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Other pages on this site relating to MIDI practice files are Practice
Files, Midi info, Midi
Making, Midi Archive
Our practice files are in the form of MIDI files.
What are MIDI files?
They are a type of sound file. The advantage of these over Audio files or
MP3s, is that they are very quick to download and easy to manipulate. This is
because they only contain information about the notes, not the sounds (which your
computer will generate instead).
How do I download them?
Right-click on the file and choose "Save Target As..."
How do I play them?
Just click on the downloaded file and it should play automatically in Windows
Media Player.
Advanced topics (for your interest only)
Why are there different versions for each song?
To assist you in learning your line there is a version specifically emphasizing
your vocal part.
You only need to download the one for your part.
eg. For the Bass version, the Bass line is
louder and located on the right speaker. The other parts are on the left
speaker. This allows you to learn your line without confusion, but you are still
able to hear the other parts softly to understand the structure of the song.
Once you have learnt your lines you may wish to rehearse with all parts at
the same volume. To do this you only need to move your balance slider to the
left.
In Windows double click the speaker icon in the lower right corner
and you will see it. If this is not visible then click
Start>Settings>ControlPanel>Sounds&Multimedia>
then check "Show volume control"
or
In Windows Media Player 9 View>Enhancements>Graphic-Equaliser>Balance
(keep it simple Mr.Gates!)
or
When using the CD version in a car CD player, the same principle will apply.
How can I manipulate the files?
For more control it is highly recommended you download and install the free
Anvil studio which will enable you to change the tempo, instruments and volumes
of the individual vocal parts. This enables you to emphasise your part when
learning. Later you can test your memory by muting your part.
Another alternative is the free Vanbasco
Karaoke Player although you are limited to changing the tempo.
A more fully featured
(but still free) MIDI editor is Quartz
Audiomaster which will allow you to change the key etc. and print out the score. (after
you have secured copyright permission of course).
How can I improve the sound quality?
MIDI sound quality depends greatly on your equipment. They sound great on my computer (as good as real instruments), but they may
sound really tinny on yours. To get them to sound great on your computer you
would need to have -
- high quality sound fonts - free from Personal Copy Home Page,
PersonalCopy v5r2 is the best
one.
- a sound card capable of loading them eg. Creative
Sound Blaster Live! - about
$75. Your sound card might be ok. Check any programs and help files that
came with your sound card for "Loading Sound Fonts"
- a cable leading to a good HiFi.
How can I record them to an audio CD?
- Set your volume settings in Windows by clicking
Start>Settings>Control Panel>Sounds and Multimedia>Audio
tab>Sound Recording>Volume button....Select MIDI and adjust it's
volume.
- Open your MIDI file in any MIDI player (stopped).
- Open
the free Audacity
recording software.
- Click the record button then quickly click the play button in the MIDI
player.
- When it has finished playing, click the stop button in Audacity.
- Hold down Ctrl and push the A key. (this selects the whole waveform).
- click Effect>Amplify>OK (don't worry about the numbers as these seem
to be automatically calculated to normalise the volume)
- click File>Export as WAV....
- Use your CD burning software to burn your WAV files to audio CD.
Don't forget that you can also order Practice CDs on club night for $1 each.
These will play on a car or HiFi CD player.
Where can I get more MIDI files?
Thousands are available free and legally on the
net.
Choral MIDIs can be found at The
Choral Public Domain Library and The
Silvis Woodshed
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