All of the practical material on this site is in Standard Midifile Format (SMF). This means that when you have downloaded an Amphion MIDIfile and saved it to disk, you can use the file on ANY sequencing programme. By transferring the file to an appropriately formatted diskette you can use it on (almost) ANY computer, too. The computer you use for playing back, editing and printing should be linked to a MIDI-keyboard (with amplification) via MIDI and to a compatible printer. This means you could use an old Atari just as well as a 5000GB-xxxKHz. super-machine!
If you have not had much experience of using MIDI you would be wise to consult Andy Murray's Website: Musicwing for useful technical advice. However, you may find that the following information is all that you need.
Most standard modern multi-media computer set-ups will allow you to play MIDI-files simply by clicking on the file icon. The most common MIDI-players are Quicktime (Movie Player) or Winamp. Click on the MIDI-file icon and a player menu will appear. Click on the start button and you will hear the music. If the sound quality is a little inferior to normal synthesized sound, do not be alarmed. Use this only as a preliminary tasting of what the file offers. When you put the file into a music sequencing programme and play it via a keyboard (or a soft-synthesizer) you can:
Musicwing has an excellent facility for checking out your set-up. Follow the instructions and you should be enjoying this site in full in no time
First you must download the MIDI-file from this site. Do this by dragging the link (blue text) to your desktop. It couldn't be easier. A file-icon with title should appear straight away. Then simply open your sequencer as if you were about to record and play. (You may want to disconnect from the internet for this.) MIDI-files are usually imported (not loaded or opened), by finding the heading IMPORT -> MIDI-FILE in the File Menu. Once imported, the MIDI-file can be played, edited and further recorded, as any other material you have in your sequencer. If you have difficulty setting up the sequencing software and linking it to a MIDI-keyboard you should consult your local dealer or school IT expert. There are too many factors involved to be considered here.
Every sequencing programme presents MIDI-information in score format in a slightly different way. If you will only be using one type of programme (Cubase, Logic or Sibelius etc) on one computer platform (windows, Mac OS or Atari etc.) you would be best advised to save your fine-tailored files in the appropriate song format of the sequencer. If in your lessons you want to use several computers and they are of a mixture of platforms, then you could do better to export your adapted version as a MIDI-file (but give it a new name rather than using the name of the MIDI-file you originally imported).
You are advised to keep your MIDI-files on a diskette, possibly several diskettes. Nearly all computer disc-drives will read DOS-formatted diskettes (certainly Mac, PC and Atari). Minor problems, however, may occur because of the memory capacity of the diskettes, rather than because of their formating - suspect this first when the computer issues a warning such as this diskette cannot be read - should it be re-formated. Ataris and older computers only read 720kB DOS-formated diskettes (enough memory for at least 10 MIDI-files). The standard nowadays is, however 1440kB. And even these are giving way now to Zip- and portable hard disc-drives. Ideally you need access to a disc drive which recognises both capacities. Then you can freely transfer MIDI-data across all platforms.
Link to Sequencer Tips and Tricks