Reference Guide

951
MIDI Files
Features Not Supported by MIDI Files
While the MIDI file format is very flexible and extensive, it cannot store the following parameters that
are part of a standard project file: key offset, velocity offset, time offset, and forced channel.
When you save a project to a MIDI file, most of these parameters are applied to the individual
events. For instance, if you have assigned track 1 to channel 10 in the Track view, SONAR will write
the MIDI file so that every event on track 1 has a channel number of 10. When you subsequently
load the MIDI file all of those Track view parameters will have vanished. But the music will sound the
same, because SONAR has made these changes to the events themselves.
Other MIDI File Handling Notes
Here are a few specific points about how SONAR works with MIDI files:
• SONAR places Lyric events found in Format 0 MIDI files into Track 4, in accordance with
conventions used by karaoke players.
• SONAR inserts any Text or Lyric events found at time 0 in a track into the Comments field in the
File Info dialog box, unless the Text or Lyric event is preceded by a Note event.
• SONAR automatically enables the Zero Controllers when Play Stops option (available through
the Options > Project command, on the MIDI Out tab) whenever a MIDI file is loaded.
• If a general MIDI file contains a copyright notice, the File Info window will be displayed
automatically when the file is opened.
Special Handling of GM, GS, and XG MIDI Files
General MIDI compatibility of a song file is indicated by the presence of a special System Exclusive
message at the beginning of the song. When SONAR finds a GM, GS or XG reset message, it
assumes that you would like to work within the GM Score Production guidelines. This causes
SONAR to use special timing for program change information when writing MIDI Files, and allows it
to search more aggressively for track parameters when reading MIDI files. The result is that it is
easier than ever to create and use General MIDI song files with SONAR.
SONAR does not enforce or even verify compliance with the GM guidelines for your music data. But
SONAR does comply with them when generating events that represent track parameters. If
necessary, SONAR will insert blank setup measures at the start of your song. This makes space for
certain events to be inserted at the correct times at the start of each track: bank changes, patch
changes, volume, and pan. This means that you can use SONAR’s track parameters for these
Track name Track name
Port number (format 1) Port assignments are maintained. Only available when the Write
Cable Meta Events to MIDI Files (Output Select)
MIDI File Meta-event How it is represented in SONAR
Table 200.