MIDI sounds - where are they?

[marmaduke]

MIDI files are very small generally, as they only contain the coding required for the computer to play back the sounds. Where are the actual sounds that the MIDI file uses contained?

[Frenchoid]

Hi,

You're right that a MIDI file is just a set of instructions... what instrument, what channel, what volume, etc etc. Just about every PC (and mobile phone!) these days has a sound chip that can process MIDI files. Or you can buy better quality add-in soundcards for PCs which use layers of samples to create a more realistic sound. There's a standard called General MIDI which specifies what instrument is called up on a particular programme number. So a MIDI file will play on many devices with drums, piano, strings etc but will sound cheesy on some and great on others!