The Best 7 PDF to MIDI Converters – Transform Your Sheet Music into a Digital Symphony!

Music is a universal language that transcends geographical, cultural, and linguistic barriers. It connects people on a deeper level, and many of us find solace and joy in creating music. However, creating sheet music can be a laborious and time-consuming task. Thankfully, there are tools available to help composers and musicians create sheet music in a digital format. PDF to MIDI converters are a great example of such tools.

PDF to MIDI converters allow you to convert your sheet music, whether it be in a paper form, a digital document, or an image, into a MIDI file. This makes it easier for composers and musicians to edit the digital sheet music, rearrange the notes, and even add new notes to enrich the sound of their compositions. In this blog post, we will introduce you to the best 7 PDF to MIDI converters available in the market. We will evaluate each tool’s features, pros and cons, and offer our thoughts on the overall performance of each tool.

Video Tutorial:

What is a PDF to MIDI Converter?

A PDF to MIDI converter is a software tool that allows you to convert sheet music in PDF, image, or paper form into a MIDI file. MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, and it is a protocol for controlling electric musical instruments, computers, and other audio devices. A MIDI file contains information about the musical notes, rhythm, and other parameters required to create music. When you convert your sheet music into a MIDI file, you can edit it and make changes to the composition using a music editing software.

Top 7 Best PDF to MIDI Converters

1. PDF to Music Pro

PDF to Music Pro is a software tool created by Myriad Software that can read sheet music in PDF format and transform it into a MIDI file. It can even recognize handwritten scores, which is a unique feature of this tool. PDF to Music Pro has a simple and intuitive user interface that makes it easy to use for beginners as well as professionals.

Pros:

• Can recognize handwritten scores, making it unique in the market.
• Supports a wide range of PDF files, including scanned documents and images.
• Intuitive and user-friendly interface.

Cons:

• Expensive compared to other PDF to MIDI converters.
• Does not offer an option for cloud storage.

2. SmartScore X2 Pro

SmartScore X2 Pro is a comprehensive sheet music scanning and editing software tool. It allows you to scan printed music sheets and transform them into editable digital files. The software can even recognize handwritten scores. Additionally, you can edit and arrange the music notes in the digital file to produce a perfect composition.

Pros:

• Can recognize handwritten scores, making it unique in the market.
• Allows you to edit and arrange music notes in the digital file.
• Comprehensive sheet music scanning and editing software tool.

Cons:

• Expensive compared other PDF to MIDI converters.
• Learning curve may be steep for beginners.

3. AudioScore Ultimate

AudioScore Ultimate is a software tool created by Neuratron that allows you to convert audio files into sheet music. It allows you to create MIDI files from a variety of audio sources, such as MP3, CD, and vinyl records. The software also offers a unique feature that allows you to synchronize the music sheet with the original audio file.

Pros:

• Allows you to create MIDI files from a variety of audio sources.
• Offers a unique feature that allows you to synchronize the sheet music with the original audio file.
• Simple and easy to use interface.

Cons:

• Expensive compared to other PDF to MIDI converters.
• May not produce accurate transcriptions from complex audio files.

4. Musitek SmartScore

Musitek SmartScore is a sheet music scanning and editing software tool that allows you to scan printed music sheets and transform them into editable digital files. It can recognize notes, slurs, and rests in the scanned image and convert them into a MIDI file. The software also offers an option to export the MIDI file to a music editing software for further editing and composition.

Pros:

• Recognizes notes, slurs, and rests in the scanned image.
• Offers an option to export the MIDI file to a music editing software for further editing and composition.
• Allows you to edit and arrange music notes in the digital file.

Cons:

• May not recognize handwritten scores accurately.
• User interface may be overwhelming for beginners.

5. ScanScore Pro

ScanScore Pro is a sheet music scanning and editing software tool created by ScanScore. It can recognize notes, rests, and slurs in the scanned image and convert them into a MIDI file. Additionally, the software allows you to edit and arrange the music notes in the digital file.

Pros:

• Recognizes complex music notations, such as grace notes, slurs, and rests.
• Offers an option to export the MIDI file to a music editing software for further editing and composition.
• Allows you to edit and arrange music notes in the digital file.

Cons:

• May not accurately recognize handwritten scores.
• May produce inaccurate transcriptions for sheets with complex notations.

6. Sibelius

Sibelius is a popular music notation software that can also convert sheet music in PDF format into a MIDI file. The software offers an intuitive user interface, making it easy to use for beginners. Sibelius can also recognize handwritten scores, making it a popular choice amongst musicians and composers.

Pros:

• Recognizes handwritten scores, making it unique in the market.
• Offers an intuitive user interface, making it easy to use.
• Allows you to edit and arrange music notes in the digital file.

Cons:

• Expensive compared to other PDF to MIDI converters.
• May produce inaccurate transcriptions for sheets with complex notations.

7. PDF to MusicXML

PDF to MusicXML is a web-based tool that allows you to convert sheet music in PDF format into a MusicXML file, which can be opened and edited in a music editing software. The software can separate the music notes, rests, and slurs from the scanned image and convert them into a digital file.

Pros:

• Web-based tool, which means you can access it from any device with an internet connection.
• Fast and accurate transcription of notes, rests, and slurs.
• Free registration and trial period.

Cons:

• Only exports to MusicXML format, which may be a limitation for some users.
• Free trial is limited to two conversions.

Comparative Analysis of Each Software

Here is a comparison table that details the features and pricing of each software tool.

Our Thoughts on PDF to MIDI Converters

PDF to MIDI converters are an essential tool for musicians and composers who want to digitize their sheet music. These tools offer convenience, saving you time and effort in creating digital sheet music. Our top picks are PDF to Music Pro and SmartScore X2 Pro. Both of these tools offer unique features, such as recognizing handwritten scores, that make digitizing your sheet music even more effortless. Another notable mention is PDF to MusicXML, which offers a hassle-free and affordable option for users who just want to try out the PDF to MIDI conversion process without breaking the bank.

FAQs

Q1: What is the difference between PDF and MIDI?

A1: PDF is a file format that represents digital printouts of documents, while MIDI is a protocol for communicating musical information like sheet music, notes, and other parameters to instruments.

Q2: Is it possible to edit the sheet music after conversion?

A2: Yes, most PDF to MIDI converters allow you to edit and arrange the sheet music in the digital file using a music editing software.

Q3: Can a PDF to MIDI converter recognize handwritten scores?

A3: Yes, some of the PDF to MIDI converters can recognize handwritten scores in the scanned image.

Q4: Are PDF to MIDI converters expensive?

A4: Some PDF to MIDI converters can be expensive, but there are affordable options available as well.

Q5: Can a PDF to MIDI converter convert audio files into sheet music?

A5: Yes, some PDF to MIDI converters can convert audio files into sheet music, such as AudioScore Ultimate.

Final Thoughts

PDF to MIDI converters are essential tools for musicians and composers who want to digitize their sheet music. The process of digitizing the sheet music not only saves time and effort but also allows for more flexibility and convenience in editing and composing music. We have introduced you to the best 7 PDF to MIDI converters available in the market, each with its pros and cons. Choose the one that suits your needs and preferences.