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MIDI formats

MIDI file format specification (.mid) supports 3 file formats.
Format 0: The MIDI file contains a single song. All commands are in a single track where all commands of all channels are sorted by time.
Format 1: The MIDI file contains a single song. The file can have 1 or more tracks. All tracks are playing parallel. Each track can contain MIDI commands that are sorted by time. First track is reserved for conductor. First track name often contains the song name.
Format 2: The MIDI file contains one or more songs each in a track.
Older or smaller devices or software programs might only read format 0 and would need format 1 to 0 conversion. Format 0 is simpliest format because it does not need merging of tracks during playing.
Format 1 allows to use logical song parts that do not differ only by used instrument. E.g. each drum (differ only by note numbers) could use its own track instead all drums together in one track.
GNMIDI Light: https://www.gnmidi.com/handbook/english/
  • GNMIDI Light can convert a single file between MIDI format 0 and 1
  • GNMIDI Light can convert a single file between MIDI format 1 and 0
  • GNMIDI Light can split drums of a single file into more MIDI format 1 tracks
  • GNMIDI Light can play MIDI format 0 and MIDI format 1 songs
  • GNMIDI Light does not support batch conversion
  • GNMIDI Light contains many other operations for single MIDI files
GNMIDI Professional: https://www.gnmidi.com/handbook/english/
  • GNMIDI Professional can convert a single file and batch convert a folder (including subfolders) between MIDI format 0 and 1
  • GNMIDI Professional can convert a single file and batch convert a folder (including subfolders) between MIDI format 1 and 0
  • GNMIDI Professional can split drums of single file or in all MIDI files of a folder into more MIDI format 1 tracks
  • GNMIDI Professional can play MIDI format 0 and MIDI format 1 songs
  • GNMIDI Professional checks validity of MIDI files in a folder (including sub folders)
  • GNMIDI Professional support many other operations for single files and batch conversions
GNMIDFMT: https://www.gnmidi.com/gnmidfmten2.pdf
  • GNMIDFMT can convert a single file between MIDI format 0 and 1 and 2
  • GNMIDFMT can convert a more selected files in a folder between MIDI format 0 and 1 and 2
  • GNMIDFMT can not batch convert sub folders
  • GNMIDFMT can verify validity of MIDI files in a folder
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