MIDI Sources

mocando · Post by **mocando** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 4:59 pm

I've downloaded several MIDI files from the web and I've found I must reset MIDI track assignments all the time. They always start playing with a piano patch in every track.
Even so, the patches assigned are not a match for the original song (at least close), so I must manually reassign every track.

Is there a free source where I can download MIDI files which are better constructed so they start playing right from the beginning?

Please explain to me, if there are, the legality of this files, or I should buy them and where.

Many thanks.

kimu · Post by **kimu** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:06 am

usually the problem is not in the midi file but in the instruments you use in the sequencer.

i mean, usually all MIDI files are created associating to each track instrument according to GM/GM2 voice list (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_MIDI)

if your tone generator uses a different voice list everything results messed-up.

so to open ans listen correctly to midi file you have to tell your M50 to use sounds from the G program bank that is compliant to GM/GM2 specification.

to do so in seq mode open the 0-1-1(2) page Menu Command and execute GM initialize

mocando · Post by **mocando** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 3:20 pm

Thanks kimu.

I understand everything you're saying, but even though I Initialize every sequence, they "most of the time" don't assign the right instrument to the track.

I have MIDI files that have the song name, and each track's instrument name, so I have an idea of what instrument is trying to play, and I can change it to something better. The only track I know for sure is track 10 which are drums, but for the other I rely on the info in the midi file.

What I'm trying to say is that some midi files are well constructed and commented (that is a programmer terminology, you "comment" a line of code, so the next programmer who opens the source code can "hint" what you are trying to do).

Am I making sense?

kimu · Post by **kimu** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:46 pm

i think you're right saying that some midi files are better than other, but strange that even after GM Initialize they do not play well.

Have you have a try with other seq? e.g. with Media Player and internal SW MICROSOFT GS WAVETABLE, if hi this case file play correctly you should be able to play them correctly also in M50 using bank G.

in a well-done midi file, the info you talk about should also be present "inside" the MIDI track as Bank / Program change command so to have tracks starting with the right instrument (according to GM voice list).

mocando · Post by **mocando** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 5:48 am

Hm, I guess not all midi files are created equal. The source I got the midis from states they are for computer play.

Anyway, I'll try this weekend from other sources.

Cheers