MIDI to WAV again

[ogg77]

Hi,

I just tried to convert MIDI to WAV using winamp2.91 using the manual described in other posts here (the blorp one).

But I still can't get it to work.

Let me quote the tutorial:

Method 0 (for retarded people only, doesn't have the "silence" problem)
1. Go to DirectMusic tab, see "Disable DirectMusic support" option. If it's checked, uncheck it and restart Winamp.
2. Device tab, select "Microsoft Synthesizer" device.
3. On output tab enable "Play through Winamp's output system".
4. Use Winamp's diskwriter plugin, as with converting any other format to WAV. That's all.

I can do this up to step 3. The checkbox "Play through" is grey and I cannot check it.

So I tried method 1:

[i]
Method I (recommended)
1. Get visualisation to work. More info here. Make sure that it actually works, otherwise you will get silence in output WAVs (select correct device/source etc).
[\i]

but I get stuck here. I cannot follow the instructions about getting the VIS to work, as I seem to be to stupid to understand them:

[i]If you are using some DirectMusic (*) software synth (Microsoft Synthesizer or Yamaha's Softsynth for DirectMusic), enable 'play through Winamp's output system' on output tab and everything should work fine.

Otherwise, you need to use sampling. You can enable it on output tab. After that, you need to configure device to record from, data source (usually "MIDI" or something), sampling format (higher quality = more CPU usage + better-looking VIS), etc.
[\i]

I can't do the first, as there is no clickable checkbos of this kind. I cannot do the latter, as I have no idea where to tell the system about the "source".

As a last resort I look at method ][ but I recon that this won't work any better than method one, if I cannot fulfill the first step.

I tried winamp3 as well, but no file is generated at all, even though the diskwriter tells me so and the path is correct.


So, please help
Ronald

ps: I tried some other programs like MIDIexpress or WAVrecorder, but they were crap and totally unusable as you had to buy additional components to get them to work first.

[JonnyMac]

That tutorial is out of date for Winamp 2.9x and 5.x

In Winamp try this...

Setting MIDI plug-in

1. Winamp > Ctrl+P (for preferences)
2. Plug-ins > Input
3. double click Nullsoft MIDI player
4. Device tab
5. under the Device: drop-down list select 'Direct Music / Microsoft Synthesizer (with output)'
   Note: Make sure it is 'Direct Music / Microsoft Synthesizer (with output)'. .It can be too easy to miss the (with output) part/selection, in which case the conversion will not work
6. close out of prefs

Load the MIDI file(s) you want to convert. Play one of the files to be sure it plays correctly.

Set the Disk Writer plug-in

1. Winamp > Ctrl+P (for preferences)
2. Plug-ins > Output
3. double click Nullsoft Disk Writer plug-in
4. set the Output directory: to a folder/directory of your choice (DiskWriter settings example)
5. close out of preferences

Now "play" the MIDI file(s) you want to convert. The music will not be heard during the conversion process. Note: When finished, be sure to change back to your regular output plug-in (DirectSound or waveOut). Usually DirectSound is suggested for WinXP/2000 or Vista/Win7. waveOut for Win 9x, ME or NT4. The highlighted plug-in is the current/selected one.

Special Note: Big thanks to Nunzio390 for the 1st and 3rd screen-shots.

[ogg77]

First of all: Thank you for taking the time.

I tried it, but when I start "playing" the song, winamp remains quiet (as supposed), but kbps and kHz-gauges show a blinking "0" and nothing more happens. No file is written.

I had to differences to your description:

1. The MIDI-plugin is named Winamp2 MIDI plug-in v2.64

2. The Device was called "DM / Sytnth".


Strange enough, when I tried "Reset" in the MIDI-plugin, all "DM" entries disappeared.

It's really strange...

Note: When I play something else than MIDI, the diskwriter works as excpected...

[JonnyMac]

Originally posted by ogg77
1. The MIDI-plugin is named Winamp2 MIDI plug-in v2.64

That is a pre Winamp 2.91 version of the MIDI plug-in. The MIDI plug in that comes with 2.91 is the Nullsoft MIDI player 3.01. It comes with the Standard and Full version of Winamp.

