Digital Vs MIDI: The Good and Bad

The following blog post, unless otherwise noted, was written by a contributor. The thoughts and opinions expressed are those of the writer and not TAS.


MIDI loopsBefore we distinguish the two audio formats on the basis of their attributes, it’s important to know what digital files are all about.

Basically, a digital audio file is a presentation of the audio file that gets stored in digital waveform after the audio format gets converted in binary codes. However, the two audio formats – Digital and MIDI differ on the basis of file size and sound quality.

Pros of using Digital Audio files

  • The biggest advantage a digital audio file gives over MIDI loops is a steady and balanced playback quality.
  • An audio format created with digital platform is independent from the recording device and thus has similar output with every playback system.
  • Digital audio files are adaptable to a wide range of software applications and are compatible on different platforms from Windows and Macinoth.
  • Such files are impressively good with spoken dialogues and thus suitable for different multimedia sound tracks.

The Cons of using Digital Audio files:

  • While working with digital audio files, you need a system with high configuration that has a superlative processing and bandwidth.
  • A digital audio file is comparatively larger in size than a MIDI file and consumes a greater amount of time in processing.

The Pros of using MIDI Audio files:

  • The biggest advantage with MIDI audio files is their relatively smaller or compact size than that of digital audio files.
  • Because of their compact size, audio files with MIDI loops are more quick and easy for online uploads and playing.
  • Files with MIDI formats are easily editable that can feature the removal or addition of any specific instrument in it.
  • Dependent on the recording platform, MIDI audio files can have a high quality output and might sound better then digital audio files.

The Cons of MIDI Audio Files:

  • MIDI Audio files are reliant on the playback device preferred for recording and thus the quality of output produced will show its specific attributes.
  • A MIDI loop created with such platform doesn’t support the ease of play back spoken dialogues that we can have with digital audio formats.
  • To excel the art of working with MIDI audio format, one needs to have a complete knowledge about musical scores, audio production and different musical instruments.
  • With the dependency of MIDI audio files on the recording device, these files have limitations to be used in specified fields only.