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FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about MIDI Files and Soundsoft
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about our professional MIDI files, downloads, ordering, as well as using and editing MIDI files. We also explain important technical fundamentals relating to MIDI, MIDI formats and compatibility with keyboards, software and other MIDI-capable devices.
Ordering, Payment and Downloads
What does Soundsoft offer?
Soundsoft offers professionally produced MIDI files for musicians, entertainers and other MIDI users. All products offered are digital files and are made available for download after successful payment. No physical media or other goods are shipped.
How do I receive the MIDI files I have purchased?
After successful payment, the purchased MIDI files are made available for download. If you use a customer account, you can also find your purchases under My Account → Orders. In addition, you will receive an email containing the relevant download information.
Does Soundsoft charge shipping costs?
No. Soundsoft exclusively sells digital MIDI downloads. No physical goods are shipped. Therefore, no shipping costs are charged for your order.
Which payment methods are available?
The payment methods currently available are displayed during the checkout process. Payment is processed using the selected payment method and the respective payment service provider.
Do I need a customer account to place an order?
The ordering options available in the shop are displayed during the checkout process. A customer account offers the particular advantage that you can access your orders and the associated downloads centrally in your customer area.
MIDI Files and MIDI Basics
What is a MIDI file?
A MIDI file is not a conventional audio recording such as an MP3 or WAV file. MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. A MIDI file contains musical control information such as notes, pitches, velocities, Program Changes, controller data and timing information.
The actual sounds are generated by the device or software used to play the MIDI file. This is why the same MIDI file can sound different on different keyboards, sound modules or software instruments.
What is the difference between a MIDI file and an MP3 file?
An MP3 file contains compressed audio material and therefore already contains the finished sound. A MIDI file, by contrast, primarily contains musical performance and control data. A MIDI-capable sound generator interprets this data and generates audible music from it.
A major advantage of MIDI is that many musical parameters can subsequently be edited. Depending on the software used, instruments can be replaced, individual tracks edited, the tempo changed or specific MIDI data adjusted.
Do MIDI files contain recordings of real instruments?
No. A Standard MIDI File does not normally contain recorded instrument sounds like an audio file. The resulting sound quality is therefore largely determined by the MIDI sound generator being used.
Why does a MIDI file sound different on different devices?
A MIDI file controls sound generation but does not contain the actual sounds. Different keyboards, sound modules, software synthesizers and virtual instruments use different samples, synthesis methods, effects and sound configurations.
As a result, instrument sounds, volume balances, effects and the overall impression of an arrangement can vary depending on the playback system.
MIDI Formats and Standards
What does Standard MIDI File mean?
The Standard MIDI File, commonly abbreviated as SMF, is a standardized file format for storing and exchanging MIDI data. This allows MIDI files to be read and processed by numerous compatible programs and devices.
What is the difference between MIDI Format 0 and MIDI Format 1?
In a Standard MIDI File Format 0, the MIDI data is stored within a common track structure. In a Standard MIDI File Format 1, the data can instead be stored across multiple separate tracks.
Format 1 is particularly useful for editing in sequencers and DAWs because musical elements can be organized more clearly on separate tracks. Which format is suitable for playback also depends on the device or software being used.
What do GM, GS and XG mean for MIDI files?
GM (General MIDI) defines basic specifications for instrument assignments and other characteristics of MIDI-compatible sound generation. Its purpose is to allow a MIDI arrangement to be played on different GM-compatible devices with fundamentally comparable instrument assignments.
GS and XG extend the capabilities of traditional General MIDI configurations. Depending on the sound generator, additional sounds, controllers, effects or device-specific functions may be available.
What are MIDI channels?
MIDI generally provides 16 MIDI channels per MIDI port. These channels can be used to address different musical parts or instruments. In General MIDI configurations, channel 10 is commonly used for drums and percussion.
Compatibility and Playback
Which devices can I use MIDI files with?
MIDI files can generally be used with many MIDI-capable keyboards, workstations, arranger keyboards, sound modules, sequencers and computer programs.
