Strange things happen when I convert midi files to

[charlie]

Hey guys,

I was trying out some differennt Midi to MP3 file converters...mainly to see what the differences might be. I want to convert certain midi files fo rehearsing purposes. We can practice with the MP3 files while riding to the gig. OK....now....the strange things I was referring to: When I convert certain midi files to MP3 some of the voices (patches) in the resulting MP3 file are not as they were while as a midi file, i.e. bass guitar part sounding as a piano. Bear in mind, the midi files were saved with all the correct changes prior to conversion. Why would converting to MP3 alter any patches? Also, some guitar tracks are sounding as a piano. I dont know if I can alter the erroneous patches in the MP3 file. Like I said earlier all changes were saved correctly prior to conversion. Are there Sys Ex messages embedded in the midi file that when converted to MP3...are lost? I dont know if all my converted MP3 files will have this problem, I guess I just got lucky (or unlucky, pending on how you look at it) when I converted these particular files. Anyway, if anyone has a suggestion as to the best converter to use, I'm all ears. I did neglect to mention that the converter program I was using was a demo...up to 15 uses before purchase was required. Perhaps the demo had limited capabilities...who knows.

[oldsage]

i used a free converter called switch it worked well with wav files,and would convert a whole batch conversion from a folder to mp3 and it also does other files.but i have also noticed when i want to convert from midi to mp3 some of the tracks are missing or it doesn,t even sound the same.it might be that these prog,s use your bog standard soundcard soundfonts to convert with? but why did it leave out the lead line?!!strange but true

[jford]

Hi, Charlie - What are you using to convert from MIDI to MP3? The sound you get is dependent upon the soundsource used. If the converter uses a different soundsource (perhaps its own) than you listen to the files with, then it's going to sound different. Remember, MIDI produces no sounds. MIDI only tells your soundsource how to play it.

You might want to try something like SynthFont. In addition to using any soundfont, it can also use it to play back your MIDIs, as well as render to wav files (which are easily converted to MP3).

You can find it here: www.synthfont.com

[charlie]

Hey thanks..jford,

Right now I'm really just trying to find a converter that I can understand and use to convert my midis for rehearsal purposes, like listening to them on the way to the gig. I dont really want to play MP3 files for gigging as I need on-the-spot changes for people who want to sit in and sing, i.e. change keys, tempo, etc. We have a lot of wanna be stars in our audiences...and we encourage the ones who can actually sing...to come and do so. I'll check out the SynthFont link you sent. Maybe some of it will sink in, and I'll be able to make decent rehearsal MP3's.

Thanks!

[ironbaden]

I use VSC Sound canvass.... works great..... ;D

[jford]

Yes, the VSC sound canvas works great, too. But you're only going to get their sounds (which are fine for most instruments).

[bique]

Hi Charlie, I don't know any thing mentioned in this form of some of the converters for converting Midi to MP3, I use a Program called "Audio Audition Ver.1.5" it used to be called "Cool Edit Pro" This progran imports Midi Files and then they can be converted to MP3 or Wav. When I play live using Midi file, I use a Note book computer and a Roland Sound Canvas SC8850 whick has multiple banks giving about 1800 sounds and 64 drum kit sounds, when I have given copies of some of my midis to people using some of the midi file players that are available, some tracks don't play because there players don't recognise the banks that were written into the file. It is possible that some of the conversion programs using the mother board sound card or a basic sound card to feed the midi file into the program only have the basic General Midi Sounds (GM) and not (GS). I feel sure this is the problem, I hope can understand what I am trying to say as it is hard to put into writing, maybe some one can elaborate more for you on this problen. Best of luck Charlie

[charlie]

Hey bique,

Thanks for the reply. I do believe you are right about certain banks not being recognized by different midi file players. When I converted the midi file in question and played it on my Dell using Turtle Beach Soundware, guitar parts were sounding like piano. But, when I play it on my laptop running ShowPlay (a Canadian GM software sequencer)and a Yamaha module, the guitar parts sounded correctly. I think it depends on the compatibility of both the host sound module(where the file was created) and the module trying to play the converted midi file, especially program, bank, and patch changes. Thank you for your insight. Oh, and by the way....how do you like the sound of the SC8850? I've heard good things about it.