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MIDI files

What are MIDI files, how to make them sound better, and what is MIDI anyway?

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is the common language for electronic instruments (synthesizers, sound modules, samplers, drum machines, etc) and also computers.
This clever invention allows communicaton between MIDI capable devices. You can control one instrument from another, or record what you play to a sequencer.
These recorded sequences are called MIDI files. They only contain the notes, and performance instructions, but not the actual sounds.
The quality of MIDI playback largely depends on the quality of the tone generator (sound module, synthesizer, sound card, etc.) you use when listening to the files.
Most computers have some sort of built-in sound chips or sound cards, cheap speakers and a software synth, such as the Miscrosoft SW Synth. Unfortunately this basic setup will not give you the best results. Many people "hate MIDI" because they have necer tried to listen to the files using decent equipment.
There are so many MIDI files on the web, more than 10,000 on this site alone, so it's worth investing a few dollars to buy a general midi sound module, any used old Roland SoundCanvas module will make a big difference. They are still available on on eBay

Here's an example to check your current MIDI setup against a simple mp3 recording of the same file using an old SoundCanvas module:

MIDI file

MP3 recording

Another example of a more elaborate recording of a MIDI file by Steven Glenn, he used software synthesizers, and paid more attention to fine details:

MIDI fle

MP3 recording

If the above examples show a big difference between the quality of sounds in the MIDI vs. MP3 versions, then it's a good idea to consider upgrading your MIDI equipment.

Creating MIDI files

There are several ways to create MIDI files:
If you have the "chops", you can record your own performance in real time. Robert Finley who is an established classical pianist would be a good example for that.
George Pollen has the special talent and decades of experience as a musician, so he can do it by ear, just listen to a piece and write down the notes.
Most people enter the notes one-by-one from sheet music, and edit the piece to sound more realistic. You'll find some great tips and tutorials here from experts on the subject.

MIDI files for more than 16 parts (instruments)

Many orchestral MIDI files require 2 MIDI ports, 32 channels for proper playback. The average synthesizer, sound module or computer sound card can handle only 1 MIDI port, 16 channels. In order to listen to this piece you need either 2 synthesizers assigned to 2 different ports, or a Roland SoundCanvas

series sound module, capable of playing 32 (or more) channels, like the Roland SC-88, SC-880, SC-8820, SC-8850, SC-D70, SD-20, SD-80, SD-90, etc.

All the above listed modules can play 32 MIDI channels, and have a decent set of General MIDI sounds. Unfortunately Roland, in its ultimate wisdom discontinued the line, so if you would like to buy one of them, it's off to ebay, new ones are no longer available. Pretty sad...

While most classical pieces can be arranged for 16 channels or fewer, romantic and modern composers may use very rich and colorful orchestrations, stretching the limit of standard MIDI. Fortunately we can always add more and better synthesizers to increase the number of instruments in our MIDI orchestra. Remember, MIDI files don't contain any sounds, only the performance, so what you hear is actually your synth. If you think MIDI doesn't sound good enough, maybe all you need is a better soundcard or synth. I've collected all kinds of synthesizers over the years, and they are great for generating unique sounds, but I use my Roland SoundCanvas SC-880 when I listen to classical MIDI files.

MIDI files and polyphony

Polyphony (the number of notes played simultaneously) is also very important. Most orchestral pieces may use 64 or even more notes, so they will only sound good if your MIDI equipment is capable of producing the required polyphony. The above listed sound modules will do fine in that department. You can also use Software Synthesizers to increase polyphony and to improve sound quality.

MIDI Software

Using better software will improve quality, and provide many options. The MIDI plug-in or media player not the best for classical files. There are many MIDI sequencer programs available, with lots of useful options. You can not only listen to the files, but also look at the sheet music, and print it if you'd like, you can edit the files in many ways, change the tempo, switch instruments, repair any bad notes, add some effects, etc. A MIDI sequencer program will allow you to create your own files as well. I use Cakewalk Pro sequencer as my default MIDI player, so whenever I click on a MIDI file, it will open with Cakewalk. This way I can edit and save the file, and look at the notes and all MIDI events while playing.