Convert Midi Files to CD Play Friendly Files

[daffsongwriter]

Hi, I have recorded 9 tracks of music from my Roland E60 keyboard, onto floppy disk and a compact flash card. Got them onto my pc all ready to burn onto a cd. First the Nero cd burning programme, and Windows Media player would not burn the midi files onto a cd. I then converted the midi files to MP3 which burnt onto a cd ok, but when I played the cd in the pc and cd player, no sound!! So, I tried to convert to WAV, that just didnt play so I didnt even try and burn that onto a cd. Basically the vibes I am getting are that midi files do not like being changed, the only way I could get music from the cd was by burning the cd as a data cd, which is as much use as a chocolate tea pot when it comes to playing on anything other than my pc.Any ideas on software that I could download to do this, I used Switch which converted it to MP3 but obviously I couldnt get any sound so that one probably isnt suitable. I have googled for software but to no avail.Thanks in advance folks.Take care, Daff xx

[ibanez468]

Daff,I don't think you can burn midi information on a cd, and actually hear it afterwards. It's just MIDI information, not audio information. MIDI information just triggers your keyboards to make them play. You have to record the audio coming out of your keyboards to your PC. You can save the MIDI information as data, but not as audio. At least I think that's right. I'm sure others will chime in and give you their thoughts.ibanez468

[arkjack]

Ibanez has it right. MIDI files are just program instructions to a computer. Turn on note, turn off note, etc. You need to run that program through the sound generating device (your keyboard) and patch the audio onto tracks in your BR unit or DAW as audio information. You can't just convert midi files to Wave files. An analagy is that it is two types of energy. Like trying to see a sound or hear a color. The midi file has to be rendered into audio, then process the audio for the CD.ArkJack

[ibanez468]

Quote:You can't just convert midi files to Wave files. At least not without a good host that converts midi, and a virtual instrument of some sort. And as arkjack states, "the midi file has to be rendered into audio, then process the audio for the CD."ibanez468

[vermeer]

MIDI is great but indirect. Here's what you need to do to get that *exact* song you are hearing from your keyboard.So, just record the stereo audio output of your Roland as a WAV and use an affordable audio burner such as Toast to get a "red book" CD.

[daffsongwriter]

Ah right, I thought midi files would not burn on cd - I did burn it as data and the cd then played in my pc, and even my mobile phone lol, but not on a normal cd/hifi type player as like you say its information not audio.Not a problem, I will do what Arkjack suggested and play it into my Boss BR 900 and chip it onto a cd from that, unless my pc accepts the keyboard connected to it which I know it wont. I had thought maybe that would be my next stage only I dont know how to store them all without interfering with what is already on there , eek. More reading up to do ha ha. I read a bit more about midi files so I understand about what type of file they are and what they do now. Shame they cannot be converted to MP3 though isnt it, be a lot simpler.Thank you all of you for your help in this.Daff xxx

[vermeer]

Quote:Shame they cannot be converted to MP3 though isnt it, be a lot simpler.Actually, this is a good thing. The fact that they are seperate from audio has allowed MIDI to survive 20+ years, whereas audio technology keeps changing every few years. The original Prophet synth from 1985 can still comminicate with today's sequencer software. That's quite a feat! Also, MIDI is used for anything from computer animation to controlling stage lights. Yeah, I love MIDI.Vermeer

[daffsongwriter]

yes it is a bummer that audio keeps changing every few years - I have to admit I like midi files and they work fine with my laptop which was playing up with certain files before.Been told by someone that teaches piano that a pupil of his has got software that converts midi to mp3, wav and he is going to find out which website they downloaded it from, meanwhile I have found a link, have to pay for the software, it isnt a free trial but may be worth it if it works.Didnt think you could convert midi files to audio files but I have since been told you can!Hey ho.Daff x

[arkjack]

They use midi controllers for fireworks displays as well...

[daffsongwriter]

Good old Midi has a lot it can be capable of, firework displays eh, pretty cool that.I found a company in USA where I can purchase software that will convert Midi to mp3 or wave which is what I wanted. I tested the 10 second trial for both mp3 and wave and it played back fine so I knew I would be safe to go ahead and purchase it. The company name is RegNow Inc, 9625 West 76th Street, Eden Prairie, MN 55344, USA - its a Midi2Wav Recorder (1653-3).Hopefully this will shut me up now lol. I also am going to re -download Switch which is a converter but not specially for Midi but as it is free it is a useful little programme.Hopefully you will all be able to hear some of this shit soon ha ha. Never know, you may even like it, the dance music mix I did is a bit of a much of a muchness though so probably only bare-able for a short while lol. I did it for my stepsister as she loves dance music, I am more for rock music generally.Thanks again all of you. Daff xx