How to make music on your PC using MIDI files

Tons of people wish they could make music, but have no idea where to start. Luckily, computers and MIDI files have made the process a lot easier, even for people with no previous musical experience.

MIDI stands for musical instrument digital interface and is widely used by musicians and producers to create music. MIDI doesn't contain or transmit any sound. Instead, MIDI is digital information that controls and triggers sounds, like the sound from a digital synthesizer or drum machine.

A single MIDI file can be used to recreate an entire piece of music or add new tracks to one of your own compositions, while giving you full control over the instruments or samples that are used. Typically, a MIDI file will contain note on/off events, note numbers, velocities, control data, and the durations and timings of each MIDI event.

Downloadable MIDI files are very easy to find on the Web and tons of them are available for free. To use them, you'll need an up-to-date computer, speakers or headphones, and a software application like Garage band, Reason, or Ableton Live. You may also want to download additional samples from the Web or a soft synth plugin to extend your sound library.

To work with a MIDI file, launch your music production software, enter the File menu, and choose to import a MIDI file. The MIDI data will show up in the MIDI view of the sequencer. Depending upon the program you use, you may need to assign the MIDI data to an instrument, like a soft synth or sampler, before or after you load the file.

Once you've assigned the MIDI to an instrument, hit play and listen to the results. While you're listening, take a note of what types of changes you would like to make. For example, you might want to remove or change some of the notes and chords.

To alter the MIDI data, click the Edit button on your sequencer and enter the MIDI view. From here, you can add, remove, or modify the MIDI notes, their durations, velocities, and any other MIDI data that appears.

If you want your music to sound original, try to avoid using downloaded MIDI files as is. The key to giving your music your own flavour is to alter the MIDI files until you achieve the sound you want.