About Our MIDI Files
We've made every attempt to make our MIDI files as easy to use as possible. Unless noted, there will never be more than 16 tracks or MIDI channels used in the files. If you are using a sequencing application on your computer you will be able to see what the instrument for each track is, the maximum number of notes played at any one time, and information about the sensitivity of the pitch bend(if any has been programmed).
The files are not write-protected so you can edit them to your particular taste and save the work as a new file. Tempos can be changed, you can change the key, you can copy and paste sections to make the song longer, or you can delete sections to make them shorter. Tracks can be duplicated in order to create fatter parts.
We have set up each file for a General MIDI mix, and that is very limiting in the sounds we are able to use. For example, there is no Pedal Steel Guitar in the GM tone map. Therefore, we have to use the Jazz Guitar and very occasionally the Fretless Bass(for some reason it sounds better than the Jazz Guitar in certain situations). Also, the selection of Electric Guitars is lacking in authentic, 'clean' sounds such as those heard from a Stratocaster or ES-335 when being amped without a distortion boost. The Clean Guitar in the GM tone map is not that useful, so we sometimes use the Picked Bass or Clavinet as a substitute sound. And sometimes we use the Jazz Guitar as a substitute for Bass. You can certainly reset our settings to whatever sounds you have available.
In the first measure of every track of our MIDI files is a set-up string of control parameters that communicate with your sound module. You can change our initial settings to make your own unique mix, or you can leave them the way they are. If you don't use General MIDI you can eradicate the set-up string by erasing the first measure of every track.
The controllers we use in our set-up string are listed below with their position in the track and a description of what they do. The position we are showing you is based on a 240 pixels per quarter note sequencer. If your sequencer uses something other than 240 pixels (many applications do) the number denoted in the three right hand columns of the position column will be off by a few units. The order of the controllers in the string, however, should not change.
Position Controller Value 1:2:000 #120 0 1:2:005 #121 0 Controller #121 resets all Continuous and Switch controllers to their initial default state.
Position Controller Value 1:2:010 #0 0 1:2:015 #32 0 1:2:020 PC 1 These three controllers set up the desired sound for each part. Controller #0 is for assigning the bank of sounds(the GM tone bank is 0). Controller #32 is part of the bank selection message and it's value will always be 0, no matter what bank you use. PC is the Program Change message, and it's value will be something between 1 and 128. And if you wish to change sounds you need to know the bank number of the sound you want to use, plus it's program change assignment.
Position Controller Value 1:2:025 #1 0 Controller #1 controls the modulation of the selected sound. We use Controller #1 sometimes within the tracks of our MIDI files. It helps add realism to the part being modulated. However, it is always desirable at the start of every song that the Modulation be off, therefore Controller #1 is set to "0."
Position Controller Value 1:2:030 PB 0 PB is short for 'Pitch Bend'. We use Pitch Bend a lot. It is desirable that it be set to 0 at the start of each tune, otherwise the part may start out in an incorrect key or sound out of tune.
Position Controller Value 1:2:035 #64 0 Controller #64 is the sustain pedal, such as you would find on a piano. We set it to '0' at the start of each MIDI file so the parts won't sustain in the wrong places. We use Controller #64 quite a bit in our files.
Position Controller Value 1:2:040 #7 100 Controller #7 is for the volume setting. The default volume of most sound modules is usually set to '100'. However, we set it to whatever is necessary to make the mix sound correct. You can certainly change our settings if you wish. Controller #7 has a value range of 1-127. We seldom use Controller #7 anywhere in the track after the initial setting.
Position Controller Value 1:2:045 #10 64 Controller #10 is the pan pot. The usual default is 64, which places the sound in the middle of a stereo field. We usually set each track to where we want it at the top of the MIDI file. Sometimes we use Controller #10 after the initial setting in the track.
Position Controller Value 1:2:050 #11 127 Controller #11 is referred to as expression, much like the expression pedal on an organ. We think of this controller as a volume control within a volume control. We set it to 127, or full out, at the top of each track to ensure that all possible harmonics and tones of the sound can be tapped into. We use Controller #11 a lot on organ parts, pedal steel parts, string parts and horns. It can be used for any instrument.
Position Controller Value 1:2:055 #91 40 Controller #91 sets the amount of reverb for the part. The range is 0-127.
Position Controller Value 1:2:060 #93 0 Controller #93 sets the amount of chorus for the part. The range is 0-127. The following string of controllers is grouped together to make one message. The message sets the Pitch Bend sensitivity for the part. Pitch Bend sensitivity is what tells a Pitch Bend wheel how it will affect a note. For example, if the PB sensitivity is set to equal '2' then the Pitch Bend wheel at it's highest or lowest point will affect the note by a whole step. If it is set to equal '12' it will affect the note by an octave at it's highest or lowest point. For the most part, we set the sensitivity to equal '2', but there are times that we set it to equal '12'. A full octave allows a greater flexibility of expression.
Position Controller Value 1:2:065 #101 0 1:2:070 #100 0 The first two controllers of the string identify what is supposed to happen, in other words, a PB sensitivity is to be set.
Position Controller Value 1:2:075 #6 2 Controller #6 actually specifies the amount of the sensitivity. In this example, the sensitivity will be a whole step up and down.
Position Controller Value 1:2:080 #101 127 1:2:085 #100 127 The last two controllers lock the message into place until it sees another complete message.
The default setting for Pitch Bend sensitivity in most modules is 2. The majority of our files also use a sensitivity of 2 for the Pitch Bend activity. However, we've started using a sensitivity of 12 for some of our more recent files because it offers a broader range of expression. In files where we use a sensitivity of 12, we put the above string at the end of the file and have it reset the sensitivity at 2. This helps prevent problems in the next file you play in the event that file uses pitch bend, but has no sensitivity setting.
We'll be happy to assist you in any way we can on the subject of controllers. Leave us a message in the guest book or send an e-mail to us at info@miditunes.com.
