Standard MIDI File is the protocol that is used to transfer MIDI information from one type of device to another. A MIDI sequencer file could be transferred to another sequencer or to a notation program. In the example below a MIDI sequence file is converted to a Standard MIDI file and then imported into a notation program.
This standard was added to the MIDI specification in 1988. It is a universal
language that saves all MIDI notes, velocities, and controller codes as
a generic file that may be interpreted by any program that supports the
Standard MIDI File. In music applications that support Standard MIDI Files,
the user may access and create Standard MIDI Files with the import and export
commands. Standard MIDI files have the extension .mid added to the end of
the document name.
Once you have downloaded some MIDI files, they may be played back with any sequencer or music notation software. Usually you have to use the Import command to bring up the MIDI File on you computer program. If you are interested in playing MIDI Files on a Web site, go to Using MIDI on a Web Site for more information on MIDI Files and MIDI Plug-ins.