Talk:MIDI/Archive 1

message: I think it makes sense to include links to a few sample .mid files in wikimedia,
perhaps in the MIDI File Formats section.  There are a few midi files at 
Wikimedia Category Music Sound.
I also uploaded two of my own work to 
Wikimedia Category Electronic music.
Fred Hsu 00:22, 17 September 2005 (UTC)
thread_title: sample .mid files?

message: I know there are programs out there that can convert MIDIs to WAVs or MP3s, but I also know that most of them do it by simultaneously playing the MIDI and recording the WAV or MP3...which results in not-so-clear quality on some computers, including mine...what I wanted to ask is this: Is there a program that can convert a MIDI to a WAV or an MP3 without doing this, even internally? Thanx, DC
:You might want to check out Timidity.  I believe this will do what you are asking for, and runs on a number of platforms.  Rabit 17:09, 6 December 2005 (UTC)
replies: text: Doesn't seem to work on my computer. All the output files are blank. I've tried lots of programs, and nothing seems able to convert my MIDI files to an iPod-compatible format. --Nintendorulez talk 20:02, 16 April 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Sounds like you haven't got the soundfonts/patches set up or something. Plugwash 20:06, 16 April 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Good MIDI to WAV or MP3 conversion? 

message: "MIDI connectors use standard 5-pin DIN connectors which at one time were a de facto European standard for audio interconnection. Over time the simpler American RCA phono jack has replaced DIN in this application, leaving MIDI as the only place they are commonly encountered in modern equipment."
Maybe I'm mistaken about how exactly "DIN" is defined, but every electric instrument and professional microphone I've ever seen has a connector that looks exactly like the kind used for MIDI. I have never seen RCA connectors on instruments, microphones, speakers, or any other audio equipment apart from tape decks. What gives?
:Are you sure you are not confusing them with XLR connectors? These are usual on professional equipment. Perhaps the text would be more accurate to say "domestic audio interconnection" -  DIN connectors have disappeared in favour of RCA jacks on all home equipment. Graham 02:46, 10 February 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  DIN connections 

message: The statement in the article
:"Almost all music recordings today utilize MIDI as a key enabling technology for recording music"
is clearly wrong. Most recording is surely done using microphones. A performance on acoustic instruments cannot as such be recorded using MIDI. So I was very surpised to see a revert of my correction into:
:"Almost all music recordings today, unless done with microphones, utilize MIDI as a key enabling technology for recording music"
Please comment. I realise of course that some pianos have a keyboard that has a double function as a MIDI contoller, but these are rare. −Woodstone 11:51, 14 June 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: This has nothing to do with the fact that music recordings utilitize MIDI technology AT SOME POINT during the production process.  By the composer in putting together the music, in orchestrating it, listening to the variations, and perfecting the process - and working in the studio.  To say "unless done with microphones" means "if microphones are used, MIDI is NEVER used".  This is very clearly incorrect since MIDI can easily be used along with microphones and virtually always done - MIDI is hardly ever used in the studio exclusively and not in conjunction with microphones.  You could possibly say something like, "Almost all music recordings today utilize MIDI as a key enabling technology for recording music, with the sole exception of a completely live performance, recorded with microphones only." although I suspect some may have trouble with that as well..  Charlie Richmond 17:17, 14 June 2006 (UTC)

text: "The creation of many music recordings, especially in pop music, uses MIDI technology at some point in the production process. By the composer in putting together the music, in orchestrating it, listening to the variations, and perfecting the process - and working in the studio, where often some MIDI instruments are included."
−Woodstone 17:56, 14 June 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: That sounds better but MIDI can and is also usually included in the actual production process as well - especially now since digital recording and production tools are more and more combined audio multitrack recorders combined with sophisticated MIDI sequencers.  Pro Tools for example is probably the most popular digital recording system and fully integrates MIDI along with the tracks being produced.  MIDI is not just an ancillary, isolate process and is becoming more and more integrated right into the recording, editing and mixing process - especially when automated mixing and control during mixing is involved since the MIDI tracks record and play back the control changes for the remotely controlled effects devices.  With respect, it doesn't sound like you are fully aware of the more advanced recording studio and production techniques being used these days - especially in commercial studios.  Charlie Richmond 21:22, 14 June 2006 (UTC)

text: Thank you. Just to clarify, I am not a music producer, I am a person who has been deeply involved in the recording and music industry and its technology for over 40 years and well understand how it has evolved. I would propose the following: "The creation of many music recordings, especially in pop music, uses MIDI technology at some point in the production process. By the composer in putting together the music, in orchestrating it, listening to the variations, and perfecting the process - and working in the studio, where often MIDI instruments, sequencers, and integrated digital recording systems are used to record, edit, automate and sequence the production and recording process."  Charlie Richmond 06:07, 15 June 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: MIDI is indeed a key enabling technology.  It's used to store presets in signal processors to computer, it's used for synchronization, it's used to control mixer automation.  Even in cases where recording is done "with a microphone" MIDI is often there during the recording process.  The statement "Almost all music recordings today utilize MIDI as a key enabling technology for recording music" is true and as eloquently worded as it can be.  It is not THE key enabling technology, just A key enabling technology. I am a professional producer. Infindebula 06:20, 21 June 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Recording music