The term signifies : Musical Instrument Digital Interface, This standard created in 1983 allows digital musical instruments using this interface to communicate with each other. What is important to understand is that a MIDI file does not contain any sound, only computer messages. A MIDI file is not an audio file, it transmits only the neccesary instructions to a sound source in order to reproduce the instruments of a musical piece.
ADVANTAGES :
- Very small file size in comparison to their audio counterparts.
- It is possible to modify the parameters of a MIDI file (transposition, changing the sound of an instrument, tempo, etc.) using software dedicated to this purpose, such as a sequencer.
INCONVENIENCES :
- The MIDI file being a computer data format cannot be burned on an audio CD that can be directly played on a stereo system. If a MIDI file is burned on a disk as is, the CD can only be read by a computer. The MIDI file must therefore be saved on hard disk using audio software in order to change their format, converting them to WAV or WMA, for example. The result of this process renders the files compatible for an audio CD and readable on a stereo system.
- The MIDI file is simply a set of instructions. The sounds used are stored in the sound card of your computer or in external sources, such as MIDI keyboards or sound modules. If the sounds are different than those used by the programmer of the MIDI file, the result will not be identical.
All our MIDI files conform to the General MIDI (GM1) specification. All program changes and controls are found in the first measure of the MIDI file. If your synthesizer or sound card does not support General MIDI, simply delete the first measure and insert your own program changes and controls. Also, every MIDI file has a proper ending. We never use fade-outs, simply because we believe that it doesn't make sense for live applications. The majority of our MIDI files have embedded on-screen synchronised lyrics (see ME, MK, ML series).
Our backing tracks are also available using the MP3 audio format. Using soundfont technology, our MIDI files are rendered through high-quality GM sound banks and then saved under this popular playback format. The MP3 format in particular can provide significant flexibility from playback mediums to musical applications. Additional audio formats (analog or digital) are available upon request.
By definition, a CD+G is an extension of the compact disc standard that can present low-resolution graphics alongside the audio data on the disc when played on a compatible device. This format allows on-screen lyrics to be displayed and then synchronized with a backing track. When a CD+G file is played by a compatible CD/DVD reader or by a computer equipped with specialized software which supports the MP3+G format, lyrics are displayed on screen and will change color when it is time to sing.
In short, we use the term karaoke for this type of sound file these days and the vast majority (see ME, MK, ML series) of our MIDI files have on-screen synchronized lyrics.
All items with catalogue numbers beginning with the letter "C" (see CA, CE, CF, CK, CL series) are ALSO available in CD+G and MP3+G audio formats as well as the standard MIDI format.
NOTE: Our catalog will updated in it's entirety (over time) to support these audio formats and all new entries have these options available by default.
