35 Best Free Midi Files 2023 [& Websites To Download Them]

Last Updated on April 10, 2023

Looking to download some sick MIDI files for free?

You can! And there are sites serving a variety of musical niches.

You wouldn’t necessarily want to download a MIDI file and pass it off as your own (that could get you in trouble – don’t break copyright laws). But let’s face it – covers and remixes are popular in every category of music and starting from scratch can slow down production.

So, in this guide, we’ll look at the best free MIDI files and websites where you can download them.

Carlo’s MIDI

Carlo’s MIDI is the most forward-looking MIDI file site with a modern website design, a blog, a newsletter, and even links to social media. Like most other sites in the category, it appears to be supported by ads, but overall, it does offer one of the better MIDI file site experiences available.

Carlo’s MIDI even has a “request” function that allows you to vote for the MIDI file you’d like to see added to the site next. You can even request a song directly. Nice.

MIDI files are searchable via the search bar, latest and most downloaded MIDI, as well as the “MIDI List” page where you can browse the list alphabetically, by release date, publication date, BPM, artist, and title. Quite handy.

Each MIDI file has a download page where you get a little bit of info on the song, like artist, title, release date, key, BPM, genre, label, instruments, and length. Of course, there are links to similar MIDI files too.

You can even play the MIDI and convert it to MP3 if you wish.

This is what we would expect from a modern MIDI file site experience. Carlo has done a real service for people looking for MIDI files online. We estimate their library to be at about 400 files right now, so in that sense, they have a way to go to catch up with some of the other sites on this list. But we think it’s worth adding to your “watch” list.

Best MIDI Files On Carlo’s MIDI

Here are some of the most downloaded MIDI files on Carlo’s MIDI:

BitMidi

BitMidi is an easy to search MIDI file site serving 113,244 MIDI files (and increasing) curated from around the world. It’s entirely possible they are one of the biggest.

From the moment you land on the site, you’ll notice that they mean business. There isn’t a wall of text welcoming you to their site, and there are no videos telling you what they do or what they’re about. From their homepage, you can search for MIDI files, click on the “random MIDI” file to be brought to a file in their database, or scan popular MIDI files.

The one thing we wish they added to their site is the ability to browse MIDI files alphabetically. Because there isn’t a way to view available MIDI files without going through their site page by page. That said, if you know what you’re searching for, you can find out whether BitMidi has it, quite quickly, using the search.

What’s best about BitMidi is that you can listen to a MIDI file before even downloading it. Which obviously gives you a better idea of whether you even want to grab it off their site.

Each MIDI file has its own page with links to related MIDI files. Another nice touch.

Overall, BitMidi is fast and highly usable, so for all those times you need to find something quick, you should keep it on your short list of MIDI databases.

Best MIDI Files On BitMidi

Here are some of the most downloaded MIDI files on BitMidi:

Partners In Rhyme

With a name like “Partners In Rhyme,” you would assume this MIDI site would be firmly planted in the hip-hop niche, but that’s not the case. They’ve got an extensive library of MIDI files in a variety of categories.

And you can tell, from the moment you land on the website, that it’s basically there to help you find what you’re looking for, get in, and get out.

Now, what might not be clear upon entry is that there is more to Partners In Rhyme than just free MIDI files (which they do have). They also sell royalty free music in a variety of categories, link out to other resources, and have free sound advice on their blog.

If you want to go straight to the MIDI files, find and click on the “Free Midi Files” link in the menu. Then, you’ll want to choose from the links in the right-hand sidebar, where you’ll see rock, dance, classical, Broadway, Motown, and other categories.

Once you’ve clicked on a category, you’ll see that the MIDI files are organized alphabetically by artist or band name. Navigating to this point can be kind of confusing, but once you’re here, you’ll find the site quite easy to use.

Each song has its own page where you can listen to the MIDI file before downloading it. They even give you the ability to download files in MP3 and MIDI formats.

Best MIDI Files On Partners In Rhyme

Here are some of the MIDI files you can find on Partners In Rhyme from a few different genres:

MidisFree.com

MidisFree.com is another generic looking MIDI file site. That said, it looks like it still gets maintained, and they are even accepting MIDI file submissions.

