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 conversion is deterministic; PDF/image recognition is beta and works best on clean staff notation.
Upload score
Upload PDF, PNG, JPG, WebP, MusicXML, or MXL. MusicXML/MXL is deterministic; PDF and images use experimental AI notation recognition.
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
AI recognizes notation
MusicXML/MXL is parsed directly; PDF and images go through beta Gemini score recognition.
- 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.
OMR accuracy notes
- Higher resolution scans (300+ dpi) give the cleanest results.
- PDF/image recognition is beta; 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 follows a different recognition path.
| Input type | Example | Recognition path | Suggested resolution / spec |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engraved PDF (notation export) | MuseScore / Sibelius / Dorico export | Direct semantic extraction — highest accuracy | Resolution doesn't matter |
| Scanned PDF (image-wrapped) | Library scans, Google Books | OCR + OMR pipeline | Source ≥300 dpi |
| Photo PNG/JPG | Phone snap of paper sheet | Deskew + enhance + OMR | ≥1500×2000 px, even lighting |
| MusicXML / MXL | Notation-software interchange | Parsed directly to MIDI | Structured data, no recognition needed |
| Handwritten scans | Workbook photocopies | Experimental OMR | 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.
Already have a MIDI file?
If another OMR tool, DAW, or notation app already gave you a .mid file, open it in PureMIDI's online editor for a quick cleanup pass.
Sheet Music to MIDI FAQ
Is this the same as PDF to MIDI?+
Same OMR engine under the hood. 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. MusicXML export comes in a later stage.
What can I use right now?+
MusicXML/MXL converts deterministically, and PDF/image score recognition is open as a beta for clean printed staff notation.
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 OMR stitches measures end-to-end while keeping 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.
Related MIDI tools
PDF to MIDI Converter
Free online PDF sheet music to MIDI converter.
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.
Piano to MIDI
AI piano to MIDI converter — turn solo piano recordings into editable MIDI with accurate pitch and timing.
Guitar to MIDI
AI guitar to MIDI converter — turn electric or acoustic guitar recordings into editable MIDI for any DAW.
YouTube to MIDI Converter
Preview YouTube/YT links, then upload authorized audio for MIDI conversion.