Jump to Key Sections
As a musician or music enthusiast, you might have come across a sheet music in PDF format that you would love to hear played. But, having a PDF file does not mean you can listen to the music. This is where PDF to MIDI converters come in handy. These tools allow you to transform your PDF sheet music into audio in the form of MIDI files, which can be played back using any MIDI-capable device or software. In this article, we will discuss the top 8 PDF to MIDI converters and what makes them stand out.
Video Tutorial:
What is a PDF to MIDI converter?
A PDF to MIDI converter is a software tool that allows you to convert your sheet music in a PDF format into an audio file that can be played back using a MIDI-capable device or software. MIDI files are lightweight and can easily be shared, edited, and reproduced while maintaining the original quality. PDF to MIDI converters use optical character recognition (OCR) technology to scan and recognize the sheet music on the PDF file and convert it into notes and chords that can be played back as MIDI audio.
Top 8 Best PDF to MIDI Converters
1. PDFtoMusic
PDFtoMusic is a powerful PDF to MIDI converter designed specifically for musicians and music enthusiasts. It uses advanced OCR technology to recognize the sheet music on the PDF file and convert it to MIDI format. One great feature of PDFtoMusic is its ability to preserve the original layout and formatting of the sheet music. It also supports multiple input formats, including PDF, scanned sheet music, and image files.
Pros:
- Supports multiple input formats
- Preserves original formatting of sheet music
- Recognizes complex music notation
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other PDF to MIDI converters
- Can be difficult to use for those unfamiliar with the software
- Some users have reported issues with accuracy
2. PDFtoMusic Pro
PDFtoMusic Pro is a more advanced version of PDFtoMusic. It offers additional features such as the ability to export audio files in different formats, including MIDI, WAV, and AIFF. PDFtoMusic Pro also allows you to edit sheet music directly within the software, making it a great tool for composers and arrangers.
Pros:
- Advanced features for composing and arranging music
- Exports audio in multiple formats
- Intuitive user interface
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other PDF to MIDI converters
- Requires some technical knowledge to use
- Not as accurate as other OCR software
3. Able2Extract Professional
Able2Extract Professional is a popular PDF converter that supports PDF to MIDI conversion. It has a user-friendly interface and can handle batch conversions, making it a great tool for those who need to convert multiple PDFs at once. Able2Extract Professional also supports other output formats such as HTML, CSV, and Excel.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Batch conversion capability
- Supports multiple output formats
Cons:
- OCR technology is not as advanced as other software
- Output quality may not be as accurate as other software
- May require some adjustments to achieve accurate results
4. SmartScore X2
SmartScore X2 is a music scanning and notation software that includes PDF to MIDI conversion. It offers advanced scanning and OCR technology that can recognize handwritten or poorly printed music notation. SmartScore X2 also allows you to edit and arrange your converted MIDI file directly within the software.
Pros:
- Advanced scanning and OCR technology
- Allows for editing and arranging of converted MIDI file
- Includes a variety of notation and score editing tools
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other PDF to MIDI converters
- Requires some technical knowledge to use
- Can be slow and resource-intensive on older computers
5. PDFtoMusic for Mac
PDFtoMusic for Mac is a PDF to MIDI converter designed specifically for Mac users. It offers the same advanced OCR technology and PDF conversion capabilities as its Windows counterpart, but with a Mac-specific user interface. PDFtoMusic for Mac also supports multiple input formats, including PDF, scanned sheet music, and image files.
Pros:
- Designed specifically for Mac users
- Supports multiple input formats
- Recognizes complex music notation
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other PDF to MIDI converters
- Can be difficult to use for those unfamiliar with the software
- Some users have reported issues with accuracy
6. PhotoScore & NotateMe Ultimate
PhotoScore & NotateMe Ultimate is a music scanning and notation software that offers PDF to MIDI conversion. It uses advanced scanning and OCR technology to recognize music notation on PDF files, images, and handwritten scores. PhotoScore & NotateMe Ultimate also includes a variety of notation and score editing tools.
