What is a MIDI file/score? What is a MIDI file used for typically?

[Anne Goodwin]

I apologize that I do not know what I am about to ask about and that is 'what is a MIDI file?' What does it look like? Who uses a MIDI file and under what types of circumstances? In one discussion here on Composer's Forum, a forum member said, "A midi score is a set of instructions for instruments to make sound. It is NOT different than a printed score of dots except that it is a vastly more detailed set of instructions down to every detail of nuance." So, I was wondering if someone could explain to me, a person who is accustomed to reading and performing from musical scores from published sources and buying them in music stores, what exactly is a MIDI score? Do you need special training to be able to read and interpret one? Up until recently, I think I thought a MIDI score was the same thing as a regular score except simplified (i.e. perhaps less attention to dynamics and other 'details'). However, if the quote above is accurate, then I am concluding that it is something else. Also, can anyone post a typical example of a MIDI file/score for me to look at? Thanks to all for any explanations provided!

[Ray Kemp]

Anne

Here is one page from Cubase score. The saved jpeg has removed the edges showing instrument names but anyway, see what you think.

here

solo violin
1st violins
Violas
Cellos
Basses

The first bar is silent as it allows the DAW to setup voicing, so bar 2 will be the start

[Anne Goodwin]

Hi Ray,

Yes, it looks completely clear and easy to read. Are you telling me that in order to 'transcribe' and later 'engrave' scores from composers who compose via midi that I should consider purchasing Cubase? What would this 'score' have looked like if put into Sibelius before being put into Cubase? Would it have been a real mess? And, what other alternatives exist for an 'in-between' process from MIDI to final engraving besides Cubase? Also, this score that you have presented - were compromises made from the original sound in order to have it come out so nicely [visually], meaning that there may have been slight modifications from the original sound to what is now presented?

Thanks.

[Anne Goodwin]

Aside from learning more about working with MIDI files in Sibelilus, I will be working with a software program that I actually already had on my computer but hadn't yet tapped into and this software program is called Anvil Studio. I think it will be useful but exactly what it will precisely do or not do is something I will be exploring. Has anyone else worked with Anvil Studio? At the moment, I think it will perhaps do nicely as a first step towards 'transcribing' a MIDI file. I suspect that what Anvil Studio and Sibelius do not do that Cubase probably does do is quantize (which I gather means that it makes the rythmns 'exact.') In any case, I expect to have fun playing around . . . :)

[Per-Erik Rosqvist]

Maybe I repeat what has already been said:

The difference between sequencers like cubase and notation programs like Sibelius, is that that cubase and others use a method of presenting the score that BOTH is readable by computers and people.
(Lines (note length) where the horisontal axis measures time, and the vertical measures pitch.)

A 1/2 note in a score is easily presented as a line that is half the length of a measure. But how do you present a note that is recorded by the computer as 499/1000? (This happens!)

It is easier to present such a note as a line... It also gives the midi the feel of being "real" , because it is hard to be exact when playing.


Anne Goodwin said:

Thanks for the detailed information Jan. At this point, from my perspective, I'm coming to the conclusion that it is going to be - at the very least - no mean feat to be able to 'transcribe' from MIDI file to a notation program such as Sibelius or Finale without going through some process in-between. Now whether that in-between process actually exists in some way or another is what I don't really know. From what I have learned so far, and as you (and others) have also said, MIDI files are meant for computers to talk to each other and not for making a score that humans can perform from, at least not easily so. So, for example, you mention things about Cubase but it is not clear to me whether one can take a 'score' from Cubase and work from that to make a traditional score - i.e. classical style. One learns every day new things so I am looking forward to learning a lot in the next while! (I hope!) :)