MIDI was a system devised in America in the mid 80's and it was a system devised so people could write their own music on a P.C provided that you had a MIDI mixing device. The word MIDI is actually an acronym and it stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. Nowadays people use MIDI as a form of entertainment such as music and all you need to get started is a MIDI compatible instrument such as a keyboard, Cables, Software, A decent soundcard capable of MIDI input and MIDI output and some form of musical knowledge. Of cource you don't need a MIDI keyboard for beginning with but you will need a music notation program such as Encore or Music Works. One general rule of thumb the better your soundcard the better your MIDI song will be so make it worthwhile and invest in a good soundcard. Another bonus with MIDI is that the completed file sounds good if you have made it properly and they are very small say around 40KB-70KB for an average size. If you are unsure where your MIDI port is or you don't know if your soundcard can use MIDI look no further than the back of your computer as the joypad port is actually your MIDI port. Notice how it's on your soundcard.
Depending on how good your computer is will depend on how good your MIDI file will sound and this includes all of the files that are on this site. Although some standards would be set every soundcard interperets a MIDI file differently so the dodgier the soundcard in your computer the crappier the MIDI file will sound. I find that on-board soundcards are passable and they offer satisfactory results but if you want the best benifites a PCI soundcard is the way to go. If you are a laptop user ensure that if you have on-board sound make sure it is a good chip such as a Creative Labs© soundcard.
A suggested setup for good MIDI listening is as follows.
» Pentium© class machine, 133MHZ Minnimum
» Windows 95 and up, MAC OS or Linux
» A MIDI file player e.g Windows Media Player
» Set of speakers, any will do
» A good quality soundcard such as a Creative Labs© Soundblaster Live! Value
This is a suggested setup only. Better components will mean the better quality experience you will have.
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