Edit midifiles - how it works

Midi files are often available free of charge on the Internet, and in principle they can be edited very easily, for example for karaoke parties or simply to vary notes. However, freeware for MIDI editing is rare and mostly quite limited in functionality. We will show you two suitable freewares and introduce you to demo versions and paid full versions.

You can use these programs to edit MIDI files

In MIDI files you can change individual notes, the instrument or even the tempo. We explain exactly what MIDI is about in a separate practical tip about General MIDI. You can import, edit and export midifiles with the following software:

1. If you just want to open the file, cut out parts, move them by an octave if necessary, and export them again, the freeware sequencer Audacity is sufficient, which you can find in our download portal. You can also add lyrics here if you wish.
2. Otherwise, import, editing and export of midi files is possible with the freeware Direct Music Producer from Microsoft. Here you can set, lengthen and shorten the notes as in a painting program. Just create a new file and import the desired MIDI file.
3. For professional editing of MIDI files, including VST or Direct-X synthesizers and effects and WAV export, try Steinberg Cubase Elements 8, which you can get as a free demo from our download portal. You have the same range of functions with the demo version of Steinberg Nuendo.
4. If you can spend a bit of money on long-term use of professional software, get Magix Samplitude or the Mac Apple Logic X.
5. Another practical tip will tell you where you can get great MIDI files legally and free of charge.
6. Of course, you can also use the professional sequencers to create new MIDI files or record them using the keyboard. We show you how to do it.
7. For your karaoke party, load the MIDI files into KaraFun or WinAmp and it is best to connect a good-sounding MIDI keyboard as a sound output.