Good MIDI files for Synthesia

[evilakito]

I recently discovered Synthesia, which is a game that teaches you how to play songs from MIDI files. I downloaded several piano-only MIDIs, but found that many still have segments that are virtually unplayable with human hands (i.e. reaching from D-3 to F-4 sharp). Most video game MIDIs seem as though they were put together strictly for listening pleasure.

An ideal MIDI file has the left-hand and right-hand portions on separate tracks, allowing you to practice them independently. I would personally prefer files that attempt to use single notes instead of chords, since that makes it a lot easier to play at a steady tempo.

Their Wiki gives several good links, but it doesn't look like there are any resources for video game MIDIs built specifically for playing on Synthesia. The song selections are hit-or-miss, and you don't know if they're any good until you try them.

More than anything, I'm just looking for songs that are fun to play. While I'm not a complete dummy, I'm still learning and I get overwhelmed when the MIDI authors get too fancy. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'll be sure to post about good files as I find them.

Thanks

[Purple Moss]

At the moment, I can't point you out exactly to what you seek, but I can give you some alternatives. Your best bet in these cases is to take a MIDI, extract what you can from it (what you can play) and either stick to that or come up with an arrange.

I guess you already know that VGMusic provides thousands of video game MIDIs. Besides that, the FF Shrine has many Final Fantasy MIDIs. Chiptune musician Dave Harris (Blitz Lunar) has quite a few covers on his site. This other site has a couple of Megaman X MIDIs.

Additionally, there are several ways (1, 2, 3) to make a MIDI from an SPC file (the SNES's music format), if you're interested. I guess there are similar tools for other video game music formats. The output isn't pretty, but you will skip the lengthy step of getting the music by ear.

I probably left you in the same place where you started, so at least I would like mention a way to improve your computer's (and Synthesia's) MIDI sound: The BASSMIDI driver. It's simply a driver with a lightweight soundfont that will make all MIDI files sound a bit better. Here are the instructions.

[Purple Moss]

I would like to add that if you find good piano sheet music (like the arrangements in "Chrono Trigger Original Sound Version") you can use a notation software like MuseScore to write that digitally and export it as a MIDI with both right and left-hand tracks. Though personally I think MuseScore is counter-intuitive in its use, it's a good way to get MIDI files from sheet music.