TMIDI

Composition is not dead.

TMIDI is a plain-text music composition language that compiles to MIDI.

Instead of drawing notes in a piano roll, music is written as text. Tracks, chords, melodies, drums, sections, and arrangements can be assembled in simple .tmidi files and compiled into standard MIDI files for use in Ableton, Logic, FL Studio, Reaper, Bitwig, Cubase, or any DAW that supports MIDI.

The goal is not to replace your DAW.

The goal is to make composition portable, readable, versionable, and easy to generate.

Why TMIDI?

Most music software focuses on editing notes visually.

TMIDI approaches composition from the opposite direction:

Music is readable
Music is version controlled
Music is easy to diff
Music is AI-friendly
Music is easy to generate
Music is easy to review

track: pad step:1/1

| Cmaj7 | Am7 | Fmaj7 | G7 |

A few lines of text become a complete MIDI arrangement.

Features

Composition

Plain text notation
Multiple tracks
Notes
Chords
Explicit voicings
Voice leading
Slash chords
Repeats
Sections
Song arrangements

Rhythm

Independent track resolutions
Long pad chords
Fast melodies
Drum programming
Velocity shorthand

MIDI

MIDI export
MIDI inspection
Human-readable MIDI output

Installation

Pull the repo and install dependencies:

npm install

Getting started

The easiest way to get started is probably casting your eye over the example file provided, learn the notation, run the commands below to convert it to midi.

Full example here

One you have a midi file, drag it into the daw of your choice. Add instruments to each track. Have fun.

You can listen to the track composed with the example midi here)

Don't judge the music it's just a demo 😀

Command Guide

Build a MIDI file

npm run dev -- build song.tmidi -o song.mid

Example:

npm run dev -- build examples/basic.tmidi -o basic.mid

Inspect a MIDI file

npm run dev -- inspect song.mid

Example output:

Tempo: 120
Tracks: 1

Track 1: pad
  time=0.000s dur=2.000s  C4:90 E4:90 G4:90

Visualise a TMIDI file

npm run dev -- visualise examples/example.tmidi

This prints a console timeline of each track with colors and step markers.

Typical Workflow

Write:

tempo: 120
grid: 1/16

track: pad step:1/1
| C | Am | F | G |

Build:

npm run dev -- build song.tmidi -o song.mid

Inspect:

npm run dev -- inspect song.mid

Import into your DAW.

Language Reference

Tempo

tempo: 120

Grid

Defines the base timing resolution.

grid: 1/16

Examples:

grid: 1/4
grid: 1/8
grid: 1/16
grid: 1/32

Time Signature

time: 4/4

Examples:

time: 4/4
time: 3/4
time: 6/8

Tracks

Tracks contain musical events.

track: piano

Tracks may define their own step resolution.

track: pad step:1/1
track: melody step:1/16

This allows:

Long sustained pads
Fast melodies
Detailed drum programming

within the same composition.

Notes

Individual notes:

| C4 | D4 | E4 | F4 |

Accidentals:

| F#4 | Bb4 |

Chords

Root-position chord symbols:

| C | Am | F | G |

Supported examples:

C
Cm

C7
Cm7
Cmaj7

Csus2
Csus4

Cdim
Caug

Cadd9

Explicit Voicings

You dont have to use chord names, you can build your own chords with exact notes:

| [C4 E4 G4] |

or

| (C4 E4 G4) |

Voice Leading

TMIDI automatically attempts to choose nearby voicings.

| C | Dm | Em | F |

Instead of jumping around the keyboard, chords are voiced to minimize movement.

Slash Chords

Specify a bass note.

| C/E | G/B | Am/C |

Examples:

C/E

C major with E in the bass.

G/B

G major with B in the bass.

Repeats

Repeat a pattern.

| C | Am | F | G | *4

Equivalent to writing the progression four times.

Drums

Drums are typically represented using separate tracks.

track: kick step:1/16 note:C1
track: snare step:1/16 note:C1
track: hat step:1/16 note:C1

Example:

track: kick step:1/16 note:C1
| X | - | - | - | X | - | - | - |

Velocity Shorthand

Drum tracks have a velocity short hand X | x | !

