| MIDI is a compact, notes-based file format widely used for keyboard instruments. It stores how to play the music - which MIDI keys are pressed, and their strength and duration. It is not an audio file format like WAV that stores the full sound of the notes actually being played. Currently, Audacity only has limited support for MIDI. |
As an open source DAW, Ardour supports major operating systems, including Linux, Windows, Mac OS, which possess many amazing features that allow you to record, edit, mix audio and MIDI. Thus, you can finish your process through this DAW from the beginning to the end. Let's take a look at five open source audio editors and see if there's one that will fit your bill. QTractor is a multi-track audio and MIDI sequencing and recording studio. It requires a much.
MIDI and Audacity
MIDI playback was introduced from Audacity 2.2.0. MIDI files can be imported as Note Tracks, which support cut-and-paste editing, and exporting in MIDI (.mid) or Allegro (.gro) formats. Conversion from MIDI to audio formats, and from audio formats to MIDI is not yet supported.
Audacity cannot record MIDI input, only import and play MIDI files. Audacity cannot be directly controlled by a MIDI controller, though Bome's MIDI Translator (Windows and Mac) can translate MIDI commands to standard keystrokes which Audacity can then recognize as keyboard shortcuts.
Converting from MIDI to audio formats
MIDI files can be converted to sampled audio formats such as WAV either by recording them as they play, or by rendering them directly to an audio format using a third-party application. Recording or rendering the MIDI file to an audio file is the only way you can edit MIDI in Audacity. It is also the only way you can burn MIDI to an audio CD. WAV is the recommended format to convert to, because it is lossless and won't significantly degrade if you edit it in Audacity. If necessary you can always export it after editing to a lossy, smaller-sized format like MP3.
On Windows or Linux, depending on your soundcard, you can record the MIDI into Audacity in real time simply by playing it on your computer, for example on Windows Media Player. On Mac you need to use a third-party recording application such as Soundflower. For more help, see our Tutorial on recording streaming audio.
As an alternative, TiMidity++ will render the MIDI to an audio file like WAV in faster than real time. For those on Windows, there are some instructions on the Forum to download a Windows TiMidity++ binary, plus the necessary soundfont file. Don't forget to run the interface executable timw32g.exe to run TiMidity++, not timidity.exe which is only the command line tool. On other platforms, look for an appropriate source package to compile (or a port for your platform) on the TiMidity++ home page. Some of the MIDI applications listed at the bottom of this page may also be able to render a MIDI file to WAV.
Converting from audio formats to MIDI
Converting in the other direction is a challenging research problem requiring software that can detect the pitch of the notes being played. At present, only single melodic lines can be converted with any degree of accuracy. We'd be very interested in helping a developer who has made progress with such software in helping it reach a wider audience through Audacity. Meantime, here are a few application applications you could try:
- AmazingMIDI (Windows) free
- Digital Ear (Windows)
- Intelliscore Polyphonic (Windows)
- TS-AudioToMIDI (Windows)
- WavetoMidi (Cross-platform, Open Source)
- WidiSoft (Windows, Mac)
- Other shareware applications (old page, but contains some useful hints)
Free or free trial applications for working with MIDI
There are many excellent applications for recording and/or editing MIDI files. Many will display the MIDI notes on a musical staff. Here are some suggestions:
- abcmidi - abc2midi converts abc notation to midi and midi2abc converts midi to abc notation (Cross-platform, Open Source)
- Anthem (Linux, Open Source, requires KDE)
- Anvil Studio (Windows) (free version is feature-limited)
- Finale Notepad (Windows and Mac)
- Melody Assistant (Windows and Mac) (free version is feature-limited)
- midicomp - converts midi to text file and back again (Cross-platform, Open Source)
- MU.LAB (Windows and Mac) (free version is feature-limited)
- Musescore (Cross-platform, Open Source)
- Reaper (Windows and Mac) is a digital audio workstation with MIDI recording and editing ability. The 60 day free trial has no feature restrictions.
- Red Dot Forever - very simple Windows application that just records to a MIDI file
- Rosegarden (Linux, Open Source)
- Tuxguitar (Cross-platform, Open Source)
- Other free Windows/Linux applications
Audio Vitamins give up the development of their creative random powered MIDI step sequencer plugin Stochas and clear the way for the open-source community.
Developing a plugin well and promoting well are two things. A developer can design a fantastic plugin, but at the same time sell it poorly (marketing, etc.) The example of the young plugin company Audio Vitamins shows that this balancing act between developer and seller is not so easy. Due to the lack of time to devote to marketing its Stochas step sequencer plugin, the developers have recently decided to release the source code of its previously available commercial product. The source code runs now under the GPL license and is open source.
Stochas is a MIDI step sequencer plugin that features a big randomization features palette that makes sequences more lively and exciting. Almost everything can be randomized and not only the whole piece but also only in a certain area of the sequence. For example, you can random specific notes in a sequence, random the note start times, velocity, length, and more. Stochas allows you to create up to four layers /up to eight patterns with different time signatures, playback speed, and number of steps per layer. So a super deep sequencing tool with which you can work creatively for a long time and for free.
The original idea sprang from a JSFX plugin (Reaper plugin) created by Andrew called Stochasticizer which allowed semi-random sequencing of melodic and drum lines. Andrew was contacted by Dave who suggested creating a plugin that would work on any DAW. The two worked together to design the product which was released a few months later.
Due to lack of time to devote to marketing a commercial product, in 2020, it was decided to release the software as open-source in the hope that it would be useful to music producers around the world.
Features
- Cross platform MIDI sequencer surfaced as a VST/AU/etc. plugin
- Allows random selection of designated notes in a sequence (random or semi-random melodic lines)
- Allows random triggering of notes (more dynamic and varied drum patterns)
- Adjust randomness of note start times for more humanized playback
- Adjust randomness of note velocity and length
- Fully MIDI-programmable interface for live performance. Mute/unmute layers, change patterns, time signature, etc. on the fly via MIDI.
- Chain mode allows procedural programming (eg 'if this note plays/doesn't play then always/never play this other note')
- Adjust note start time to move sequence 'off the grid', as well as note length.
- Record incoming midi to grid
- Use Chord mode to quickly add chords to the sequence
- Select from preset scales, or customize notes in grid along with note names. Save/load note names from file
- Add swing or groove. Import groove from MIDI files
- Create up to four layers with differing time signature, playback speed and/or number of steps per layer
- Create up to eight patterns
Audio Vitamins Stochas is now open source and available as a free download for Windows and Mac (VST/AU). The source is available in a GitHub repository.
Open Source Midi Sequencer
More information: Stochas
