Playing MIDI files through safari browser

Question

Level 1

5 points

Playing MIDI files through safari browser

I have been using an online web app called "piano player plus" that uses MIDI files to teach the piano and the app works for pcs using some kind of virtual synth built into windows called "Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth"... however there doesn't seem to be a way to integrate the application with safari.
If there is a way I can just route the midi information to go to a synth that would be amazing. Coz I know a lot of mac users are having the same problem. Its one of those rare occasions where pcs are easier than macs.
I don't know what the IAC bus does but could that work?

Thanks

MPB Core2Duo 15" 2.33GHz 3GB RAM, iPhone 3g 3.1.2, Mac OS X (10.6.2), Pro Tools MPowered 8.0.4, Logic Pro 8.0.2

Posted on Mar 29, 2010 6:31 PM

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Answer 1

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Mar 30, 2010 8:50 AM in response to biggo

Hi

a regular midi file should play just fine in Safari via the Quicktime plugin

try http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2b/AmazingGrace.MID for example.

If that plays for you, likely the site you mention uses some other format, perhaps windows only?

Can you link to some samples?

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Answer 2

biggo Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 30, 2010 3:33 PM in response to andyBall_uk

Thanks for the reply.
That link does play fine.
Here's an example of a webpage on this site that doesn't work... at the top there are links to midi files and new pages... the pages display but the files don't play out....????

http://www.hearandplay.com/chordpower/

Please help.
Thanks a lot

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Answer 3

biggo Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 30, 2010 5:27 PM in response to andyBall_uk

I just thought... (dangerous) ... would installing quicktime 7 make any difference?

I don't want any extra applications clogging my machine but this is quite important.

Thanks again

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Answer 4

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Mar 30, 2010 6:19 PM in response to biggo

Hi

the issue is, those pages use the bgsound tag to play the midi files, and only Internet Explorer supports it. The file is perfectly playable in safari or any browser, or quicktime player.

eg http://www.hearandplay.com/s05.mid (this will likely download automatically, due to the way their server is configured)

Short of seeing if the ancient & unsupported & insecure IE5 will run on your mac, assuming you can find a download ( don't bother looking at Microsoft ), you're stuck. apart from checking the source code of each page & downloading each midi file to play in Quicktime... better finding another online tutor site, I'd think; sorry.

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