MIDI File Interpretation

Introduction

MIDI files consist of three types of data: (1) MIDI events, (2) timing information, and (3) file structure information (file header and track headers). Your task in this mini-project is to decode (interpret) a MIDI file by examining the individual bytes of the file.

Part 1

Determine the following information for this MIDI file listing:

1. File format (Type 0, 1, or 2)

2. Number of tracks

3. Number of ticks per quarter note

4. Shortest non-zero delta time, reported both in ticks and in microseconds (hint: the timing information you need here is derived from information  in two distinct places)

5. Top two longest delta times, both in ticks and in microseconds

Part 2

Interpret each part of the file. Use a tabular format like this:

 Byte Number         Description

1 – 4                        Header chunk ID

5 – 8                        Header chunk length = 6 bytes

etc.

Demonstrate that you understand variable-length format by decoding several of the delta times in detail. You do not need to decode all the delta times, just indicate their byte numbers.