The easiest way of playing a MIDI file in a basic Linux system?

stf92 · 01-26-2013, 11:57 PM

Slackware 14.0

Hi: that would be the question. I'd like to think one does not need 3rd-party software to play around with MIDI, precisely because of its old. If the answer is complicated, I can provide further data.

EDIT: as a matter of fact, alsa-utils package provides some support:

Code:

semoi@darkstar:~/sma_/info/clear$ apropos midi
amidi []             (1)  - read from and write to ALSA RawMIDI ports
aplaymidi []         (1)  - play Standard MIDI Files
arecordmidi []       (1)  - record Standard MIDI Files
semoi@darkstar:~/sma_/info/clear$

The great pity is I do not have MPU401 output connector in the machine rear panel.

Daedra · 01-27-2013, 12:07 AM

Your best bet is to check out timidity or fluidsynth. Both are available over at www.slackbuilds.org Yes its 3rd party software, but both are really easy to install and use.

T3slider · 01-27-2013, 12:09 AM

I use TiMidity++ with eawpats (built using SlackBuilds from slackbuilds.org). Then you can just play MIDI files using `timidity file.mid`. MIDI may be old, but even on Windows systems playing MIDI files without dedicated hardware has always required some work (I don't know about more recent versions of Windows, though).

stf92 · 01-27-2013, 12:11 AM

In another computer I do have MPU401 output connector. Do you know a command line, assuming ALSA is correctly installed, for sending a .mid file to the connector?

stf92 · 01-27-2013, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3slider

I use TiMidity++ with eawpats (built using SlackBuilds from slackbuilds.org). Then you can just play MIDI files using `timidity file.mid`. MIDI may be old, but even on Windows systems playing MIDI files without dedicated hardware has always required some work (I don't know about more recent versions of Windows, though).

Windows would be no problem for me, as I have an OPL3SA Yamaha card, and the Yamaha software to drive it. But I did not want to fall back on windows. This, on the machine I am not using.

stf92 · 01-27-2013, 12:59 AM

Success: Timidity + eawpats. But I found I must rewrite the file if I want another tempo (speed). I think it plays everything 1 fourth = 120.

andrew.46 · 01-28-2013, 02:35 AM

Not exactly part of Slackware but if your copy of vlc is compiled with libfluidsynth and you have access to a soundfont vlc will play midi files well enough. Same for audacious...

WiseDraco · 01-28-2013, 08:20 AM

what good sound cards work on linux for playing midi ( with patch-sets)? a long time ago i buyed Gravis Ultrasound PnP, put into it 5 Mb of RAM ( 30 pinn SIMM modules, not as easy to get), upload a sound bank and have a very beautiful midi music in duke nukem 3d, doom, etc... whats about something like that now in modern linux? old SB AWE32 / 64, modern creative soundcarts on PCI, who is recommended and work in that manner?