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MID File - What is a .mid file and how do I open it?
Learn about .MID files and view a list of programs that open them.
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Overview
What is a MID file? A MID file is a standard Musical Instrument Digital Interface ( MIDI ) file used by music authoring software and MIDI-compatible hardware devices. It contains musical performance data, such as the notes that are played, when they are played, how long they are held, and how loud each note sounds. MID files do not store actual audio data.
More Information MID file open in VideoLAN VLC media player 3 MID files store musical instructions that various instruments or synthesizers interpret to play them back. In addition to note information, MID files may include controller data, such as instrument changes, sustain pedal use, and volume adjustments. Musicians, producers, and composers use MID files to share and reproduce musical sequences across different programs and devices. Educators and game developers may also create and modify MID files. NOTE: MID files also use the .MIDI file extension.
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DeveloperN/A
Popularity3.0 | 10 Votes
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.MID File Extension
3 file types use the .mid file extension.
MIDI File
| Developer | N/A |
| Popularity |
3.9 | 225 Votes |
What is a MID file?
A MID file is a standard Musical Instrument Digital Interface ( MIDI ) file used by music authoring software and MIDI-compatible hardware devices. It contains musical performance data, such as the notes that are played, when they are played, how long they are held, and how loud each note sounds. MID files do not store actual audio data.
More Information
MID file open in VideoLAN VLC media player 3
MID files store musical instructions that various instruments or synthesizers interpret to play them back. In addition to note information, MID files may include controller data, such as instrument changes, sustain pedal use, and volume adjustments.
Musicians, producers, and composers use MID files to share and reproduce musical sequences across different programs and devices. Educators and game developers may also create and modify MID files.
NOTE: MID files also use the .MIDI file extension.
How to open a MID file
You can open MID files with various audio players and editors, including VideoLAN VLC media player , Microsoft Windows Media Player , and Apple QuickTime Player . To open a MID file with VLC media player, select File → Open .
Several online apps can also open MID files. Some options include Pianotify and Signal Online MIDI Editor. To open a MID file with Signal Online MIDI Editor, select File → Open .
How to convert a MID file
Various audio applications, such as VideoLAN VLC media player and Apple GarageBand, can convert MID files.
For example, VLC media player can convert MID files to several audio file types, including the following formats:
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Programs that open MID files
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Program Name
Platform
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VideoLAN VLC media player
Free
Windows
Microsoft Windows Media Player
Included with OS
Nullsoft Winamp
Free
NoteWorthy Composer
Free Trial
TiMidity++
Free
MakeMusic Finale
Free Trial
NCH WavePad
Paid
Mac
Apple QuickTime Player
Included with OS
Apple GarageBand
Included with OS
Apple Logic Pro
Paid
TiMidity++
Free
MakeMusic Finale
Free Trial
Linux
TiMidity++
Free
KMid
Free
Web
Pianotify
Free
Signal Online MIDI Editor
Free
Android
File Viewer for Android
Free +
Synthesia
Free Trial
Category: Audio Files
Updated: April 2, 2026
MapInfo Data File
| Developer | Pitney Bowes Software |
| Popularity |
3.0 | 39 Votes |
GIS data file created by MapInfo, a spatial data analysis and visualization software; saves spatial data for a corresponding .MIF (MapInfo Interchange Format) file; used for storing larger data sets not expressed in the MIF file.
Programs that open or reference MID files
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Pitney Bowes MapInfo
Paid
GDAL
Free
Linux
GDAL
Free
Category: GIS Files
Updated: January 17, 2012
Guitar Rhythm Data File
| Developer | N/A |
| Popularity |
3.0 | 10 Votes |
A MID file may also contain song data used by various guitar rhythm video games, such as Guitar Hero, Clone Hero, Phase Shift, and Rock Band. It does not contain audio data, but instead uses MIDI data to mark events during song playback. Events include guitar notes, practice mode sections, star power phrases, and other events.
More Information
MID files are typically stored in a folder with one or more audio files. For example, a Guitar Hero audio track (saved as an .OGG file) may have a corresponding MID file that contains guitar notes to be played for that song.
Most guitar rhythm gamers will not need to open or edit MID files unless they are looking to modify notes or create their own song files. If you want to modify notes, you can open and edit MID files using FeedBack and Moonscraper Chart Editor. You can import MID files directly into Guitar Hero III using Guitar Hero Three Control Panel (GHTPC).
NOTE: Guitar rhythm files are also saved with a .CHART file extension to avoid confusion with standard MIDI files.
Common MID Filenames
notes.mid - The standard filename used to store guitar rhythm data for a specific song
Programs that open or reference MID files
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FeedBack
Free
Moonscraper Chart Editor
Free
Clone Hero
Free
Guitar Hero Three Control Panel
Free
Phase Shift
Free
Category: Game Files
Updated: August 20, 2019