|
|
|
|
If you've come to this page, more than likely you know something about MIDI (MIDI is an acronym for the Musical Instrument Digital Interface standard). If not, there's lots of web site pages that provide tutorial information, so I won't repeat it here. In brief, MIDI requires special hardware and software. Both the musical instrument and computer equipment must have both. In general, these devices pass data messages back and forth, specifying notes to turn on (or off), the pitch of the note, the duration of the note, and the instrument sound to be used for each particular note. There's also messages for sustain pedals, pitch wheels, reverb effects and much more. If you want to learn more about MIDI, you can type "MIDI" into any search engine and get several million pages to visit, or you can try one of these two links:
MIDI Manufacturers Association: All About MIDI.
About MIDI: Introduction to MIDI.
Both of these pages have additional links for discussion on technology and various aspects of producing and using MIDI music files. The MIDI Manufacturers Association site gets technical in a hurry because it's intended for manufacturers, while the Northwestern site is a little more general, but also includes technical discussion -- after all, this is a technical subject. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
The only MIDI files provided below are GM (General MIDI) files, which will play on a computer or sound module that is GM compatible. As a result, these files are pretty simple and are subject to limitations, like a standard set of 163 instrument patches, the use of just one MIDI unit, and the production of 16 simultaneous instrument sounds. The MIDI files I use at home employs a computer interface that enables access to thousands of different instrument patches, the simultaneous use of 8 MIDI sound modules (resulting in 128 simultaneous instruments). The rack of equipment in the photo at right contains half my sound modules, an eight-channel mixer, and 2 effects processors. Additional equipment (not shown) includes 5 more sound modules, amplifiers, speakers, recording equipment, boxes of cables and more. |
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
While GM files can produce a decent "band" sound, they won't produce a real good "orchestra" sound. Further, the sound is totally dependent upon the quality of equipment at your end, not mine. Most GM compatible sound modules will perform well, but computer generated sounds can vary greatly. Some rely upon hardware and some use software synthesizers. You can download a good synthesizer free from either Apple (QuickTime) or Microsoft (Media Player).
To play the GM MIDI files below, click on any song title and a jukebox will appear. You can interrupt a song at any time by selecting a new one, by "pausing" the player that appears, or by closing the jukebox window. I have over a thousand MIDI files in my collection. My most recent production (converted to an .mp4 file) is It's the Gift, a special tribute to my three sons.
Some of the old 50's and 60's songs are listed below. |
|
|
|
|
|
