Want to know how to convert paper sheet music or PDF into editable and playable MIDI files? Sheet music to MIDI converter can help you do it quickly.
Next, I will introduce 5 best convert sheet music into MIDI tools and teach you how to convert sheet music to MIDI easily.
Additionally, I will introduce Tunesona—a powerful platform that can generate sheet music and MIDI files, allowing you to skip the conversion step.
Part 1. Create Sheet Music & MIDI Directly with Tunesona [Free]
Converting sheet music to MIDI files often involves multiple steps such as scanning, recognition, and error correction.
If you want to skip these tedious steps and create sheet music and MIDI files directly, then Tunesona is the ideal choice.
Tunesona - Make Sheet Music & MIDI by Chatting
Tunesona is an ai music agent helps you create usable music through conversation. Unlike traditional sheet music to MIDI converters, Tunesona doesn't require you to provide existing sheet music.
Simply describe your idea as if you are chatting with a friend, and it will guide you step-by-step from inspiration to complete music, providing sheet music and MIDI file downloads.
Alternatively, you can directly enter a specific description to get the music you want in one go.
- Log in to earn free credits and enjoy core features.
- Generate music and MIDI directly through dialogue or description.
- Simultaneously provides sheet music and MIDI formats without conversion.
- Quickly create expressive music that you can confidently use in minutes.
- Making music creation simple and fast for users of all skill levels.
How to create sheet music & MIDI with Tunesona?
Step 1 Open the Tunesona and claim your free creation credits.
Step 2 Choose a creation mode. You can directly enter simple ideas in the chat box, select different options to create your own music, or use the custom mode for better control. Even upload reference audio to create songs in a similar style.
Step 3 Create songs by chatting with Tunesona.
Step 4 Export to PDF and MIDI formats.
Part 2. Top 5 Sheet Music to MIDI Converters
1 PlayScore 2
Site: https://www.playscore.co/
PlayScore 2 is a powerful sheet music recognition app that can quickly convert paper or PDF sheet music into MIDI files.
Simply take a photo of the sheet music with your phone or tablet, or upload a PDF file, and it will automatically recognize the notes and rhythms and convert them into a playable MIDI format.
- Recognizes handwritten sheet music.
- High accuracy in identifying notes, rhythms, and expression marks.
- Supports playback to hear MIDI effects in real time.
- Exports to multiple formats include MIDI and MusicXML.
- Suitable for
- Musicians and students who want to quickly digitize paper sheet music.
- Easy to use on mobile devices.
- Fast recognition speed.
- Supports playback function.
- Requires payment to unlock full features.
- Complex sheet music recognition needs manual correction.
2 ScanScore
Site: https://scan-score.com/en/
ScanScore is a professional sheet music scanning and conversion software. It can turn paper sheet music, PDF, or images into editable MIDI and MusicXML.
It uses advanced OCR technology to recognize notes, chords, lyrics, and expression marks, achieving a very high conversion accuracy.
You can directly edit the recognition results and correct errors within the software.
- Utilizes advanced OCR technology for high recognition accuracy.
- Suitable for professional music production and educational use.
- Supports multiple input formats include scans, PDFs, and images.
- Built-in editor allows correct recognition errors directly.
- Suitable for
- Arrangers and music educators who need to process large amounts of sheet music.
- Extremely high recognition accuracy.
- Powerful editing capabilities.
- Supports numerous input and output formats.
- Relatively expensive.
- Steep learning curve.
3 MuseScore
Site: https://musescore.org/en
MuseScore is a free music notation software that also can convert sheet music to MIDI. While primarily used for composing and editing sheet music, you can also import PDF files via the Audieris plugin and convert them to MIDI format.
You can edit notes, adjust rhythms, add expression marks within the software, and then directly export them as MIDI or other audio formats.
- Import and recognize PDF sheet music through plugin.
- Powerful sheet music editing features.
- Supports exporting to MIDI, MP3, WAV, and other formats.
- Active community with abundant tutorials and resources.
- Suitable for
- Music creators on a budget or those looking for long time use.
