Definition of a midi file
Midi files are files containing midi data according to the midi protocol. There are many similarities between midi files and notes. The midi files are merely digital and contains far more information than you can encompass in notes. Programmes suitable for working with midi files are often capable of translating a midi file into notes and notes into midi files.
It is important to enhance that it is not possible to hear a midi file just like you cannot hear a set of notes. A midi file needs to be accompanied by a sound source before being audible, just like notes need an instrument.
The strength of a midi file is that the music is flexible compared to the music you listen to on a CD or in MP3 format. With a midi file you have the full control over each note and each instrument. Thus, you can change one bass sound with another bass sound and change the played music by e.g. removing the drums completely or just changing a few tones. This level of flexibility is completely out of the question when listening to music recorded on an audible format like e.g. a CD.
Ordinarily the terms midi file and SMF (Standard Midi File) are used interchangeable. However, they should be kept separated seeing as the term midi file is far more versatile than the term SMF. A SMF contains a complete melody that can be played without the interaction of the user. Furthermore, the data structure is fixed to a global standard unlike the midi file. In that way a style is practically also a midi file but not a SMF.
Your interaction with a midi file
When playing a midi file (SMF) from Midi Spot you are not only playing a melody.You are also conducting the melody’s lyrics and musical notations together with information regarding choir voices.
If you are a singer you will typically mute the melody track on midi channel 1 and sing to the midi file. If you have a choir machine you will let the choir machine conduct the choir voices on the basis of your own voice. If you are a pianist you will instead mute the piano and keyboard tracks and play them yourself.
Midi Spot’s midi file programming
Midi Spot comply with Yamaha’s standard midi file programming. This means that all midi files contain lyrics, musical notations, melody voice, and choir track. Depending on your instrument you will also be able to see your instrument’s note interpretation of the midi file.
The midi files from Midi Spot suitable for Yamaha instruments utilise the specific opportunities of your instrument. Thus, the internal effect processors are fully made use of just like the best sounds of the instrument are carefully chosen.
How to use the 16 tracks of the midi file:
Melody voice
Duet or choir
Bass
Melodic track
Melodic track
Melodic track
Melodic track
Melodic track
Percussion track
Chord and phrase track
Chord and phrase track
Chord and phrase track
Chord and phrase track
Vokalist track
Score track
Can a midi file and a style be combined?
Yes on a Yamaha instrument you can combine a midi file and a style. If you play a midi file and then initiate a style while the midi files is still playing you can completely change the character of the midi file. What happens is that track 9 to 16 in the midi file is replaced by channel 1 to 8 in the style. You can get some quite amazing results his way.
