Opening old MIDI files

[funkyfreddy]

Here's a question.... I have a lot of old MIDI files that I can't open. Most of them were done pre 1998 using Opcode's Vision. Some of them I can open in DP or Reason, but most of them I can't. The ones that I can't open are listed as "Unix Executable File".

Not sure how they got changed from standard MIDI files? Perhaps during one of many Mac OS upgrades? Anyone know of any way I can re-open them in DP (or Reason)? Thanks for all your help in advance!

[mikehalloran]

How are they named?

Do Get Info on a file. Under Name and Extension, it should read something like mysterysong.mid

The important thing is that there should be only one dot and it should be followed by mid at the end of the file. Underscores and dashes are fine. If you have to change the file name to comply, you will get a pop-up that warns against changing the file type - are you sure? Click Yes.

Once you get the naming convention right, the file should open in QuickTime 7.6.6 (in your Utilities Folder if you have it installed - if not, it's a free download from Apple). If nothing else, it should play General MIDI sounds in QT 7. Drag it onto the QT 7 icon - if it's a good file, it should open up and play. Once you have it working there, import into DP or Opcode.

Try this first and see what happens.

Here's the download for QT 7.6.6. It will install in your Utilities Folder so that it won't conflict with QT 10.x in your Applications folder. Do not move it to another location! If you have a QT Pro Key for the Mac version of QT 6 or 7, it will still work with 7.6.6.

http://support.apple.com/kb/dl923

If you have QT 7.7 from an old install of OS 10.5.x, Trash it or 7.6.6 might not work. QT 7.7 does not work on 10.6.3 or later.