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Frequently asked questions

This page lists some common questions and their answers.

midis2jam2

What is midis2jam2?

midis2jam2 is a remaster of MIDIJam, a 3D MIDI file visualizer. That means it plays MIDI files and animates their performance with a virtual band. Each MIDI track controls each instrument in the band. The app plays the MIDI file and animates the band to match the performance, giving the illusion that the band is playing the song. Those familiar with Animusic may recognize this idea.

Is midis2jam2 free?

midis2jam2 is free and open source software. The app is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0.

MIDI files

What is a MIDI file?

A MIDI file is a computer file that has instructions for playing music. It doesn't contain any actual sound, but rather the instructions on how to play a particular song. These commands include what notes to play, when to play them, and how loud to play them.

Since MIDI files are essentially instructions for playing music, software packages can use them to drive procedural animations, such as midis2jam2.

How do I get MIDI files?

  • Online websites – There are many websites that offer free MIDI files, such as MIDIWorld and FreeMidi. You can find MIDI files on YouTube by searching for "MIDI" followed by the name of the song.
  • MIDI sequencers – To create custom MIDI files, use a MIDI sequencer, such as MuseScore, a free and open source music notation software that creates and edits MIDI files. You can also use a digital audio workstation (DAW) like FL Studio, or a free online tool like Signal.
  • MIDI files on your computer – On Windows, there are three example MIDI files in the C:\Windows\Media directory. These files are flourish.mid, town.mid, and onestop.mid.

Usage

How do I play a song?

Refer to the Getting Started page for instructions on how to play a song.

Why are some instruments missing?

The app is a continuous work-in-progress project. Some instruments aren't yet implemented.

Can I record to a video file?

Not yet. The developer plans this feature for a future release.

Will there be an Android/iOS version?

iOS support is unlikely, as a solo developer can't afford the annual fee and required hardware to publish apps on the App Store. The developer plans Android support for a future release.