Klarinet Archive - Posting 000017.txt from 2012/01

From: Oliver Seely <oseely@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Midi Accompaniments
Date: Sat, 07 Jan 2012 17:45:17 -0500


I was first introduced to MIDI files shortly after the audio transitioned from FM synthesis to wave table synthesis, around 1995. That made a huge difference in audio quality and instrument fidelity. One of the two gurus of electronic synthesis to which I'd go when I had a problem told me that once the notes are put into MIDI files, the real work begins. This colleague played Sundays at a local church and used MIDI files as a part of his presentations. He commented that he had to adjust dynamics of individual instruments, tempo and articulation. For me, I was so eager to be able to play some things I thought would be out of bounds for me for the rest of my life, I just slopped the notes in and started playing along. After I had done quite a few works, the quarter millennium of Mozart's birth was on its way. That would have been 2006. I decided to go back and to put in all of the articulation and dynamics of all of the pieces by Mozart which I had put up on my web site. Thereafter, I never did another "notes only" file by any composer and I'm happy that I changed to more complete presentations. I don't, however, spend any time with the detailed work my colleague described. For me that kind of work is beyond diminishing returns. When I finish with the notes, articulation and dynamics of a Finale file, I save it first as a Finale file, then save it as a Type 1 MIDI file (individual tracks are shown), upload them to my web page and there they stay. It is true that a really good MIDI file is stunning, though I wouldn't go so far to say that one couldn't distinguish it from live players. I do believe that there are a lot of people who wouldn't know the difference between even a live performance and a notes-only file, but then there are also people who can't carry a tune.

As I said, to each his/her own. I wouldn't switch from playing along with MIDI files, as they are eminently versatile. Indeed, one can't find most of the works on my page in MMO format (with live players), certainly not where any two or more instruments are absent. With MIDI files, muting a track consists of one click of the mouse.

Oliver

> From: blummy@-----.net
> Date: Sat, 7 Jan 2012 12:10:59 -0500
> To: Klarinet@-----.com
> Subject: [kl] Midi Accompaniments
>
> Remember thou, that Midi can be extremely unmusical. When I was Professionally making Accompaniments from Midi, getting them musical was the hardest, and most important aspect.
> Got too cost prohibitive.
>
>
>
> David Blumberg
> http://www.mytempo.com

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