midi file to audio CD conversion

[rogerb]

Hi all,
I'm hoping some of you clever people out there can suggest a programme that will convert midi files to allow them to be played on a standard hi-fi system. I'm trying to help an amateur choir put together rehearsal CD's that members can play at home or in the car to sing along to whilst learning their parts. I had a look at the free download section but couldn't see anything there that might do the job. Thanks.

Roger

[JohnG]

Hi Roger,
If you do a google search on "MIDI to wav" you'll find a whole raft of programs that will do the job for you, some freeware others to be paid for. Take a look and a listen to the results of some of those. Once you've recorded the wav to hard disk you can tweak its level a bit with some freeware such as Audacity, then use the usual Nero s/w to make an audio CD.

I do a similar thing to make rehearsal tracks for my partner, a mezzo, but I use a hardware sound module and record that back to hard disk.

Others may be able to advise you on a good MIDI to wav converter.

Do come back if you need any more info.
Best regards,
JohnG.

[freeway]

John's right about the Midi2wav converters........for me personally I have never found a decent one (freeware anyway) but Im sure there must be good ones out there also if your willing to pay for them..........there's always the possibility if you have the right software such as Cakewalk Sonar/Powertrax etc. to convert your midis directly to MP3 or in your case WMA then on to CD all in the Prog...they can then be played in any cd car/home etc.........if it applies in this case then the following link might be of help............Cheerz

www.homemusician.net/articles/how_to_convert_midi_to_wma/mp3_page1.html

[rogerb]

Thanks guys. I was hoping to find some freeware to do the job but so far have only found "samplers" that will not let me convert anything longer than around a minute. Maybe someone out there knows of a freebie, otherwise I will just have to bite the bullet and cough up to enable me to do my "good deed" . Thanks again John and Freeway for your advice.

All the best,

Roger

[JohnG]

No, not WMA, for CD tracks playable in a standard CD player, they must be wav. Otherwise I think you're correct. I recall someone saying midi2wav was reasonable (about 25 dollars) as it uses soundfonts and presumably therefore can be upgraded with better ones? It also converts in the computer at faster than realtime.
JohnG.

[jford]

I think Kenneth Rundt's Synthfont will convert MIDI to WAV using a soundfont. It's donationware (it will nag you), but I believe it's free to use. See www.synthfont.com

You'll need to find an appropriate GM soundfont to use, but there are many free ones out there.

[rogerb]

Thanks everyone - sorted!
Roger