Pros:
- Advanced scanning and OCR technology
- Allows for editing and arranging of converted MIDI file
- Includes a variety of notation and score editing tools
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other PDF to MIDI converters
- Requires some technical knowledge to use
- Can be slow and resource-intensive on older computers
7. Audiveris
Audiveris is an open-source PDF to MIDI converter that uses advanced OCR technology to recognize music notation on PDF files. It offers a simple user interface and can handle batch conversions. Audiveris also allows you to edit the converted MIDI files using an external notation or score editing software.
Pros:
- Open-source and free to use
- Advanced OCR technology for accurate results
- Handles batch conversions
Cons:
- User interface is not as intuitive as other software
- Does not include notation or score editing tools
- Requires some technical knowledge to use
8. Free PDF to MP3 Converter
Free PDF to MP3 Converter is a PDF to MIDI converter that uses OCR technology to recognize music notation on PDF files and convert them to audio files in MP3 format. It offers a simple user interface and is free to use. Free PDF to MP3 Converter is great for quick and easy conversions of small PDF files.
Pros:
- Free to use
- Simple user interface
- Fast conversion of small PDF files
Cons:
- OCR technology is not as advanced as other software
- Output quality may not be as accurate as other software
- Does not include notation or score editing tools
Comprehensive Comparison of Each Software
| Software | Free Trial | Price | Ease-of-Use | Value for Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PDFtoMusic | No | $249 | Advanced | Good |
| PDFtoMusic Pro | No | $399 | Advanced | Good |
| Able2Extract Professional | 7-day free trial | $149.95 | Easy | Good |
| SmartScore X2 | No | $399.95 | Advanced | Good |
| PDFtoMusic for Mac | No | $249 | Advanced | Good |
| PhotoScore & NotateMe Ultimate | No | $249 | Advanced | Good |
| Audiveris | Free to use | N/A | Moderate | Good |
| Free PDF to MP3 Converter | No | Free | Easy | Good |
Our Thoughts on PDF to MIDI Converters
PDF to MIDI converters are a great option for musicians and music enthusiasts who want to listen to their sheet music played back as audio. While there are many software tools available on the market, it is important to choose one that is accurate, easy to use, and meets your specific needs.
If you are a professional musician or composer, you may want to consider a more advanced software tool such as PDFtoMusic Pro or SmartScore X2. These tools offer advanced editing and arranging capabilities, but can be costly and require some technical knowledge to use.
For those who need a simple and easy-to-use software tool, Able2Extract Professional or Free PDF to MP3 Converter may be a better option. These tools offer basic PDF to MIDI conversion capabilities and are affordable or free to use.
Ultimately, the software tool you choose will depend on your specific needs and budget. We recommend trying out a few different PDF to MIDI converters before making a final decision.
5 FAQs About PDF to MIDI Converters
Q1: What types of input files can PDF to MIDI converters recognize?
A1: Most PDF to MIDI converters can recognize PDF files containing sheet music, as well as JPEG and BMP image files.
Q2: Can PDF to MIDI converters recognize handwritten sheet music?
A2: Some advanced software tools, such as SmartScore X2 and PhotoScore & NotateMe Ultimate, can recognize and accurately convert handwritten sheet music.
Q3: Can PDF to MIDI converters preserve the formatting of sheet music?
A3: Yes, many PDF to MIDI converters, such as PDFtoMusic and PDFtoMusic Pro, can preserve the formatting of sheet music during conversion.
Q4: How accurate is the OCR technology used by PDF to MIDI converters?
A4: The accuracy of OCR technology can vary depending on the software tool used and the quality of the input file. Advanced software tools tend to have more accurate OCR technology.
Q5: Can I edit the converted MIDI files using notation or score editing software?
A5: Yes, many PDF to MIDI converters, such as SmartScore X2 and PhotoScore & NotateMe Ultimate, allow you to edit the converted MIDI files using external notation or score editing software.
Final Thoughts
PDF to MIDI converters are a useful tool for musicians and music enthusiasts who want to listen to their sheet music played back as audio. There are many software tools available on the market, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. We recommend trying out a few different PDF to MIDI converters before choosing one that meets your specific needs. Advanced software tools such as PDFtoMusic Pro and SmartScore X2 offer more advanced features for composing and arranging music, but can be costly and require some technical knowledge to use. Simple and easy-to-use tools such as Able2Extract Professional or Free PDF to MP3 Converter are more affordable or even free, but may lack some advanced features.