Was ist MID? Vollständige Anleitung zum MID-Format
Vollständiger Leitfaden zu MIDI-Dateien - technische Details, Vor- und Nachteile, Anwendungsfälle und häufig gestellte Fragen
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What is it?
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a technical standard for digital communication between electronic musical instruments, computers, and audio equipment. Finalized in 1983 by a consortium of electronic instrument manufacturers, MIDI does not record actual audio waveforms. Instead, it stores musical performance data as a sequence of instructions: which note to play, how hard to press it, how long to hold it, and which instrument to use. A MIDI file is essentially the sheet music of a digital performance.
Because MIDI files store instructions rather than audio data, they are extraordinarily compact. A complete symphony containing thousands of notes and dozens of instrument parts might be only a few kilobytes as a MIDI file - compared to hundreds of megabytes as uncompressed audio. The actual sound you hear when playing a MIDI file depends entirely on the synthesizer or soundfont used for playback, which means the same MIDI file can sound like a cheap keyboard or a full orchestral recording depending on the playback hardware or software.
Technical Specifications
Pros & Cons
Advantages
A complete song with dozens of instrument parts can be just a few kilobytes - millions of times smaller than audio files.
MIDI data can be edited note by note - change tempo, pitch, instrument, or timing without any quality loss.
The same MIDI file can be routed to any synthesizer or sample library for a completely different sound.
Every digital audio workstation, notation software, and most media players support MIDI natively.
Disadvantages
MIDI files contain no audio data - they only work when paired with a synthesizer or sound module for playback.
The same MIDI file sounds completely different on different systems - from tinny to realistic depending on the synthesizer.
MIDI only represents discrete pitched notes; it cannot store voice, guitar strums, or any non-instrument audio.
Advanced orchestral techniques like dynamics, articulations, and expressive phrasing are difficult to capture fully in MIDI.
When to Use It
Here are the most common situations where MIDI is the right choice:
Musikkomposition
Write, arrange, and edit music in any digital audio workstation using MIDI as the underlying note data format.
Karaoke-Systeme
MIDI is widely used in karaoke systems where the backing track is synthesized from MIDI data.
Musikausbildung
MIDI files are used in music teaching software to demonstrate songs, check student performance, and provide interactive exercises.
Klingeltöne und Spielmusik
Early mobile ringtones and video game soundtracks used MIDI because of its extremely compact file size.
How to open a MID file
MIDI files (MID) are widely supported across various software categories, including professional DAWs, free/open-source tools, browser-based applications, and built-in system utilities. Professional software like DAWs is ideal for musicians and producers seeking advanced editing capabilities, while free/open-source options cater to hobbyists and those on a budget. Browser-based tools offer convenience for quick edits or viewing, and built-in utilities provide basic functionality for users without additional installations.
When choosing software for MID files, key decision factors include feature fidelity, whether the focus is on editing or simply viewing, cost model, and platform compatibility. Users should consider their export needs, as some applications offer extensive format support while others may require conversion for specific outputs. Additionally, evaluating whether converting MID to another format is necessary for their workflow can influence the choice of software.
Ableton Live 11
Ableton Live is a professional digital audio workstation that excels in music production and live performance. It supports MIDI files for both playback and extensive editing, allowing users to manipulate MIDI data with high fidelity.
- Multi-track MIDI editing and arrangement
- Real-time MIDI effects and instruments
- Session view for live performance
- MIDI mapping for hardware controllers
- Extensive plugin support for VST/AU
- High-quality MIDI editing capabilities
- Ideal for live performance setups
- Robust community and resource availability
- Higher cost compared to other options
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
Exportiert nach: WAV, AIFF, MP3, MIDI
Am besten für: Choose Ableton Live for professional MIDI editing and live performance needs.
Besuchen Ableton Live →MuseScore 3.6.2
MuseScore is a free and open-source music notation software that allows users to create, play, and print sheet music. It supports MIDI files for both import and export, making it a versatile tool for composers and arrangers.
- Full score editing with notation tools
- Playback of MIDI files with realistic sounds
- Export to MIDI, MusicXML, PDF formats
- Customizable instrument sounds and effects
- Collaboration features for sharing scores
- Completely free and open-source
- Excellent for notation and composition
- User-friendly interface for beginners
- Limited audio editing capabilities
- Less suited for complex MIDI arrangements
Exportiert nach: MIDI, MusicXML, PDF, WAV
Am besten für: MuseScore is perfect for composers looking for a free, notation-focused MIDI tool.
Besuchen MuseScore →GarageBand 10.4.3
GarageBand is Apple's digital audio workstation designed for music creation and podcasting. It provides a user-friendly interface for working with MIDI files, allowing users to create and edit MIDI tracks easily.
- Built-in virtual instruments for MIDI input
- MIDI editing with piano roll and score editor
- Audio recording and editing capabilities
- Loop library for quick music creation
- Integration with Logic Pro for advanced features
- Free for macOS users with great features
- Intuitive interface for beginners
- Seamless integration with Apple ecosystem
- Limited to Apple devices only
- Less powerful than professional DAWs
Exportiert nach: MIDI, AIFF, MP3, AAC
Am besten für: GarageBand is ideal for macOS users seeking a simple yet effective MIDI editing tool.
Besuchen GarageBand →Flat.io Web-based (2023)
Flat.io is an online music notation software that enables users to compose and share music collaboratively. It supports MIDI file import and export, making it suitable for both educational and professional use.
- Real-time collaboration on scores
- MIDI file import and export capabilities
- Interactive score playback with MIDI sounds
- Customizable notation and layout options
- Integration with Google Classroom for educators
- Accessible from any device with a browser
- Collaboration features enhance teamwork
- User-friendly interface for quick learning
- Requires internet connection to use
- Limited features in free version
Exportiert nach: MIDI, MusicXML, PDF, MP3
Am besten für: Flat.io is perfect for users needing a collaborative, web-based MIDI solution.
Besuchen Flat.io →Convert MIDI Files
Need to convert your MID files? Use our free online converter.
Convert MIDI Files