How to Make MIDI Files Sound Like a Music Box

MIDI files are one of the fundamentals of electronic music. They carry no audio data, just instructions for the computer or synthesizer to play a certain note at a certain time. As a result, MIDI files can be used to drive any number of devices, from synthesizers, samplers, emulators and more. This flexibility allows anyone to take any piece of MIDI music and make it sound as if it was played on practically any instrument.

MIDI to Music Box

• 1

  Load the MIDI file into your sequencer. They should appear as grid-like maps with the notes mapped out on them. Chances are your MIDI file contains parts for a number of different instruments. When you open the file in your sequencer, they should split, so you have drums on one channel, piano on another, bass on another, etc. If they do not split automatically, the next step details how to do this manually.

• 2

  Count the number of separate parts you wish to create and copy and paste your MIDI file onto duplicate tracks, creating the appropriate number of copies. Then open each track in the piano roll view and delete the parts you don't need. Repeat this with each track. Eventually, you should have the same collection of notes with which you started, but just divided between several channels. It can help to zoom out the piano roll view, allowing you to see all the notes in the song on one screen. You'll likely be able to see a number of horizontal "bands" where the grouping of notes is much tighter than the rest of the range. Transplant each "band" to its own channel.

• 3

  Check the output window in the channel strip to see if your sequencer has automatically assigned instruments to each channel using the General MIDI channel mappings. If not, click the output window and assign an instrument to each MIDI part. Play them back individually using the solo button on each track. By listening to each part, it should be fairly easy to tell which was the drums, the bass, etc.

• 4

  To create a music box effect, set the melody parts to be played with a glockenspiel sound. You will find one in the default General MIDI sounds generated by the GM chip on your sound card, though your sequencer may include a better quality reproduction. Experiment with changing the patches and altering the synth controls to find a tone you like.

• 5

  Select all the MIDI tracks in your sequencer's arrange window, and check the quantizing window. Normally, using excessive timing quantization would make a piece sound stilted and robotic, as it would lock each to be played exactly on the beat. Start with a master quantization level of around 1/16, and decrease it to 1/8 if you can do so without losing too much of the original feel.