Subject:Standard MIDI file tempo

Posted by: DKeenum

Date:7/8/2009 9:06:58 AM

This is my first attempt at using standard midi files. When I drag the file into acid it shows the various midi tracks. But it will not sync to the project tempo... at least that's what it looks like to me. I can't get it to play at the project's tempo. Can anyone give me some advice on how to fix this?

Subject:RE: Standard MIDI file tempo

Reply by: pHuNzOnE

Date:7/10/2009 9:13:31 AM

Just a guess.

Standard midi files have embedded tempo information. Usually you use a list editor to adjust this.

If you've already searched through the Acid help file for 'midi' and 'tempo' and can't find any info you could try a work around of opening the files in another program and setting the tempo info to that of your project.

Anvil Studio (google it) is a free midi program that I believe permits this type of editing.

pHuN

Subject:RE: Standard MIDI file tempo

Reply by: pwppch

Date:7/10/2009 12:19:32 PM

Can anyone give me some advice on how to fix this?

There should be nothing to fix.

If you drag MIDI file it is by defniniton going to play at what ever tempo(s) you have on your ACID timeline. I cannot reproduce any case where the MIDI will not playback at the project tempo or follow any tempo markers on the ACID time line.

Can you give me a step by step (leave nothing out) that reproduces this problem?

Peter

Subject:RE: Standard MIDI file tempo

Reply by: Bremen Cole

Date:7/10/2009 1:48:40 PM

I am going to guess as well :)

I wager these are not bought midi loops, but rather midi "song" type files..... Many of them have CC info in them that set up the track, and that often includeds tempo info. If you take one of these tracks (usually the first one) and select the midi clip on it. Then press alt+p to open it up in the piano roll. there is a tab behind the piano roll called "List Editor". Click it and you will see each midi event in that clip. Tempo data is usually at the beginning of the clip.... just delete it and save. Actually the best thing to do would be to delete all "control change" data. Then sent your project tempo and you should be good to go.

As Peter said, there is really nothing to fix if the midi files is a normal midi loop. But, if it does have that CC data in it, then you need to delete it to get your project going right.....

Subject:RE: Standard MIDI file tempo

Reply by: Bremen Cole

Date:7/10/2009 1:56:40 PM

Just to add to what I said above, I have even seen some of these time files that have the first track named "setup", and that track is nothing but program change/control change data.... just delete the whole track....

Subject:RE: Standard MIDI file tempo

Reply by: pwppch

Date:7/10/2009 3:37:49 PM

IBut, if it does have that CC data in it, then you need to delete it to get your project going right.....

MIDI CC data has no affect on the tempo. It however must pay attention just like note data to ACID's tempo map.

Tempo data from a SMF - regardless of its complexity or purpose - is only imported when a MIDI file is loaded as a project.

If you simply import the MIDI file by dragging, then it will only bring in the important MIDI data. In most cases you will even have to tell ACID to import the MIDI CC data as envelopes on a per event basis. It is impossible to predict what the purpose of used existing MIDI songs may be, so we default to a very simple "load the notes and let the user decide what else they want from this media".

Peter

Subject:RE: Standard MIDI file tempo

Reply by: DKeenum

Date:7/10/2009 9:00:09 PM

First of all, thanks for all the advice and help.

Peter, I downloaded a file of the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from http://www.classicalmidiconnection.com/. I drug (dragged?) it into an existing project. When I went back and drug it into a new project, it worked properly. It changes tempo when I change tempo. I don't really know why, but I'm happy to find a way to make it work.

Subject:RE: Standard MIDI file tempo

Reply by: DKeenum

Date:7/10/2009 9:15:04 PM

Okay, so I looked a little closer... and DOH! The MIDI file was recorded at half the tempo of the project I was working in. When I changed the tempo it was always at half speed, but somehow I couldn't catch on. I could explain more, but let me leave it at "operator error." Sorry about the trouble.

I will now go hide my face in embarassement....