midi

.midi — Musical Instrument Digital Interface

International MIDI Association · 1983

Developer

International MIDI Association

What is a .midi file?

MIDI, or Musical Instrument Digital Interface, is a technical standard that describes a protocol, digital interface, and connectors for connecting a wide range of electronic musical instruments, computers, and related audio devices for communication, mixing, and recording. It does not transmit actual audio signals but rather performance data, such as note on/off commands, pitch, and velocity. This allows for incredibly flexible music creation and editing, enabling one MIDI controller to play multiple instruments or sound modules.

Programs That Open .midi Files

Platform	Program
Windows	DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) Software (e.g., Ableton Live, FL Studio, Cubase)	Paid
	Sequitur	Free
	Synthesia	Paid
macOS	GarageBand	Free	Official
	Logic Pro	Paid	Official
	Ableton Live	Paid

Common Problems with .midi Files

⚠️ MIDI file won't play.

Ensure you have a MIDI playback application installed and that your system's MIDI synthesizer is configured correctly.

⚠️ MIDI sounds are incorrect or distorted.

Check the MIDI channel assignments and the instrument patches being used in your playback software. Some files may require specific soundfonts.

⚠️ Cannot edit MIDI data.

Open the MIDI file in a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) or a dedicated MIDI editor to make changes to notes, timing, and other performance data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a MIDI file and an audio file?▼

An audio file contains actual sound waves, while a MIDI file contains instructions on how to play music, such as which notes to play, their duration, and velocity.

Can I listen to a MIDI file directly?▼

You need a MIDI-compatible player or software synthesizer to interpret and play the MIDI instructions. Many media players can play MIDI files if they have a built-in or system-level MIDI synthesizer.

How can I change the instruments in a MIDI file?▼

You can change the instruments (patches) by editing the MIDI data in a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) or MIDI sequencer. Each MIDI channel can be assigned a different instrument sound.

Technical Details

MIDI files are not audio recordings but rather digital instructions that tell a synthesizer how to play a piece of music. They typically have a small file size compared to audio files. A common header signature for MIDI files is '4D546864' (hexadecimal) which corresponds to 'MThd'.

Did You Know?

MIDI was one of the first digital communication protocols developed for musical instruments.

The original MIDI specification was released in 1983.

A single MIDI cable can carry 16 independent channels, allowing for complex multi-instrument arrangements.

Security Information

MIDI files are generally safe as they contain performance data, not executable code or audio. However, always download from trusted sources to avoid potentially malicious files disguised as MIDI.