Musicians and composers often face challenges working with PDFs due to their fixed presentation across different devices. Converting music notations into MIDI files addresses this issue by allowing musicians to manipulate and playback music using different digital instruments and software. Moreover, MIDI files are highly editable, which enables composers to modify arrangements, change instrumentation, and experiment with different musical strategies.
The conversion process involves using Optical Music Recognition (OMR), which scans the PDF file to detect and interpret the music notations. The detected symbols are then translated into a MIDI format, which encodes the music information as digital instructions. Several software and online PDF to MIDI conversion tools are available to cater to this conversion, which we'll discuss in this comprehensive guide.
Part 1. What is MIDI and Why Use It?
When talking about the best music formats, MIDI is the standard choice due to its ability to efficiently communicate musical data. Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) describes a digital interface for communicating musical data between electrical musical instruments and other related devices. MIDI files capture musical notes, their time duration and intensity, and when the note is released.
This information makes this particular format highly efficient and concise, enabling complex musical notes to be represented with smaller data files than PDFs. Additionally, MIDI can be easily edited so that notes can be added, deleted, or altered without hampering the overall music quality. Having established the benefits of the MIDI format, read the section below to see when you need to use the PDF to MIDI converter software.
Use Cases of MIDI
After reading the above section, you are now aware of the importance of the MIDI format. So, let's look through some of the diverse use cases of this format in the music industry.
- Digital Manipulation: MIDI is a universal standard music format as it allows musicians to easily edit or modify the musical elements without affecting the quality of the original music. This flexibility is helpful for musicians who need to experiment with different musical ideas and arrangements.
- Playback: The music within MIDI files can be easily played back on digital instruments and software, allowing musicians to listen to it as intended. This feature is particularly beneficial for practicing and performing as it allows musicians to familiarize themselves with music and make real-time modifications.
- Wider Accessibility:One of the striking features of MIDI is its accessibility. The music industry universally accepts MIDI because it can be accessed through different devices and platforms. This facilitates seamless integration and collaboration among musicians, regardless of the devices they use.
- Music Editing: If sound producers wish to edit the music, they must convert PDF-based music notations to music format using the PDF to MIDI conversion tools. After creating MIDI files, users can easily edit or control every aspect of the musical notes, ranging from note durations to intensities. This level of control is essential for generating high-quality music productions.
- Small File Size:MIDI files are highly compact, allowing for the representation of complex musical notations with relatively smaller sizes. This format's compact nature makes it ideal for storing, sharing, and transmitting notes across various communication channels.
Part 2. 5 Best PDF to MIDI Conversion Tools
After learning about Afirstsoft PDF as the best PDF to MIDI conversion tool, you might be looking for its alternatives. The following section discusses some alternate options in detail, along with their features, pros, and cons, to help you make the best choice while selecting a tool.
1. OnlineConvertFree
Using this online converter, musicians can convert complex PDF music sheets into MIDI format with a click. The advanced OMR ensures the precise conversion process without compromising the original sound's quality. Moreover, this tool provides a batch processing feature, allowing users to batch convert multiple PDFs to MIDI in one go. You even get the chance to convert documents to various other file formats such as Word and PPT.
Key Features
- Before conversion, you can adjust the speed or tempo of the output MIDI file according to your music preference.
- You even get the option to shift the MIDI notes up or down to change the music's key.
- Musicians can also modify instrument settings assigned to MIDI tracks to alter the sound and instrumentation of the music.
Pros
- This best PDF to MIDI converter is available for iOS and Android devices.
- Besides conversion, you can utilize its editing functionality to edit or add text within the PDFs.
Cons
- This tool does not offer the page selection feature to convert specific PDF pages into MIDI.