Dowload Winamp

[ogg77]

As my current winamp claims to be a 2.91 already. How can I install this newer component then?

[JonnyMac]

Did you have an early version of Winamp before you installed 2.91? Either you downloaded the light version of Winamp or accidentally unchecked the MIDI option at the time of install. That would be the reason why the old plug-in version was not written over with the new. Reinstalling the Full or Standard version of Winamp 2.91 should install the new MIDI plug-in (overwriting the old). In my second reply I provided a link to the Winamp 2 download page.

[ogg77]

OK, I re-installed it and got the MIDI-Player 3.01 at last

But following your instructions, the MIDI is still playing but not saved.

Yes, I went to the preferences, configured the wavOut-Plugin and yes, the directory is correct. And yes, the MIDI-player is set to "MDirectMusic / Microsoft Synthesizer" (and still after restart).

Remembering older posts, I tried to activate the disk-Writer using the "Visualisation-Options" using Ctrl-K to select the plugin. But I did not do either.

Finally I tried to activate the "Sampling" of the MIDI-player and the "Send output" option, but this resulted in an empty wav-file.

What now?

[JonnyMac]

Originally posted by ogg77
"MDirectMusic / Microsoft Synthesizer" (and still after restart)

The MIDI device should be set to "Direct Music / Microsoft Synthesizer (with output)" The "Direct Music / Microsoft Synthesizer" will not work for with Disk Writer.

Also don't forget to switch back to the regular output plug-in (DirectSound or waveOut) after converting the MIDI file(s).

[ogg77]

YES

Now it works. I overlooked the detail "output" in the first time.

Thx
Ronald

[JonnyMac]

You're Welcome. I am glad it is working.

[ilm]

How do you convert midi to wav in version 5?

[JonnyMac]

Should work the same for Winamp 5. Another MIDI to WAV tutorial. That also refers to Winamp 2.91, but like before it will also work for Winamp 5.

[criis]

Hi. The above stated method works well, but I would like to be able to convert a midi file using my own sound-font (sf2-file). Is this possible using winamp? The "Direct Music / Microsoft Synthesizer (with output)"-thingy ignores the fact that I have loaded another soundfont in my sound card. I hope I'm making myself clear and that someone can help me.

[siebe83]

Not sure about this (didn't try it), but the tab 'Sampling' looks promising.
Maybe try the options there (like 'send to Winamp's output system')

[JonnyMac]

Sampling is little iffy, because success will vary with the soundcard you have. It may take a little trail and error with MIDI plug-in options/settings. I had success once, but I could not remember what midi options/settings I used. (BTW I have one of those cheapy intergraded sound chips)

Maybe something like this...

Setting the Recording Control (Windows Mixer)

1. double click on the little speaker icon in the systray (tasktray).
2. Options > Properties
3. select/bullet Recording
4. depending on your soundcard, make sure something similar the following is checkmarked 'Stereo Mixer/Out', 'Wave Out' or 'What you here' > OK button
5. then checkmark/select the respective device/slider in the Recording mixer control

Setting the MIDI plug-in

1. Ctrl+P
2. Plug-ins >Input
3. Nullsoft MIDI player
4. Device tab > Select a non Microsoft Synthesizer device (maybe on that closely reflects your soundcard)
5. Sampling tab
6. checkmark "Sampling Enabled" and "Send to Winamp's output system"
7. close out of prefs. (Although not necessary you may want to close & restart Winamp)

Then use Nullsoft Disk Writer as normal. Unlike the "Direct Music / Microsoft Synthesizer" method, you may hear the music during the conversion process. Don't for get to change back to the regular/default output plug-in after conversion.

As mentioned above, it may take some trial and error. You also may want to try a different device in the Sampling tab.

Also, I am not sure if the MIDI plug-in will support sound fonts.

[edit 19 July 2006 > JonnyMac] Added Set Recording Control tip [/edit]