[SOLVED] Converting MIDI file to MusicXML via command line

• Nov 3, 2019 - 17:08

Hi,

I'm working on a project and want to convert a large set of MIDI files into a file format like MusicXML using MuseScore. I'm aware that I can convert a MIDI file to a MuseScore file by simply opening it in the program, but I can't do this manually for every single MIDI file, as it will take too long. Is there a way to do this through the command line? It seems like the -o option only works on MuseScore files, rather than any importable file, although I could be wrong. Otherwise, if this is not possible in MuseScore, would anyone be able to suggest a program that could convert MIDI files to MusicXML?

Thanks

EDIT: I was actually incorrect, it is possible to use the -o option to convert MIDI to MusicXML from the command line. I shouldn't have any problems now, ty.


Comments

"Convert" is not really the right terminology or idea here. I'm not just talking about words. When you import a midi file of any complexity/real composition into a notation program, you are guaranteed to get inaccuracies of many kinds, particularly rhtyhmic notation (articulation mistaken for), enharmonic note equivalents, and reconstruction of multiple voices/chords on a staff. The result of importing a midi file is, almost without exception, a mess that you have to go through and deconfuse manually. It is very unlikely that you will ever see a playable/usable score as the result of midi importation (in any application) without sustained human effort. I've been there more than a few times.

Since you use the same command to open .mscx, .mscz, .mid, .gp? and so forth, musescore has the ability to open them from the command line. Any format it's capable of writing is an option for the destination format from any type it can open. Do keep in mind that, as BSG said, midi files are a terrible format to transfer files from one program to another so user intervention is almost always called for. If you're happy with the batch results that's good, but I believe this would prove to be the exception.

In reply to by mike320

With no disrespect to the illiterate in this area (except that maybe they should read up and become literate) ... what is needed is literacy. "MIDI and mp3 are popular music formats ...." "A car is a lot like a subway pass/token, except it won't get you on the subway." "Painting is a good hobby; so is a dog."

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