Pricing Plans
- Light: $8.99 per month
- Pro: $13.99 per month
- Unlimited:$19.99 per month
2. PlayScore
PlayScore is an application that manages PDF sheet music and converts it to MIDI files. This advanced tool can scan sheet music through a camera, directly import a PDF, and convert it into MIDI. Other than that, this tool also allows you to select specific sheet pages you want to convert by tapping on the pages. After converting, musicians can share the generated file via email or social media platforms.
Key Features
- PlayScore can recognize various standard musical symbols, including notes, bars, and rests.
- Using this PDF to MIDI conversion tool, you can also adjust the playback speed of the music.
- This tool provides transposition capabilities, enabling composers to adjust the instrumental parts to a different key.
Pros
- Other than MIDI, you can convert PDF sheet music into MusicXML format.
- This tool allows you to select a specific page range to import for extensive PDFs containing multiple pieces.
Cons
- The free version of PlayScore doesn't have the option to convert PDF sheet music to MIDI.
Pricing Plans
- PlayScore 2 Professional Month:$6.99
- PlayScore 2 Professional Year: $49.99
3. 2PDF
This tool allows users to convert their PDF-based musical scores into MIDI files with a few clicks. 2PDF allows users to reduce the file size of the PDF sheet music, leading to compact MIDI files that are easy to share and download. Moreover, you get the utility to merge several PDFs into a single document and collectively convert all the sheet music to save time.
Key Features
- You can also split a PDF sheet of music into several pieces and then individually convert them to MIDI.
- Before conversion, you can select your desired orientation and page size of the output MIDI.
- With the help of thisPDF to MIDI conversion tool, users can edit the metadata of digital music sheets.
Pros
- The converted files are automatically deleted after 24 hours to ensure data security.
- Users can also convert PDFs into multiple audio and video formats.
Cons
- The free trial of this tool cannot convert PDFs exceeding the 100 MB file size limit.
Pricing Plans
- Standard:$5.99 per month
- Professional:$9.99 per month
4. ScanScore
ScanScore is a specialized software that allows users to import sheet music from various sources, including scanned images and PDF files. This converter uses advanced OMR algorithms to detect and interpret complex music notes to generate accurate MIDI files. In addition, you can edit and correct recognized musical notations, such as adjusting note positions, correcting errors, or refining musical elements.
Key Features
- You can play the music sheet directly within the software and export it into MIDI format.
- In addition to MIDI, ScanScore can convert music sheets into MusicXML format, allowing for interoperability with music notation software.
- This tool supports batch processing to convert multiple pages of sheet music in one session.
Pros
- This PDF to MIDI converter software is available for both Mac and Windows, catering to a wide range of users.
- The software also provides tools to access the quality of the scanned score, helping to identify recognition errors within the PDF sheet music.
Cons
- ScanScore is limited to converting extensive and complex PDF sheet music.
Pricing Plans
- ScanScore Ensemble: $39 per year
- ScanScore Professional: $79 per year
- ScanScore Melody: $9 per year
5. Soundslice
With the help of this tool, you can utilize advanced technology to detect and interpret sheet music through its built-in scanning image feature. Other than that, users can upload their PDF-based music notations to the tool to convert them to MIDI. Musicians can also mark the scores with annotations and other instructional notes to enhance their learning skills. Plus, this tool supports a wide range of music notations, leading to accurate conversion to MIDI.
Key Features
- Composers can even convert handwritten sheet music to MIDI formatusing this PDF to MIDI conversion tool.
- Besides conversion, Soundslice allows you to transpose the imported music to different keys.
- Vocalists can also add lyrics to PDFs,helping them understand the lyrics' timing.
Pros
- After conversion, you can import the MIDI files to the tool and adjust their playback speed.
- Musicians can share their MIDI-converted sheet music with the Soundslice community.
Cons
- Users need to upgrade to the paid plans to access the conversion feature.
