Audio/MIDI: Burn a CD from MIDI/Audio Tracks

by Thomas E. Rudolph and Vincent A. Leonard

The follow is an excerpt from Rudolph and Leonard's book entitled Recording in the Digital World.

MIDI/Digital Audio Sequencers allow for mixing of digital audio tracks and MIDI tracks in the same file. The computer can play back both types of data simultaneously, resulting in a complete performance of the piece. However, the file cannot be transferred directly to an audio CD or mixed down to a waveform file. The MIDI tracks have to first be converted to audio data. This can be done individually, track by track, or by combining several tracks into a submix. The best result will be achieved if each track is kept separate, if sufficient hard disk space is available.

The steps are relatively simple. Create a new audio track for every MIDI track. Play enable the MIDI track, or tracks if creating a submix, to be recorded. Record enable the audio track, or tracks, if transferring more than one track at a time or creating a stereo sub mix.

Play a little of the MIDI sequence at its loudest part to ensure that the level does not exceed digital zero. Then select record and let the sequence play through until the end. The MIDI data flows out through the MIDI interface to the MIDI keyboard. The audio from the keyboard is recorded back to the digital sequencer through the digital audio interface or computer card and is recorded as audio data in the digital sequencer. Depending on your studio and the digital audio interface set up, it may be possible to record more than one track at a time.

In the end, there will be an audio track duplicate of every MIDI track. For digital sequencers with DSP plug-ins, the digital audio tracks can be processed with any DSP effects included in the system such as compression, EQ, or reverb. Digital sequencers with mixing console features can control the volume level and panning of the converted audio tracks.

The last step on the road to making an audio CD is to create a stereo file in a file format supported by your CD burning software. The command for this process, and its menu location, varies from sequencer to sequencer. In Digital Performer and Pro Tools LE it is called Bounce To Disk. In Cubase VST it is called Export Audio. This provides several options for file format, resolution, and sample rate. Check the CD burning software first to determine what type of file is required. Once the stereo file is created, launch the CD burning software and create the audio CD.

Thomas E. Rudolph (terudolph@aol.com) is the Director of Music for the School District of Haverford Township. He is also the author of Teaching Music With Technology and The Video: The MIDI Sequencer in the Music Classroom

Vincent A. Leonard (VincentL10@aol.com) is a freelance author, producer, orchestrator and engraver. Also active as a composer for media productions, theater, industrials and recordings. He is a partner in Invinceable Entertainment, a production company and independent record label.