Beta · Score recognition

Sheet Music to MIDI

Turn PDF, MusicXML, and scanned scores into MIDI

Upload printed score PDFs, images, MusicXML, or MXL and get a downloadable MIDI draft. MusicXML/MXL is parsed directly; clear digital PDFs work best; scanned PDFs and photos 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.

How the workflow will work

01
Upload your score
PDFs, MusicXML / MXL files, and high-resolution score images all work.
02
Recognize notation
MusicXML/MXL is parsed directly. Clear digital PDFs use structure-aware recognition; scans and images become AI-recognized score drafts.
03
Download MIDI
Export a .mid file for DAWs or notation software like MuseScore, Sibelius, and Dorico.

Use cases

Practice playback

Scan paper studies, convert to MIDI, and slow-play along while you practice.

Arranging

Use existing scores as the seed of new arrangements — swap sounds, transpose, reorchestrate.

Teaching

Teachers convert homework scores to MIDI as a reference recording for grading.

Digital archiving

Preserve old or out-of-print scores in a format you can play and share forever.

Recognition accuracy notes

Higher resolution scans (300+ dpi) give the cleanest results.
Scanned PDFs and score images are beta-quality drafts; dense polyphony, jazz charts, and elaborate ornaments will need a quick proofread in notation software.
Skewed pages and shadows lower accuracy — use a scanning app to straighten the image first.
Piano scores, choral parts, and solo studies with clean engraving convert most reliably.

Supported sheet music input types

Sheet Music to MIDI accepts three input families. Each works best with a different kind of source file.

Input type	Example	Best for	Suggested resolution / spec
Digital PDF (notation export)	MuseScore / Sibelius / Dorico export	Clean staff notation with the most reliable PDF results	Original export preferred
Scanned PDF	Library scans, Google Books	Editable draft from printed pages	Source ≥300 dpi
Photo PNG/JPG	Phone snap of paper sheet	Quick draft after image cleanup	≥1500×2000 px, even lighting
MusicXML / MXL	Notation-software interchange	Parsed directly to MIDI	Structured data
Handwritten scans	Workbook photocopies	Limited accuracy today	Re-engrave first

Workflow recommendations by role

Different users adopt sheet-music-to-MIDI very differently. Pick the workflow that fits you.

Piano student: phone-snap your étude → PureMIDI → play it back at half speed in Synthesia or GarageBand.
Band / choir: scan the full score PDF → convert to MIDI → assign voices in your DAW → email the parts to members for home practice.
Music teacher: convert the assigned score to MIDI → post to Edmodo or Google Classroom as the reference recording.
Digital archivist: bulk-scan an old library, batch-convert to MIDI + MusicXML, and back up to Dropbox or iCloud Drive.
Composer: convert a sketch PDF to MIDI → re-orchestrate in Logic instead of re-entering the notation by hand.

Difference vs the PDF to MIDI page

PDF to MIDI is dedicated to PDF input. Sheet Music to MIDI is the broader entry point covering PDFs, photos, and MusicXML. If your input is only PDF, the resulting MIDI file is identical — but the docs on this page are organized around every sheet-music form factor.

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.

Edit an existing MIDI file

Import .mid / .midi, play it back, inspect tracks, quantize, adjust velocity, and export again.

Sheet Music to MIDI FAQ

Is this the same as PDF to MIDI?+

They share the same score-conversion workflow. Sheet Music to MIDI accepts PDFs, MusicXML, and images; PDF to MIDI focuses purely on PDF input.

Can I upload phone photos of sheet music?+

Yes — bright, straight, in-focus shots work best. Skewed or blurry images will lower accuracy.

Does it support MusicXML?+

Yes. MusicXML/MXL input converts directly to MIDI, and any completed score draft can be reviewed in the online editor and exported as .musicxml.

What can I use right now?+

MusicXML/MXL converts reliably, and clear digital PDFs, scanned PDFs, and score images can produce editable MIDI drafts that may need proofreading.

Will numbered notation (jianpu) work?+

Standard staff notation comes first. Numbered notation (jianpu) is on the second-phase roadmap.

Will it preserve sections in multi-page PDFs?+

Yes. The system stitches measures end-to-end while trying to keep rehearsal marks and section labels.

Will it cost anything?+

New accounts get 2 free trial credits. After that, one-time credit packs cover additional conversions.

Can I turn the resulting MIDI back into sheet music?+

Yes. Import the MIDI into MuseScore or Sibelius to regenerate an editable score.

Sheet Music to MIDI

Upload score

How the workflow will work

Upload your score

Recognize notation

Download MIDI