Whether a particular MIDI file can be played completely and with the desired sound assignments on a specific device depends on the supported MIDI standards, file format and capabilities of that device.
Can I play Soundsoft MIDI files on my keyboard?
If your keyboard supports Standard MIDI Files and the relevant file format, playback is generally possible. For specific compatibility, you should also refer to your keyboard's documentation and the product information for the respective MIDI file.
Can I play MIDI files on a computer?
Yes. MIDI files can be played using suitable MIDI software, sequencers or a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). A MIDI-compatible sound generator is required to produce the sound, for example a software instrument, virtual synthesizer or external MIDI device.
Why can't I hear any sound when playing a MIDI file?
A MIDI file does not contain a finished audio recording. A suitable MIDI sound generator must therefore be available and correctly configured for playback. If a MIDI file appears to be playing but no sound can be heard, check the MIDI output, sound generator, channel assignments, volume and the audio configuration of the software being used.
Editing MIDI Files
Can I edit a MIDI file I have purchased?
MIDI data can generally be edited using suitable MIDI or sequencer software. The available editing options depend on the software being used and the structure of the respective file.
Typical options include editing individual MIDI tracks, notes, controller data, instrument assignments and other musical parameters. The applicable usage rights and copyrights must be observed when using and editing the files.
Can I change the tempo of a MIDI file?
Generally, yes. Because the musical events in a MIDI file are stored in relation to time, the playback tempo can be changed using suitable software or appropriately equipped MIDI devices without having to time-stretch an audio recording.
Can I change the instruments in a MIDI file?
Instrument assignments can generally be changed using MIDI Program Change data or the functions provided by the software or hardware being used. The actual result depends on the sound generator and the instruments and sound banks available on it.
Can I mute individual tracks?
With suitable sequencers, DAWs and many MIDI-capable devices, individual parts or tracks can be muted. This is useful, for example, when a musician wants to play a particular part themselves.
Lyrics, Melody and Product Information
How can I tell which features a MIDI file has?
The available information can be found on the respective product detail page. Depending on the product, this may include information about the MIDI standard, MIDI format, manufacturer and available features such as melody, text or a lyrics track.
What does “Melody” mean for a MIDI file?
This designation indicates that the respective MIDI file contains corresponding melody data. The track and sound used for the melody may depend on the particular arrangement and MIDI standard.
What does “Lyrics Track” mean?
A lyrics track contains text information within the MIDI file that can be read by suitable software or compatible devices and, where supported, displayed in sync with the music.
Whether and how this information is displayed depends on the software or hardware being used.
Downloads and Technical Problems
Where can I find MIDI files I have already purchased?
If you ordered using a customer account, you can access your orders under My Account → Orders. The corresponding download options are available there for each respective order.
What can I do if a download does not work?
First check whether the payment was completed successfully and whether the order is displayed correctly in your customer account. If you experience problems, opening the order again and checking the download email may also be helpful.
If the download is still not possible, you can contact Soundsoft using the contact form. Please provide the relevant order or purchased title wherever possible so that the problem can be investigated specifically.
Why can't Windows handle a MIDI file like an MP3 file?
MIDI and MP3 are technically different file types. MP3 contains audio data, whereas MIDI contains musical control data. Opening, playing and editing a MIDI file therefore requires an application capable of processing MIDI data and playing it through a suitable sound generator.
Rights and Usage
Can I pass a purchased MIDI file on to someone else?
Purchasing a digital MIDI file does not automatically mean that the file may be freely copied, published or passed on to other people. Its use is subject to the applicable contractual and legal provisions as well as the rights to the underlying works and content.
Can I use a MIDI file publicly?
The technical ability to play a MIDI file must be distinguished from the copyright and licensing requirements governing public use. Depending on the type of use, additional rights or permissions may be required.
Further Questions about Soundsoft MIDI Files?
If your question has not been answered here or you need assistance with a MIDI file you have purchased, you can contact Soundsoft using our contact form.
Soundsoft – Professional Midifiles
Professionally produced MIDI files for musicians, entertainers and demanding
MIDI users. Digital delivery with no shipping costs.