midi files..., posted by IsoM on March 1, 2003, at 0:37:59
> John, you mentioned you'd point any one in the right direction about good sound quality midis.
>
> Two questions - what sort of songs are available as midis? There's lots of music I like but not necessarily in midi format, though some of the game music I like is.
>
> And is there any inexpensive way to create my own music in midi format? And can I use any song? Or even my own composition?
>
> I love to have music playing while I use the computer but I can't concentrate if there's singing - it has to be wordless.
Well, creating music via midi and playing other pre-made midis are two quite seperate animals. Being able to play pre-made midis with decent sound quality on your computer is the inexpensive way to go. If you can play piano/keyboards, that may be a start in being able to create your own midis. (Brag mode "on":-)...I've programed using midi and digital synths for the past 15 years, and have worked for everyone from Geddy Lee of Rush, programing modules for "Saved By Technology"(Music tech company) for synths used on the Mike Bullard show, and some other artists from Canadian rock band Moist and even K.D. Lang arranger Ben Mink. /off (Sorry..didn't mean to gush or, uh, brag..heheh.)OK..now what you really want to know. :-) There are places you can get pre-made midis for many songs and artists on the internet. One is http://www.midifarm.com I believe. All types of music, from classical to pop, rock, country, gaming music, heck anything.
For starters, your computer likely comes with a soundcard. This makes a fairly big difference in midi-rendering (midi is actually a computer language, and it is read by your soundcard's built-in synth.) Mostly all of your generic soundcards come with some type of "wavetable synth".
What I would recommend for starters, though, is a software synth you can download from the internet, along with the many, many freeware midi-playing programs available.
What I need to know is what type/speed is your computer? (i.e. Pentium 3+, or 4, or a Mac G4, etc.); do you know how big your hard drive is?; and what platform are you running? (i.e. Windows 98/ME/XP, etc.
Then I can suggest some easy downloads (freeware) and instructions for playing a decent sounding midi. Are there any songs/artists that you would like to hear? I can record a small MP3 version using my midi/digital system to give you an idea how good it can sound.
If you really want to go all-out in creating your own midi songs, mention so and I will do my best to suggest what you can do and need.
Let's go from there! Thanks. John.
poster:JohnV
thread:204909
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030223/msgs/204957.html