Topic: Sometimes, when I play a midi file, the preset changes?

I think that what happens is that if I select a midi file to play, the program reverts to the piano preset that was originally used to record the midi file. But at other times, the current preset plays the midi file, even though the file was created using another preset.

Am I doing something wrong, or not understanding what is happening? Is there a way to lock the current preset in, so any midi file I play will use it?

Re: Sometimes, when I play a midi file, the preset changes?

Jake Johnson wrote:

..... Is there a way to lock the current preset in, so any midi file I play will use it?


Hello Jake,

Here is a way to lock in your current Pianoteq setting so that it will play with a given midi file.

Set up a blank midi file as a template; that is so say, create room for a midi track with track and channel assignment(s),  and then add the very instrument you wish to have play for your subsequent midi files.  Save this particular template.

Any time you wish to have a midi file played by your given setup, then call up the template and attach the given midi performance to the file and save it again.  Then on subsequent plays, the correct Pianoteq setup should play with the correct midi file.

Joe

Last edited by jcfelice88keys (14-12-2009 05:11)

Re: Sometimes, when I play a midi file, the preset changes?

I'll just take a guess that you might have midi events set up to help change presets?

I'm guessing if those commands are disabled then they wouldn't have an effect during playback.  So go check out the current midi setup and see what events you have enabled.

File-Audio/Midi Setup->Midi and take a look at mapping events.  Then modify and save a new preset if needed.

Re: Sometimes, when I play a midi file, the preset changes?

Most midifiles that are available online (certainly the ones which can be downloaded or purchased from dedicated midi sites) have a few standard midi-instructions included at the beginning of the midifile (to make sure that the file plays back as expected on generic midifile players or GM-compatible equipment).
One of these standard instructions is usually a program change. In the case of piano music, the program change instructs the playback device to switch to 'General Midi' midiprogram 01 'Grand Piano'.
Other instructions nearly always include settings for volume, panning and reverb.
Occasionaly, you also have to deal with additional midi-instructions throughout the song and this can indeed become a bit annoying if you're not interested in any of these.

A simple yet thorough solution is to open the file in a sequencer (Logic, Cubase, Sonar, Digital Performer, whatever ...) or any application that allows you to edit midifiles, and delete all the midi events, except for the notes and the controller data. And then save the file of course.

_

Last edited by Piet De Ridder (14-12-2009 20:12)

Re: Sometimes, when I play a midi file, the preset changes?

Talking about problems with MIDI files from web...

Had you noticed that some mide files, when played from web,  in the start create a very loud noise distortion for a fraction of second?

I remamber that some was even danger to the speakers, cause was a extreme noise very loud.
I suspect my left speaker get some small distortion for some frequencies.  I noticed when play E3 and E4 of Rhody, little "frequency noise" together.  In other instruments is even less noticeable.

Re: Sometimes, when I play a midi file, the preset changes?

I don't get that distorted noise, not from files that have been posted here.