importing a midi file?

  • Thread starter Thread starter rhythmgtr5
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There might be an easier way but I'll tell you how I've done it.
Open up a window that contains the midi file and open a instance of cakewalk then drag the midi file icon into the track view.The midi file will automatically assign itself to tracks and instruments.The output will default to your first listed output so if thats not your general midi output you may either reassign the outputs or change the listing in options/midi devices.

GOOD LUCK!
 
Not to beat the topic, since that worked....

You can also open file, underneath is a "type" selection set to Cakewalk type files, you can select midi files from that, then surf to the midi file you want to open.

Take Care.
 
though i was able to sucessfuly import the file, when I play it -- no sound comes out. Any ideas as to why?

its just a midi file of a song; i plan to take the guitar part out so i can use the drums/bass.
 
Do you have a MIDI synth to respond to the MIDI messages?
 
AlChuck said:
Do you have a MIDI synth to respond to the MIDI messages?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what a midi synth or a midi message is; I've never worked with midi's before. It's just a .mid file that when I import into cakewalk, turns into 6 or so tracks and no sound will play when I hit play.
 
You have to assign a midi output to CW. Options>Midi devices and then highlight your device and move it to the top.

Then go to your midi track in CW, click on "Out" and then select your device. Should now sound when you play back.

Thats how it works in HS 2002, so CWPA 9 should be the same/similar.
 
A MIDI file is a set of perforamce information -- what notes were played and when, how hard they were struck, etc., grouped into as many as sixteen sets called MIDI channels to keep separate parts distinct, that is interpreted by a MIDI-compatible sound module (a synhtesizer, a sampler, a drum machine). There is no actual audio data in a MIDI file, so unless you have something to respond to the information that's contained in a MIDI file, you will be unable to hear anything.

It's very similar to those old player pianos if you've ever seen them. The rolls have no sounds recorded on it, just little bumps that trigger actuators in a player piano to hit the appropriate notes at the appropriate times. Without the player piano to play it, there's nothing there to be heard. Or another analogy, it's a little like the conductor in an orchestra, If there's no musicians sitting in front of him to follow his directions, he can wave his arms all he wants and still no music will fill the air.

What soundcard do you have? Most consumer soundcards have a rudimentary MIDI synth and a MIDI interface, which is a port through which the computer can receive MIDI messages sent by a keyboard being played, for instance, and send MIDI messages that it has already recorded out to a device like the same keyboard that will respond to the messages. There are also software synths that run as applications on a computer and act just like an external box.
 
AlChuck wrote: "There are also software synths that run as applications on a computer and act just like an external box."

Can you recommend some good ones for us in different price ranges?
 
AlChuck wrote: "There are also software synths that run as applications on a computer and act just like an external box."

Can you recommend some good ones for us in different price ranges?
 
So far I don't use any of them myself (other than testing out the ones that came with Sonar XL), so I'm a bad person to ask for recommendations. Hopefully someone else will pipe up.
 
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