making your own midi backing tracks

[rhythm girl]

I have been using midi backing tracks off the internet. I want to know how to make my own. What hardware/software etc is needed?
Lets say I heard Allman Brothers "Midnight Rider" midi file online. Now lets say I didn't like certain parts in the midi file, could I change it and how? Or, lets say I've been searching for a particular midi file online but can't find it anywhere, what would be the easiest way to just make it myself. Is there any books/video tutorials on this subject?
Please help as you can see I'm really confused.....

Thanks in advance....

 

[Nick The Man]

Almost all recording software now-a-days has MIDI built right in. I create all of my own MIDI, it is fun to listen to a song and try to piece it together in MIDI. Really makes you hear everything that makes a song. But I am running Pro Tools which might be the most expensive route if you want to do nothing but MIDI.

They make software specifically for MIDI, but I for some reason I cannot think of any names off the top of my head... and my head hurts way too much to start searching Google. However, I'm assuming some day you might want to record audio to go along with your MIDI tracks right? So maybe invest in some lower level audio software.

Oh I just thought of a good one, Sony ACID. That has MIDI built in and can record audio, I don't know... do some searching.


Also to answer your question fully, you would most certainly be able to alter the MIDI files from the internet once you import them into the program. So you can delete Duanes slide guitar part and record your own.

 

[Oancient1]

I have been using midi backing tracks off the internet. I want to know how to make my own. What hardware/software etc is needed?
Lets say I heard Allman Brothers "Midnight Rider" midi file online. Now lets say I didn't like certain parts in the midi file, could I change it and how? Or, lets say I've been searching for a particular midi file online but can't find it anywhere, what would be the easiest way to just make it myself. Is there any books/video tutorials on this subject?
Please help as you can see I'm really confused.....

Thanks in advance....

I can't comment on the capabilities of PC recording software that Nick mentioned, as I use standalone multitrack recorders. Some of those integrated programs may have the ability to edit and/or create MIDI files. As far as doing it separately, my experience so far is:

1. Editing MIDI with PC software player/sequencer programs -- I use these only to "adjust" existing MIDI files, some of which I find on the internet and some of which I create using the sequencer function of my Yamaha PSR home keyboard. The freeware programs I use are Anvil Studio (Version 2003.12.01, Copyright © 1997-2003 by Willow Software) and PSR MidiPlayer (Version 6.0.1, copyright 2003 Michael P. Bedesem). The Anvil is OK to edit files I find on the internet, the MidiPlayer I use for files created on my Yamaha PSR because Yamaha made MIDIs are a little bit non standard. I use these programs to adjust turn MIDI channels in a file on and off, and to adjust the volume, pan, and instruments in the channels. It is my understanding that using a MIDI controller keyboard connected to the PC , one can create new files and new channels on existing files, but I have not tried this.

2. Creating MIDI files -- The only method I currently use for this is the one supported by my Yamaha PSR keyboard. Other keyboards support this function, and I think some allow you to upload a MIDI file and add channels. My Yamaha will not do the latter. In the case of my Yamaha, I usually use the Auto Accompaniment feature where I just hold down the chords and multi-instrument backing plays in whatever "style" (pattern) I selected. I can "record" this backing as MIDI data and then add up to 5 channels of other instruments later. I am sure that a good keyboard player could do a lot more than I do. In my case, I usually just record the auto backing, add one or two one-handed keyboard parts (piano and strings usually), and then save as MIDI and move the file over to the PC to adjust the volume and pan and turn off the backing instruments I don't want -- the fakey sounding guitars are the first to go.

Another method of creating MIDI files is to use software that allows you to select a style and enter the chords. A popular one is Band in a Box.

Hope this helps

 

[gecko zzed]

I have been using midi backing tracks off the internet. I want to know how to make my own. What hardware/software etc is needed?

Most recording programs will manage audio and midi ok. Some are better at midi than others.

Cubase, Cakewalk, Logic & Reaper all are ok with midi, though in my view, Logic is the best of the audio/midi applications. Straight midi applications include Sibelius, which is a midi-based notation program (from which you can assemble your own sheet music).

With these programs you can import a midi file, then mess around to your heart's content. Most will expand a midi file into its constituent parts. So, if you don't like a particular part, you can mute it, delete it or modify it.

You can change pitch, volume or tempo (any attribute of a note, really), or add midi parts of your own devising.

Creating your own can be done in many ways:

1 Using a midi-capable keyboard as an input device, you play the particular part on the keyboard. The data flies down the midi or usb cable and appears in the application. You can then fix up your mistakes, then do another part. In this way you can assemble an arrangement, part by part.

2 You can use the mouse and a notation palette (such as in Sibelius) to assemble a midi arrangement as if you were doing it with pen and paper, note by note.

3 Some applications provide a 'piano roll' screen, and again, you can build up a part note by note using this.

4 Oancient1 has provided other examples of ways of doing this, as well as some other midi programs.

The main ingredients are:

1 Midi-capable keyboard
2 USB or Midi cable interface
3 Midi-capable software.

Midi files can be played through your computer's native soundcard. However, these cards are often not that sophisticated, and the sounds are pretty ordinary.

Down the track you might like to consider a stand-alone sound module that you drive with your computer, or virtual instruments that your application hosts.