MIDI sound issue

[lexxmexx]

I have some midi files giving problems when I play them on playback programes like Windows Media Player etc. All the musical tracks are missing like muted and all I get to hear are just drum beats. However, when I tried to open them on Sibelius, I can see that the tracks are available, just no sound except drum sounds.

Does anyone have the solution to this? Thanks!

 

[soft]

Maybe you can send the file to me and I check it out. info@soft.com.sg

 

[blueprintstudios]

ok when it comes to midi files as in the old .mid midi files. I THINK it works sort of like this

Song.mid : has
[Drums]
[Piano]
[Strings]
[Bass]

when you play it on windows media player

[Drums] >>> the default sound module >> your speakers.
[Piano] >> "
etc etc....
so for example if the drums sound horrible with this default sound module. this is yet not the real sound that it's capable of.

when you play it on a specialized MIDI player like WinGroove http://www.wg7.com/en/
if i'm NOT WRONG
[Drums] >>> Wingroove sound module >> your speakers.
etc etc
and it should sound better.

and the only possible reason i can IMAGINE why Sibelius / Windows Media Player have muted tracks is that the software/sound module can't recognise the midi tracking signal embedded in the file.
so I suggest you try download WinGroove and see if it solves any mystery.

10¢ worth

 

[lexxmexx]

Maybe you can send the file to me and I check it out. info@soft.com.sg

Just emailed you, thanks

 

[soft]

Got your file. All tracks played fine on my computer. I am running Win98 with SoundBlaster Live.

We need someone who is good with Vista and stuff here.

 

[Cheez]

lexxmexx, what soundcard are you using?

 

[gutturalpiss]

Oh, this one is common.

Neither the system audio hardware nor software has the MIDI sound banks. Normally for those audio cards that do not have on-board MIDI/synthesizer, meaning 99% of Intel HDA, Azalia, Realtek and the likes, operating systems make use of their own softsynths to provide software MIDI (playback).

So get a MIDI soundfont, preferably a large one with lots of bling. For platform-specific info, Google came up with: http://forums.pugetsystems.com/showthread.php?p=32096

Well, that wasn't so bad was it? :lol: I don't really know why Windows doesn't have an easy way to change this, but maybe someone else would. Of course, you can just grab a MIDI player (or a player with MIDI support) and things will be fine.

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

Try this:

1. Open control panel and double click on "Sounds and Audio Devices"
2. Go to the "Audio" tab and focus on the box at the bottom "MIDI Music Playback"
3. Click on the drop down menu to select "Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth"
4. Click "OK"
5. Play back the file again on WMP

If it still sounds the same, or it was originally already ms gs wavetable sw synth, repeat step 3 but select a different device each time and check to see if it solves the problem. One of them should be able to play the file normally.

 

[lexxmexx]

To blueprintstudios:
WinGroove cannot run on Vista


To Soft:
Thanks for verifying that the file is ok. The problem is likely to be my computer (OS, driver etc)


To Cheez:
It's an old Creative Digital Music external sound module. I suspect it could be due to the driver as I was forced to install a new one so that it can work on Vista. But then, this driver is also meant for other older soundcards like Audigy etc, if this is the case, I am sure many people will complain.


To gutturalpiss:
Followed the instructions on Pugetsystems and ran Dosbox, it seems like I only have "Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth" in my pc. Are there any large soundfonts available for free download?


To MadWereWolfBoy:
This will not work on Vista as it does not come with a Midi Mapper


Thanks again, everyone

The verdict, Vista sucks big time!!!

 

[blueprintstudios]

lexmexx : ah damn sorry this's as much as I can help then. i'm a noob to midi stuff.

 

[gutturalpiss]

Can you play a random MIDI file? The thing is, if the MIDI file was created with a program that used instrument banks not part of the operating system's softsynth, then you won't be able to hear those tracks.

But if it's standard, you can. For example, if you used Guitar Pro, normally the default MIDI device would be the system's softsynth if you don't have a card that can do hardware synth. That way, editing and playback both tag along well. Try a normal MIDI file which you can download from the web.

Well, I'm not particularly very sure on Vista's audio sub-system either. It's new, it's different. You could post here: http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=351&SiteID=1

Other valid google results: http://www.ps3news.com/forums/gener...cking-use-soundfonts-any-soundcard-52261.html

 

[lexxmexx]

Yes, some of my other midi files can play normally. The funny thing is that these 'problematic' midi files used to be able to play fine on the same computer with exactly the same hardware. The problem only came about after I had upgraded my OS to Vista and had to upgrade my soundcard driver at the same time as the previous one cannot be used anymore.