Their MIDI file library is significant, with nearly 100,000 files. Alphanumerical browsing is available, which is quite helpful while working your way through their archives. They also have a convenient search bar.

Each MIDI file has a page of its own with links to related MIDI files on it. You’ll need to wait approximately 14 seconds before a download button appears on any page though. People have got to make money somehow.

Aside from that, there’s not a whole lot to this site. Just a convenient place to get your MIDI file fix.

Best MIDI Files On MidisFree.com

The following are the top downloads on MidisFree.com:

MIDIWORLD.COM

MIDIWORLD.COM is decent so far as MIDI file sites are concerned. It’s a basic website with a design circa early 2000s. From the looks of it, it started in 1995 and hasn’t been updated much since 2009. For better or for worse, MIDI sites tend to be kind of like that.

Anyway, on MIDIWORLD.COM you can find MIDI files in the following genres – classic (we assume they mean classical), pop, rock, rap, dance, punk, blues, country, movie themes, TV themes, Christmas carols, video game themes, Disney themes, national anthems, jazz, and hip-hop. A solid collection, all told.

You can browse these MIDI files alphabetically, as well as via genre, top artists/composers (these download links seem to be broken, sadly), and tags. They’ve got a convenient search bar as well.

Although MIDIWORLD.COM also has a forum, it doesn’t look like anyone has posted in there since 2007, so we doubt you’re going to be able to get any support there (just so you know!).

Overall, MIDIWORLD.COM is kind of an all-in-one MIDI file site, and does not cater to a specific niche. But obviously it was valuable enough for someone to keep it online. Their archive is substantial, and you just never know where you might stumble upon exactly what you’re looking for.

So, this one might be worth adding to your bookmarks or “watch” list.

Best MIDI Files On MIDIWORLD.COM

There isn’t a ranking system on MIDIWORLD.com, so we went and chose a few files from different genres for this section. To get access please search them on the site.

• Ave Maria
• More Than Words
• Country Grammar
• Hawaii 50
• Goldeneye 007

MIDI DB

MIDI DB is quite possibly one of the cheesiest sites we’ve seen. But beggars can’t be choosers, and while MIDI file seekers aren’t necessarily beggars, there are only so many sites for choosers. Better take what you can get.

MIDI DB is basic but useful. From the homepage, you can browse for files using the search bar or have a look at the popular or latest free MIDIs. That’s about it.

Fortunately, there is a link to search by genre. Now, the genre list is kind of all over the place and a little niche (AFL football, Celtic, Greek, Jewish, Medleys, and so forth), but to be fair that could help you narrow down your search.

Although we don’t have precise numbers as to how many MIDI files are available on MIDI DB, their library is at least in the hundreds, and possibly closer to the thousands.

Each MIDI file has its own page along with a listen button, so that’s something they got right.

We are somewhat impressed with the quality of MIDIs available at MIDI DB, and while it probably depends on the song, the ones we’ve listened to would be good enough for karaoke.

Best MIDI Files On MIDI DB

Here are some of the most popular MIDIs on MIDI DB:

Metal MIDI

Metal MIDI is a niche MIDI file site, of which there are a few. As you probably guessed from the name, Metal MIDI has specifically curated MIDI files emulating metal bands and their songs.

With animated GIFs and a link to a “guestbook” (I don’t even remember seeing that after the 90s), Metal MIDI is kind of old school, and it’s possible it hasn’t even been updated since 2010. That said, we can’t say they’re unique in that regard.

On their site, you can download MIDIs for Black Sabbath, Carcass, Children of Bodom, Cradle of Filth, Iron Maiden (actually, this takes you to a site dedicated to Iron Maiden MIDIs), Judas Priest, Megadeth, Metallica (there’s a separate site for Metallica too), Old Man’s Child, Overkill, Ozzy Osbourne, Pantera, Speultura, Slayer, and Type O Negative. So, I suppose you could say they’ve got “mainstream” metal bands covered.