- Completely free.
- Suitable for professional sheet music creation.
- Supports multiple platforms.
- Uploading PDFs requires an additional plugin.
- Recognition accuracy is not as good as professional software.
4 Scan2Notes
Site: https://klang.io/scan2notes/
Scan2Notes is a simple and easy-to-use online sheet music recognition tool that can quickly convert photos or PDF of printed sheet music to MIDI.
It requires no software installation and can be used directly in a browser. While its recognition accuracy is not as high as professional software, it is enough for simple sheet music conversion needs.
- Convert sheet music to MIDI online.
- Simple operation, simply upload to convert.
- Supports image and PDF formats.
- Quickly recognizes sheet music and converts it to MIDI.
- Suitable for
- Users who need to quickly convert sheet music but don't want to buy expensive software.
- Free to use online.
- Simple and fast.
- Average recognition accuracy.
- Basic functionality.
5 Melogenai
Site: https://melogenai.com/app/sheet2midi
Melogenai is an AI-powered sheet music recognition tool that can convert handwritten or printed sheet music into MIDI.
It uses machine learning technology to recognize notes, rhythms, and musical symbols, accurately even for handwritten sheet music.
- AI-driven, utilizing advanced machine learning technology.
- Clean and user-friendly interface suitable for users of all skill levels.
- Excellent performance in recognizing complex musical scores.
- Supports recognition of both handwritten and printed.
- Suitable for
- People who need to recognize handwritten or complex musical scores.
- High AI recognition accuracy.
- Convenient online tool.
- Newer tool with features still being refined.
- Premium features require payment.
Part 3. Tips for Successful Sheet Music into MIDI Conversion
Successfully converting sheet music to MIDI requires not only good tools but also some practical tips.
1. Use High-Quality Scans or Images
The image quality of your sheet music directly affects recognition accuracy. High-quality input allows conversion tools to identify notes and symbols more precisely. It's recommended to use a scanning resolution of at least 300 DPI and avoid tilting or distortion when shooting.
2. Choose Clean Scores
Well printed sheet music is easier to recognize than handwritten scores. If possible, avoid using blurry, faded, or edited sheet music.
3. Simplify Complex Musical Scores
If your sheet music is very complex with multiple voices, numerous expression marks, and special symbols, consider simplifying or converting it in sections. For example, convert the main melody first, then add other parts one by one.
4. Review and Edit After Conversion
After conversion is complete, be sure to carefully check the MIDI file. Play it through and listen for any wrong notes, rhythms, or missing parts. Most conversion tools offer editing functions, allowing you to correct errors directly in the software or import it into a DAW for further adjustments.
5. Use the Right Tool for Your Needs
Different tools suit different needs. For instance, if you need quick mobile conversion, choose PlayScore 2. If you need professional-grade accuracy, choose ScanScore.
Part 4. FAQs About Sheet Music to MIDI
1 What is sheet music to MIDI?
Sheet music to MIDI refers to the process of converting paper sheet music or PDF sheet music into MIDI files. Simply put, it's turning visible sheet music into editable and compositing digital music files.
2 Why do we need to convert sheet music to MIDI?
First, MIDI files can be edited in music software. Second, MIDI files can be played directly, allowing you to hear the actual sound of the sheet music. Finally, MIDI files are small in size, making them easy to share and store.
3 Can I convert MIDI to sheet music?
Yes! Most music production software supports converting MIDI files to sheet music, such as MuseScore, Sibelius, and Finale.
4 How accurate are sheet music to MIDI converters?
Accuracy depends on the quality of the tool and the complexity of the sheet music. Professional software such as ScanScore and PlayScore 2 can achieve an accuracy of over 90%.
Conclusion
Now you've mastered all the methods for converting sheet music to MIDI! The 5 sheet music to MIDI tools introduced above each have their own unique features, and you can choose according to your needs.
However, if you want to skip the step of turning sheet music into MIDI and create music directly to obtain sheet music and MIDI files, Tunesona is definitely the best choice.