Pricing Plans
- Plus: $5 per month
- Teacher:$20 per month
- Licensing:$0.50 per month per user
Bonus Part. How to Convert PDF to Different Formats With Afirstsoft PDF
Afirstsoft PDF can transform simple PDFs into dynamic file formats with precision and efficiency. By leveraging its advanced technology, you can accurately interpret the content and convert it into the required format while preserving its quality. The batch conversion feature further enhances productivity by allowing users to process the entire document collection, saving valuable time.
This converter also offers a page selection feature that allows users to specify which pages of PDF documents to convert, which is ideal for people working with extensive documents. Additionally, you can use OCR functionality to extract content from even scanned or image-based PDFs, ensuring precise conversion into editable formats.
Benefits of Using Afirstsoft PDF
There are many benefits to using Afirstsoft PDF as the basic PDF editing tool in your everyday tasks. For that, we’ve highlighted some of the potential advantages of this tool as follows:
- Accessibility on Different Devices: Buying a license of Afirstsoft PDF gives you the option to use it across any platform, whether it is its online platform, desktop, or mobile app.
- Cloud Storage Availability: When using this PDF solution, you are offered a dedicated cloud storage. It helps you save important data across the platform, thus keeping away from all data loss threats.
- Easy Algorithm Processing: Afirstsoft PDF comes with a simple algorithm, which allows you to process your documents easily. The operations associated with the algorithm are not complex, which gives you the ability to perform tasks in a few steps.
- Lightweight Software: The overall platform is not heavyweight, does not associate large-sized downloads, and processes functions without any hindrance.
Steps to Convert PDF to Any Appropriate Format With Afirstsoft PDF
Provided next are the simplified steps to perform PDF conversion across Afirstsoft PDF. The details mentioned next will help you execute the conversion process across this multi-operational PDF tool:
Step 1. Import the PDF Sheet Music For Conversion
The initial step is to download and install the latest version of Afirstsoft PDF on your system. Then, launch the tool and navigate to its home page. Now, click the "Open" button from the left side to import the PDF to the tool's editing interface.
Step 2. Initiate PDF Conversion Using Export Option
Once imported, head to the "Files" option at the top-left corner of the interface to open a drop-down menu. Within this menu, place the mouse cursor on the "Export" option to reveal a list of available file formats.
Step 3. Save the Converted File to Your Device
After selecting a format, a "Convert" window will appear where you can optimize the output settings. Here, specify the "Output Folder" where you want to save the file and "Page Range" for targeted conversion. Finally, hit the "Convert" button to begin the conversion and save the converted file to the designated folder.
Part 3. FAQs on How to Convert PDF to MIDI File
- What factors can affect the accuracy of PDF to MIDI conversion?
Before conversion, ensure that the PDF file you want to convert has clear and well-defined notations. Blurry scans, complex PDF layouts, or handwritten notes with messy writing can all lead to recognition errors. In addition, the PDF sheet music must be free from complex formatting, as it cannot translate accurately into the converted MIDI file.
- Which features you must look for in an advanced PDF to MIDI converter?
Ensure that the PDF to MIDI conversion tool you've selected has advanced OMR technology to accurately interpret the musical notations. Moreover, if your PDFs contain lyrics, choose a tool that also offers OCR functionality. Additionally, look for a batch conversion feature that allows you to convert a batch of PDF music sheets simultaneously to save time.
- Which are the best PDF conversion tools available in the current market?
There are many online and offline tools available to facilitate the conversion of PDF files, but often, they lack advanced features. Among all the options, Afirstsoft PDF is the best converter due to its superior conversion speed, conversion quality, and no limitations. Additionally, this tool offers batch processing features and powerful OCR functionality to provide reliable conversions.
Conclusion
Throughout this article, we discussed the top tools for PDF music sheet conversion to MIDI. We’ve gone through several options to discover the best competitor in the market with diverse features. Along with all the renowned PDF to MIDI conversion tools, we’ve also discussed an option for converting PDFs into different formats. Afirstsoft PDF provides variable options and unique features to provide optimal conversion results.
