Editing and converting MIDI to MP3 - urgent

[ajay944]

Hello. I'm relatively new to this and need some help urgently. Is there any software available that will allow me to modify a midi file (tempo/key/mute or lower the volume of a track etc) and then record it as an MP3 file? I've only just started doing live gigs and it's quite unprofessional to have to edit just before playing. having my giglist on a cd / ipod is a whole lot more convenient and professional.

[Tubbs]

Hi there ajay...you need some software like the Edirol 3.23 sound canvas which i have used in the past,( i think the latest one is the edirol mp1) your edited midi can then be saved to wav format, and from there converted to mp3...here is a link to a free mp3 converter you may find useful...as i say this works for me, im sure other members do it differently so its each to their own.

Free mp3 converter link:- www.pianosoft-europe.com/download.htm

I can vouch for this as i use it myself.

I started converting using this software and found it easy to master so ask all the questions you like as there are lots of people here to help...let us know how you get on.

[JazzCat]

Aug 6, 2008 14:57:59 GMT ajay944 said:

Hello. I'm relatively new to this and need some help urgently. Is there any software available that will allow me to modify a midi file (tempo/key/mute or lower the volume of a track etc) and then record it as an MP3 file? I've only just started doing live gigs and it's quite unprofessional to have to edit just before playing. having my giglist on a cd / ipod is a whole lot more convenient and professional.

Tubbs forgot to mention that you need MIDI sequencing software to do your edits on your MIDI files.
There are many different sequencing programs out there. There are also programs called DAW ( Digital Audio Workstations)
that will take care of both your MIDI sequencing and audio recording needs.
These types of programs run the gambit of abilities and the gambit of pricing, ranging from free to multiple hundreds of dollars.

Once your files are edited I don't see why you want use them on stage. Your concern was having to edit them ON stage, right?
Once you edit and save your edits you would not have to re-edit them again on stage.

I am the resident file editor here at MIDI Mart. I can help you do your edits until you get a grasp on doing them yourself.

(but not this week. I am in Las Vegas and don't have access to my sequencing program)

I can also help you learn how to do do your own edits, as well as other people here can help you learn.
There's a great bunch of people on this forum!
Cat >^..^<

[JohnG]

Hi ajay,

And welcome aboard if I haven't already said so.

As JazzCat has already said she is our resident file editor, and can help you with almost everything in terms of editing files. However if you need the more technical things like SysEx messages (for Roland GS modules or Yamaha XG modules) e.g. setting FX processors etc. entered or altered then I'm your man. Or if it's simple things like altering individual channel volumes, overall file volume level, then probably I can do a quick fix for you while JazzCat gets on with things that take a lot more time. But I'll let her tell you whether she's too busy or not.

As far as programs go my recommendations for cost free or cheap software go are for Anvil Studio (free and you'll find a link on the main MidiMart page) or for Record Producer MIDI or de Luxe version. The MIDI one lets you edit MIDI files (obviously!) the de Luxe version does MIDI and also has good audio recording and editing facilities in it. JazzCat is a fan and user of the de Luxe version. (Warning don't get the basic version).

There are of course others like Cubase and Sonar and many more from reasonable in price to "arm and a leg". These tend to be more DAW software i.e. MIDI + audio + VST + etc.

Once you've got your MIDI file as you want it then you need to record it back to a wav file and a low cost program is "MIDI2wav". Or the freebie that Tubbs recommends (must try it) I don't use either myself as I push the MIDI out to the sound module and record it directly back to hard disk. And of course with the right software and sound module you could do that yourself.

Once you have a wav file you can edit that in a free piece of software called Audacity. All I do is get the levels right before conversion.

Then I use a program called LAME front ended (because it's DOS) with a ripper program called EAC (Exact Audio Converter), both freebies. Why these two? Well EAC is the most accurate program for ripping from CD to wav that I've come across, and LAME the same for wav to mp3. LAME has a good few parameters that let you specify exactly how you want the wav to mp3 conversion done. Whether size is the most important factor or sound quality, and it lets you adjust for all sorts of variants in between.

That's a starter for you and probably enough to take in on the first go. Hope it helps?

Best regards,
JohnG.

[steveb]

I also agree with tubbs,

I too use and would recommend the Roland VSC,
I have used it for a number of years and it does a great job and it is so easy to use, especially converting from mid to wav, all you do is click a button and within seconds it's converted. The sound reproduction brilliant. A good all round program.

[ajay944]

Thanks a stack for the info...you guys are brilliant!! I use anvil a lot and a lot of the times, once I've set the individual tracks to my choice, I find that the mixer sliders jump back to their original position when I'm ready to save. Also I cannot edit/modify .kar files.

[JohnG]

Yea, I agree Anvil is pretty basic and has several faults with it not the least is the channel volume problem.

For a reasonable basic sequencer my personal recommendation would be to ditch the freebies and go for something a bit better like the software from Voyetra/Turtle Beach. There are two versions worth considering, the "Record Producer MIDI" or the "deLuxe" version. The 2nd one has multi-track audio added to the MIDI facilities. You can upgrade from the 1st to the 2nd at a later date for the difference in price. JazzCat uses this software as her main sequencer AFAIK and I have a copy which I use from time-to-time. It's not at all bad, it isn't expensive (19.95 dollars for the MIDI version), and can be downloaded and tried first. Here's the URL for the MIDI version: www.turtlebeach.com/products/record-producer-midi/home.aspx
When you open a file the track volume is right there as a number you can edit with a spin wheel. Much better IMHO.

Anyway, it's an option.
Best regards,
JohnG.

[souwalker]

Aug 12, 2008 6:45:23 GMT JohnG said:

When you open a file the track volume is right there as a number you can edit with a spin wheel. Much better IMHO.

JohnG.

Hi John

I've not installed it yet but from your response above, I can actually reduce/increase the volume of individual track/s ie. only drums or bass, for instance, via the numbered spin wheel and save those changes onto (save as) the existing midi file as a midi file?

PowerTracks that I have, have similar feature but unfortunately any increase/decrease to individual midi track can only be saved as a PowerTrack file and looses the edits if I save to midi file.

Rgds
Pat

[JohnG]

Hi Pat,
Yes, when you open the file in the standard window (track view) you have the volume control for each track right there in front of you. You may need to slide the vertical bar that separates the two parts of the window to the right to see it though. The columns of controllers are shown in short form. Clicking on the column heading opens it up. You can then move a slider. Clicking on the column heading closes it up and the volume is shown as a number. Then, as you say, save or save as. Moving the mouse pointer over each column heading tells you what it is.

Regards,
JohnG.

[souwalker]

Cool

[weegeo]

Hey ajay you have asked the right people here lol lol either the awesome cat or the equally awesome john will sort your files for you these are the tech`s in here and there fee is very cheap lol lol

Regards weegeo

[ajay944]

Hi JohnG,I've downloaded EAC & Lame.....forgive me for sounding ignorant but where and how do I startvusing this?

[JohnG]

Hi Ajay,

Sorry I haven't come back to you on this, I've been off on a week's hols (much needed). Will try to put some basics together for you asap, to get you started. It's not obviously straightforward, how to use it, but the results are worth while. Back very soon.

[ajay944]

Thanks JohnG....looking foward to it.