This paper presents a method for converting MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) files into DMF (DirectMusic Music File) — a compact, event-driven format used by legacy Microsoft DirectMusic systems — while preserving musical intent, timing, instrumentation, and controller data. We analyze format differences, describe mapping strategies for events and instruments, detail time-quantization and tempo-handling algorithms, and provide an implementation outline with pseudocode and complexity analysis. Example conversions and evaluation metrics demonstrate fidelity and file-size trade-offs.
| Parameter | Description | |-----------|-------------| | Rows per pattern | Configurable (16–64 rows, default 64) | | Tick resolution | MIDI ticks → DMF frames / rows (with quantization options: 1/16, 1/32, 1/64) | | Note overlap | Convert overlapping notes in MIDI to note cut + new note (or release + new note in DMF) | | Silence trimming | Remove empty leading/trailing rows automatically | midi to dmf new
The converter gives you a raw draft. You must adjust in DefleMask: This paper presents a method for converting MIDI
| Issue | Fix |
|-------|-----|
| Wrong instruments | Reassign instruments per channel (FM, PSG, etc.) |
| Notes cutting off | Adjust note release / add volume envelopes |
| Arpeggios as chords | Convert to effect column commands (E0x or E1x) |
| Drum tracks | Map to noise channel (if chip supports) or DAC samples | detail time-quantization and tempo-handling algorithms