midi to mp3 for Windows users

[Eric Renshaw]

Although EMGO midi files are generally brilliant for practising to, some folks like to play around with the speed. For slowing down awkward phrases and then playing along to them is (for me at least) a good way to get a good feel for the timing. Unfortunately, although midi files are usually vastly smaller than their mp3 counterparts, standard software such as The Amazing Slow Downer (highly recommended) or Audacity + Lame (Google them if you are interested in trying them out) doesn’t cope with them at all well. Since Sibelius (possibly – since I don’t own a copy I only have web info to go on) doesn’t seem to like exporting mp3 files (?), this means that we are stuck with midi files. However, doodling around with my music software last night I suddenly twigged that there is an extremely easy solution. Just use “Switch Sound File Converter” to import the midi, press ‘convert’, and the mp3 version pops up which can then be imported into The Amazing Slow Downer. Have fun!

[jesalbond]

This technique works for any sound file winamp's input plugins can handle (pretty much anything) Winamp has an output plugin (hit ctrl+k). Default is DirectSound, which goes to your speakers. 1. Change it to 'disk writer' or some similar name (I forget). 2. Under config for that plugin, set the options for your mp3 (bitrate, naming, etc). 3. Go back to winamp main page, turn off looping and shuffle

[Eric Renshaw]

Many thanks for this info.

[Jack Campin]

The QuickTime Player on the Mac plays MIDIs at half speed (or up to three times faster) if you want. Isn't there a Windows version of it?