Arranging MIDI files

Adding a sound track using MIDI songs

A few words about MIDI: MIDI files do not contain the actual sounds like wave files, only the note control information. This data is interpreted to effect playback by the synthesizer chip on the sound card. This has several advantages:

• MIDI files need a lot less memory than wave files, so more MIDI files will fit on a CD-ROM.
• MIDI files can be adapted to any beat (BPM) without affecting the sound; only the playback tempo needs to be changed.

• MIDI files are very easy to transpose to another pitch; a section in a song does not have to be saved in several different keys. The version in C major is sufficient, and it can then be transposed to any key by simply clicking with the right mouse button.

The disadvantage of MIDI files: The sound is not true audio. The audio is only produced when the synthesizer chip on the sound card plays it back. As a result, high-quality sound cards or external synthesizers will sound completely different and better than standard sound cards, depending upon the settings for playback "voices". Therefore, it is definitely worth using a good sound card or external MIDI synthesizer with MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 15!

Arranging MIDI files

Integrating MIDI files in an arrangement:

Search for a directory containing MIDI files using the Media Pool located at the left edge of the screen. Click on a file, and it will be played back immediately. Now drag the desired file into the arrangement to finish the process.

An object will appear which displays the MIDI notes as dots. The high notes are dots in the upper section, and the lower notes are the dots further down in the lower section. You can even see the velocity of the notes. The louder the note is played, the brighter it appears on the screen.

MIDI objects may be arranged, the volume may be modified (middle handle) or fades (in or out) may be added (top right and left handles) in the same way as audio, video, or synthesizer objects. The "element bar" lets you "open" an entire track instantly from a MIDI loop. If a MIDI file seems to be empty, check the MIDI replay device in the "Playback parameters" window ("P" key or menu "File -> Settings -> Playback parameters"). Your sound card driver or your MIDI interface must be set correctly to hear MIDI!

MIDI interface and external sound generator

Of course, MIDI objects can also be played back over a MIDI interface into external synthesizers, sound modules, etc. Start by setting FX to 1.0. The timing between MIDI and audio can be balanced later if you notice a delay between the two. This is important for very slow arrangements, since the sample rate on the sound card is not entirely. The MIDI drivers can be set in the "Playback parameters" window ("P" key or menu "File -> Settings -> Playback parameters").

Convert MIDI files to audio files

Before exporting (as a video, for example) an arrangement, all MIDI objects must be converted into audio objects first, since these contain only pure control information for the sound reproduction before they are exported.

First, connect the MIDI synthesizer (usually the sound card) output to the sound card input. Now the MIDI file can be played back and simultaneously recorded as an audio file using the record function. The result is an audio file that can be processed and exported together with other multimedia files.