changing midi to mp3

[Bo Borland]

What do you all use to change the MIDI files to MP3

I want to transfer track files to my ipod.

[Jack Stoner]

MIDI is not a music file as such, thus you can't covert a MIDI file to analog directly. It has to be "compiled" with a MIDI synthesizer and that output saved as a wav or MP3.

In BIAB, they have procedures to "render" to stereo wav files and a compressed wav file (MP3).

In BIAB, click on "Audi" and finally "Render MIDI to stereo .wav file, etc". The panel that comes up has several file type alternatives.

[Bo Borland]

Jack , I tried that, and although it played it was playing thru the biab.. or so it seemed..
I tried to add the file to my itunes.. it went in, would play thru itunes but not even transfer to my ipod.

I emailed it to a friend who recorded it to a hand held digital recorder.. then saved as mp3 and returned it to me.. it worked fine..

I just finished a couple more biab trax and tried to "render as" but it locked up the biab program.. I am waiting patiently fir it to figure out what I want..

[Graham]

Bo:
I have had the best luck rendering the BIAB files to .wav and then using a music editing program to open them and then save them as .mp3 files. In my case, I use Adobe Audition but I believe there are free music editing programs available, such as Audacity, that will do pretty much the same thing..

[Jim Priebe]

Bo

Pistonsoft have a small program which does this no problems.
http://www.pistonsoft.com
Direct MIDI to MP3 Converter
You may have to buy it - it's cheap and worth it.
There is one setting that needs to be changed from the default to get the files to convert in good quality - I would have to look at it again to remember just what it is. Will do that and re-post it - need to go to a computer in my workshop where it is loaded.
It may be worth mentioning that if you are a midi file user and have upgraded your operating system (on a PC) to anything later than XP (SP3) eg. Vista or Win 7, there are limitations regarding choosing which samples can be selected for replaying your midis.
For example I have always preferred to use Roland midi samples and I can't do this on these later Os's.
I can't speak er, write with any authority if you use Apple mac.
The MP3's come out at 128 sample I think and are OK but IMHO not as good quality as the midis and of course not editable etc. but handy to play on nearly anything - 'average Joe' in the audience won't notice.
Hope this helps. PM me if you need any further info.

priebs

[Jim Priebe]

Here's that tip for Direct MIDI to MP3 Converter
When you open the software on the lower LH side there is a dropdown adjustment for <Engine>
Set this to <Direct>
This will produce much better quality in the lower frequencies (IMHO).
There's also 4 sliders there you can play with - I normally set the <Level> (output file volume) up a bit eg. 115%.