There is no flare to the site, and there are no listen buttons. All the links go straight to download (at least the links still work!).

But if you’re looking for metal MIDIs, you can find what you’re looking for relatively quickly at Metal MIDI. To that extent, it has some utility.

Best MIDI Files On Metal MIDI

We’ve chosen a few MIDIs from different bands. Here they are (search them on Metal MIDI for access):

• Black Sabbath – N.I.B.
• Judas Priest – You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’
• Megadeth – Hangar 18
• Ozzy Osbourne – Mr. Crowley
• Pantera – Cowboys From Hell

What Are MIDI Files For?

Although MIDI files clearly aren’t trendy these days (while MIDI chord progression and melody libraries are growing in popularity), but that doesn’t mean they don’t have considerable utility.

Here are some of the ways in which you can use MIDI files.

Listening

You can listen to MIDI files for fun, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

It can be quite enjoyable, and some MIDI files are better than others, so picking up on those subtleties and nuances could make you a MIDI authority of sorts.

Cover Songs

Cover songs are a blast to record. That said, unless you’ve got a 100% unique version of the song, starting from scratch can be a bother.

I had a collaborator who wanted to put together a version of “The Sound of Silence” with me, and in this instance, I advised using a MIDI drum track (with a quality drum VST) instead of using a live drummer. The song has certain nuances that can make it tricky for a live drummer and editing or gluing together multiple takes can be time consuming besides.

Our rendition of “The Sound of Silence” ended up coming out nicely, and I even managed to achieve the drum sound my collaborator was looking for with some effects.

Remixes

Now, the remix culture might not be like it was at its height in the 90s and early 00s, but it’s not at all uncommon for DJs and remixers to create their own versions of popular singles.

Many years back, I downloaded video game remixes for my birthday party and ended up putting together a playlist we could listen to while visiting and playing games. I got a lot of comments on that playlist!

If you want to create your own remixes, for popular songs, video game music, or otherwise, MIDI files can offer a starting point on which to build on.

Testing VSTs

So, you’ve got some new VSTs. But messing around with your MIDI controller doesn’t quite give you an idea of what the VST would sound like in a mix and putting together a brand-new track can be quite time consuming. What to do?

Well, you can always download and import MIDI files into your DAW. Most if not all DAWs give you this ability, and it’s quite handy since you can easily change the length and duration of notes, you can add or remove notes, and in some cases, you can even change the key on the fly.

With MIDI files, you can quickly and easily test out your new VSTs and see how they sound without having to compose something new.

Experimentation

As I mentioned in the last section, there’s quite a bit you can do with MIDI files once they’re loaded up in your DAW.

Using this capability, you can explore all kinds of possibilities.

“What would this song sound like if I used this kind of bass line instead?”

“What if I added another layer of synths?”

“Maybe I could mess around with the dynamics and layering a little to achieve a more epic effect.”

Yep. All that and more.

You can even use MIDI files as the starting point for your own song, assuming you make enough modifications to it to make it unique (hint: play with chord progressions, arrangement, dynamics, add a solo section, etc.).

Karaoke

Some MIDI files are good enough for some basic karaoke. It’s certainly not the same experience as singing to professional backing tracks or a live band, but in some cases, it can be a reasonably good experience.

Whether you’re looking to host a karaoke party, or if you’ve got yourself a small karaoke bar, you might find yourself going down the trail into the MIDI file jungle if you’ve got an impromptu party.

Inspiration

Music is simple and yet complex. Some of the most accomplished instrumentalists and musicians don’t merely strum chords, and often throw in fills or add variations to riffs.

MIDI files don’t always offer the same level of detail, but often they can inspire your own approach to the music, or even just give you the “meat and potatoes” version to be able to pick up the song, even if your interpretation is basic.

Top Free Midi Files – Final Thoughts

The resources are out there. It’s just a matter of what you do with them.

MIDI files can put a lot of power in your hands. It’s just a matter of how you look at the situation.

MIDI sites (and even the quality of MIDI files) are a little all over the map, but even that can serve as inspiration, and prompt you to create your own MIDI files.

The point is – experiment lots and have fun!