MIDI File Format - The Universal Language of Digital Music
What is a MID file?
A file having .MID or.MIDI file extension is the Musical Instrument Digital (MID) Interface file. It is the difference from ordinary audio files such as WAVs or MP3s in that it doesn’t carry the actual audio content; hence, is quite smaller in size. The content includes the notes played, their timing, duration, and desired loudness for each note.
The MID file fundamentally consists of information explaining how should the sound be heard when linked with the playback device or loaded into a specific software that interprets audio data. This makes it an ideal tool for sharing musical data between compatible apps and over a low-bandwidth connection. The smaller size enables easy storage for which even floppy disks can be used.
Brief History of MID File Format
The first instrument, the Roland Jupiter-6 and the Prophet 600, were introduced with MIDI in 1982. The first MIDI drum machine, the Roland TR-909 was out in 1983. Afterward, the first MIDI sequencer, the Roland MSQ-700 was released. NEC PC-88 and PC-98, released in 1982, were the first computers, to support MIDI.
Key Characteristics of M4P Files
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| File Extension | .mid or .midi |
| Format Type | Protocol & Data File (not audio) |
| File Size | Extremely small (Kilobytes) |
| Content | Musical event commands (note on/off, tempo, instrument changes) |
| Primary Use Case | Music composition, electronic instruments, video game soundtracks, karaoke |
| Playback Dependency | Requires a synthesizer or sound font to generate audio |
| Editing | Fully and non-destructively editable |
MID File Format Specifications
- Small in size – often as small as 10 KB for a one-minute playback
- Can adjust note, tempo, and pitch for desired performance
- It consists of three parts – the physical connector, message format, and storage format
- Can be converted into MP3, WAV, WMA, FLAC, OGG, AAC, MPC on Windows via Total Audio Converter.
FAQ
Q1: Why do my MID files sound different on different computers?
A: The sound depends on the device’s built-in synthesizer and sound bank, which vary between manufacturers.
Q2: Can a MID file contain vocals or recorded sounds?
A: Standard MIDI files cannot, but extended formats like General MIDI 2 (GM2) can trigger short audio samples.
Q3: How can I convert a MID file to MP3?
A: You can “record” the output of your MIDI software into an audio track in a DAW, or use a conversion tool that includes a software synthesizer.
Q4: What software can I use to play MID files?
A: Almost any media player (VLC, Windows Media Player), web browser, or Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) can play them.
Q5: Are MID files still used by professional musicians today?
A: Absolutely; MIDI is the fundamental backbone of nearly all modern music production for programming drums, synths, and orchestral arrangements.
References
- MIDI – Wikipedia
- Swift, Andrew. (May 1997), “A Brief Introduction to MIDI”, SURPRISE, Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine, archived from the original on 30 August 2012, retrieved 22 August 2012