All About MIDI
What is a MIDI file?
A MIDI file doesn't contain any music or sound. It is basically instructions telling the sound card to play in a particular sequence, pitch and duration. Different sound cards may have different "bands" (they may not sound as nice as others). The "band" in a sound card only consists of instrumentalists, but no singers.
Midi File Formats
1. Standard MIDI File (SMF) format
- Formally called than MIDI file
- To collect MIDI messages and store them in a computer file system
- The SMF specification was developed by, and is maintained by, the MIDI Manufacturers Association (MMA).
2. Midi Karaoke File (.KAR) format
- used to add synchronized lyrics to standard MIDI files
- not maintained by any standardization body
3. XMF format
- Long form: extensible Music File
- create a collection of all the resources needed to present a musical piece, an interactive webpage soundtrack, or any other piece of media using pre-produced sound elements
RIFF-RMID File format
- a Standard MIDI File wrapped in a RIFF chunk