Help with converting MIDI files into usable sound formats - I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!

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PostHelp with converting MIDI files into usable sound formats - I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!
by Herdanos » Thu Mar 26, 2015 8:50 pm

Hello y'all,

So I'm currently using a program called Aria Maestosa to try and make some tracks.
I've got some tracks already made, but they sound totally different within this program, than when I export them and try and convert them into a usable format.

Aria Maestosa allows me to export the finished song to a MIDI file. The only other software I have on my computer that recognises and plays this exported MIDI file is Windows Media Player. When I run the MIDI file in WMP, it sounds the exact same as it does within Aria Maestosa. However, I can't add anything further to, or edit, the track using WMP alone, so I need to convert the MIDI file into a different file format.

I'm using AV MIDI converter and while it's certainly converting the file into another format successfully, the set of sounds it uses is totally different and much more bare - everything sounds like a generic piano tone (except the drum sounds, which sound like drums). It does this no matter what output format I choose for the file. :(

However, AV MIDI Converter offers me the option to select a different 'Soundfont' (apparently this is a file in the format .sf2). I'm wondering if changing this might help me, but I can't for the life of me find any files that are in .sf2 format. I find plenty of files claiming to be 'Soundfonts' but they're in totally different formats that my computer doesn't recognise, and if I try and change the format to sf2 and load it using the converter the program just crashes (unsurprisingly).

Basically, I don't really know what I'm doing. Can anyone help? I just want a file that I can use and that sounds the same (or similar) as the track I've put together in Aria Maestosa.

EDIT: I've finally found some sf2 files that the program recognises - but they result in the converted file only playing one type of sound throughout.

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Errkal
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PostRe: Help with converting MIDI files into usable sound formats - I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!
by Errkal » Fri Mar 27, 2015 7:03 am

Hi ya,

I haven't done loads with audio conversions but I'll do some digging for you.

Can you upload one of the files to here, using Windows Explorer or FileZilla

ftp://errkal.co.uk
user: dan
pass: Purple123

I'll then see if I can find something that does a good job for ya.

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PostRe: Help with converting MIDI files into usable sound formats - I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!
by Alvin Flummux » Fri Mar 27, 2015 11:05 am

I converted a MIDI tune into an MP3 file ages ago after years of trying many programs. The first conversion sounded like arse though, because I guess there are different sound fonts about that have different types of sound within. I eventually did get the MP3 with the sound I wanted. Definitely change the sound font until you get the desired melody. IIRC, the program was either free or a free trial.

Unfortunately, this was yonks ago and I can't recall what program was used, as I was probably back in the UK at the time.

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PostRe: Help with converting MIDI files into usable sound formats - I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!
by Herdanos » Fri Mar 27, 2015 11:52 am

Errkal... ya beauty. I'm away from my computer ATM but I'll get a file winged your way tonight. Cheers :mrgreen:

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PostRe: Help with converting MIDI files into usable sound formats - I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!
by Errkal » Fri Mar 27, 2015 12:16 pm

epic thanks, I'm out tonight so won't be able to sort it tonight, but I will investigate tomorrow for you and let you know when I have something :)

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PostRe: Help with converting MIDI files into usable sound formats - I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!
by Herdanos » Fri Mar 27, 2015 12:39 pm

Quality, cheers!

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PostRe: Help with converting MIDI files into usable sound formats - I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!
by Herdanos » Fri Mar 27, 2015 5:38 pm

Done it. I sent a copy of the track in both MIDI and AM format.

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PostRe: Help with converting MIDI files into usable sound formats - I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!
by Errkal » Fri Mar 27, 2015 5:46 pm

Awesome sauce thanks. I'll have a play tomorrow and see what I can find.

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PostRe: Help with converting MIDI files into usable sound formats - I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!
by Green Gecko » Sat Mar 28, 2015 2:36 am

You are correct it's because of different MIDI instruments / sound sets being used by different programs. You need to find something using the set of sounds you want (by default on windows this is Roland General MIDI or something) that also exports WAV files. Then convert that to MP3 using Audacity with Lame encoder DLL installed or whatever.

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PostRe: Help with converting MIDI files into usable sound formats - I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!
by Errkal » Sun Mar 29, 2015 10:07 am

Right had a play and have got somewhere (I think)

I've added a converted folder to the FTP can you download the MP3 and let me know if it is converted alright, I think it is :D

If it is there is an EXE in the root folder, that is what I used to convert it it has a 30 day free trial so you should be able to get most stuff done but will have to pay after that if there is no crack etc. You may get away with uninstalling and reinstalling and getting a new trial that way.

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PostRe: Help with converting MIDI files into usable sound formats - I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!
by Herdanos » Sun Mar 29, 2015 2:42 pm

That's quality, cheers Errkal!

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PostRe: Help with converting MIDI files into usable sound formats - I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!
by Errkal » Sun Mar 29, 2015 3:05 pm

No worries, glad to help :)

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PostRe: Help with converting MIDI files into usable sound formats - I NOW KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, THANKS ERRKAL
by Herdanos » Sat Apr 04, 2015 1:33 am

Errkal, got to say a massive thanks again - I've used that program you sent me the EXE file for and it's perfect, I've been able to convert a bunch of stuff that would otherwise have been completely unusable. It was dead easy to use too, even for a n00b like me. So cheers! :mrgreen:

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PostRe: Help with converting MIDI files into usable sound formats - I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!
by Errkal » Sat Apr 04, 2015 8:58 am

Woop. Glad it worked :)


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