PDF to MIDI Converter
Upload PDF, score images, MusicXML, or MXL and download a .mid file
PureMIDI's PDF to MIDI beta parses MusicXML/MXL directly. Clear digital PDFs use structure-aware score recognition, while scanned PDFs and score images become AI-recognized MIDI drafts that may need proofreading.
Upload score
Upload PDF, PNG, JPG, WebP, MusicXML, or MXL. MusicXML/MXL is parsed directly; clear digital PDFs use structure-aware recognition; scans and images may need proofreading.
Choose a score file to start
Score formats: PDF / PNG / JPG / WebP / MusicXML / MXL. Max 7.0 MB.
End-to-end workflow
- 01
Upload a score
Use PDF, PNG/JPG/WebP, MusicXML, or MXL files up to about 7MB.
- 02
Recognize notation
MusicXML/MXL is parsed directly. Clear digital PDFs use structure-aware recognition; scans and images use AI score recognition.
- 03
Review and export
Download .mid directly, or proofread the draft in the editor and export MusicXML.
What people actually do with the converter
Producer reference imports
Convert a sheet music PDF you bought online, load the MIDI in Logic / FL Studio / Ableton, and audition the arrangement before deciding to cover it.
Cover and remix
Take a PDF score, convert to MIDI, re-orchestrate with new instruments and beats.
Piano students
Convert assigned études to MIDI and play along at half speed in your DAW or notation app.
Teacher grading
Convert a student's submission to MIDI as the answer key for fast playback grading.
Tool boundaries & limits
- Current beta uploads are limited to about 7MB for stability.
- Scanned PDFs and score images are best treated as editable drafts; dense polyphony, handwriting, TAB, numbered notation, and historical notation should be proofread in notation software after export.
- MusicXML/MXL conversions use 1 credit; PDF/image score conversions use 4 credits. Hard failures release credits.
- Credit packs are one-time purchases (no expiration), good for occasional or burst usage. See /pricing for current packs.
How to Convert Sheet Music PDF to MIDI
A clean source makes a sheet music PDF to MIDI draft faster to review. Use the original PDF exported by notation software when possible; scan or photograph paper music only when no digital source is available.
Before upload, crop page borders and shadows, straighten tilted pages, and confirm every staff, clef, key signature, time signature, and barline is visible. Scan at 300 dpi or higher. For phone photos, keep the camera parallel to the page and avoid glare, fingers, curved pages, and perspective distortion. If you already have MusicXML or MXL, upload that structured file instead of asking the converter to recognize a PDF again; direct parsing is usually more reliable. After conversion, listen to the MIDI, review pitch and rhythm in the online editor, and export a MusicXML draft when you need to continue editing in notation software.
| Source | Prepare before upload | Review after conversion |
|---|---|---|
| Digital PDF | Use the original export; avoid screenshots and recompression | Key and time signatures, ties, and page transitions |
| Scanned PDF | Scan at 300 dpi or higher, crop, deskew, and remove shadows | Staff assignment, chord notes, and bar alignment |
| Score photo | Use even light and a parallel camera angle without glare | Missing notes, note lengths, and low-contrast areas |
| MusicXML / MXL | Upload the structured source directly | Instrument mapping, tempo, and track layout |
Proofread before publishing or performing
PDF and image recognition is designed to create a fast, playable, editable MIDI draft, not to guarantee a perfect engraved score in one pass. Review handwriting, TAB, numbered notation, dense polyphony, repeats, tuplets, and ornaments in the PureMIDI editor or notation software such as MuseScore, Sibelius, or Dorico.
Current beta capabilities
Only features that are wired today, not roadmap promises.
- Single-file upload for PDF, PNG, JPG, WebP, MusicXML, and MXL
- Direct MusicXML/MXL to MIDI conversion
- Structure-aware recognition for clear digital PDFs
- AI notation recognition drafts for scanned PDFs and score images
- Standard .mid download after successful conversion
- 1 credit for MusicXML/MXL; 4 credits for PDF/image score conversion; hard failures release credits
When to proofread in notation software
Complex scores are not one-click perfect
Handwriting, TAB, numbered notation, dense polyphony, and elaborate ornaments still need review in MuseScore, Sibelius, or Dorico. PureMIDI's beta is meant to create a fast playable MIDI draft.
Core audio to MIDI paths
Choose the conversion path that matches your source. These pages separate general audio, compressed MP3, YouTube/YT workflows, and local MP4/video files so each search intent has one clear owner.
AI audio to MIDI converter
Best default for WAV, M4A, FLAC, recordings, stems, and authorized audio exported from video.
MP3 to MIDI converter
Use the MP3-specific page when your source is compressed MP3 and you need bitrate or retry guidance.
YouTube to MIDI workflow
Preview a link, confirm rights, then upload audio you own or are licensed to use for MIDI conversion.
MP4 / Video to MIDI converter
Upload a local MP4, MOV, WebM, or M4V and convert its audio track directly to MIDI.
Already have a MIDI file?
If another score-recognition tool, DAW, or notation app already gave you a .mid file, open it in PureMIDI's online editor for a quick cleanup pass.
Tool-focused FAQ
Do I need to sign up?+
Yes — sign up to claim 2 free trial credits, valid 14 days. We don't offer anonymous free usage; the credit-based model keeps abuse and rights-risk under control.
Do you keep my PDF?+
PDF/image source files for successful conversions are deleted within 3 days. Failed-conversion sources may be retained for up to 14 days for recovery and support. Deleting the conversion requests immediate cleanup of its source and output files.
Is batch conversion supported?+
The beta handles one file at a time. Batch queues and one-click re-run come after score recognition quality is stable.
Can I get MIDI and MusicXML?+
Yes. Download MIDI directly, or open the score draft in the online editor, review pitch and rhythm, and export .musicxml.
Can I set the BPM before converting?+
The beta uses the score tempo when available and falls back to a default BPM. Manual BPM override is a next-step control.
Do I get refunded if a conversion fails?+
Hard failures don't consume credits. Successful conversions that produce an editable MIDI draft do consume credits, even when the result still needs proofreading.
Is there an API?+
Not yet. We are stabilizing the web converter and failure taxonomy before exposing a public webhook/API flow.
Related MIDI tools
Sheet Music to MIDI
Sheet music images and PDFs to MIDI for practice playback.
Audio to MIDI
Convert audio files or audio exported from video into editable MIDI drafts.
MIDI Editor Online
Browser MIDI editor for piano-roll editing, playback, track cleanup, quantize, and export.
MP3 to MIDI
Convert MP3 songs or MP3 audio exported from video into editable MIDI.
YouTube to MIDI Converter
Preview YouTube/YT links, then upload authorized audio for MIDI conversion.
Piano to MIDI
AI piano to MIDI converter — turn solo piano recordings into editable MIDI with accurate pitch and timing.