Ghost note:

Velocity:

Normal hit:

Velocity:

Accent:

Velocity:

Example:

| X | x | X | ! |

Sections

Group musical ideas together.

section: verse

track: pad step:1/1
| C | Am | F | G |

section: chorus

track: pad step:1/1
| F | G | Em | Am |

If no arrangement is defined, sections are played in the order they appear.

Arrangements

Arrange sections into complete songs.

play: verse verse chorus verse

Example:

section: verse

track: pad step:1/1
| C | Am | F | G |

section: chorus

track: pad step:1/1
| F | G | Em | Am |

play: verse verse chorus verse

Complete Example

tempo: 92
grid: 1/16
time: 4/4

section: intro_a

track: rhodes step:1/1
| [D3 F#3 A3 C#4] | [C#3 E3 A3 C#4] | [B2 D3 F#3 A3] | [G2 B2 D3 F#3] |
| [D3 F#3 A3 C#4] | [C#3 E3 A3 C#4] | [E3 G3 B3 D4] | [G2 B2 D3 F#3] |

track: guitar_swells step:1/1
| A4 | A4 | A4 | G4 |
| F#4 | E4 | G4 | F#4 |

track: strings_high step:1/1
| [A4 F#4] | [A4 F#4 E4] | [A4 F#4 D4] | [G4 D4 B3] |
| [A4 F#4] | [A4 E4] | [B4 G4] | [F#4 D4] |

section: intro_b

track: rhodes step:1/1
| [D3 F#3 A3 C#4] | [C#3 E3 A3 C#4] | [B2 D3 F#3 A3] | [G2 B2 D3 F#3] |
| [D3 F#3 A3 C#4] | [C#3 E3 A3 C#4] | [E3 G3 B3 D4] | [G2 B2 D3 F#3] |

track: felt_piano step:1/8
| F#4 | - | A4 | - |
| B4 | - | A4 | - |
| E4 | - | F#4 | - |
| E4 | - | C#4 | - |

| D4 | - | F#4 | - |
| A4 | - | B4 | - |
| G4 | - | A4 | - |
| F#4 | - | E4 | - |

track: bass step:1/4
| D2 | F#2 | A2 | F#2 |
| C#2 | E2 | C#2 | B1 |
| B1 | D2 | F#2 | D2 |
| G1 | B1 | D2 | B1 |

| D2 | F#2 | A2 | F#2 |
| C#2 | E2 | C#2 | B1 |
| E2 | G2 | B2 | G2 |
| G1 | B1 | D2 | F#2 |

section: verse_a

track: rhodes step:1/1
| Dmaj7 | A/C# | Bm7 | Gmaj7 |
| Dmaj7 | A/C# | Em7 | Gmaj7 |

track: felt_piano step:1/8
| F#4 | - | A4 | - |
| B4 | - | A4 | - |
| E4 | - | F#4 | - |
| E4 | - | C#4 | - |

| D4 | - | F#4 | - |
| A4 | - | B4 | - |
| G4 | - | A4 | - |
| F#4 | - | E4 | - |

track: melody step:1/8
| F#4 | - | A4 | - |
| B4 | - | A4 | - |
| E4 | - | F#4 | - |
| E4 | - | C#4 | - |

| D4 | - | F#4 | - |
| A4 | - | B4 | - |
| G4 | - | A4 | - |
| F#4 | - | E4 | - |

track: bass step:1/4
| D2 | A2 | F#2 | A2 |
| C#2 | G#2 | E2 | C#2 |
| B1 | F#2 | D2 | F#2 |
| G1 | D2 | B1 | D2 |

| D2 | A2 | F#2 | A2 |
| C#2 | G#2 | E2 | C#2 |
| E2 | B2 | G2 | B2 |
| G1 | D2 | B1 | D2 |

track: kick step:1/16 note:C1
| X | - | - | - | - | - | X | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | X | - | *8

track: snare step:1/16 note:D1
| - | - | - | - | X | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | X | - | - | - | *8

track: hat_closed step:1/16 note:F#1
| X | - | x | - | X | - | x | - | X | - | x | - | X | - | x | - | *8

section: verse_b

track: rhodes step:1/1
| Dmaj7 | A/C# | Bm7 | Gmaj7 |
| Dmaj7 | A/C# | Em7 | Gmaj7 |

track: felt_piano step:1/8
| F#4 | - | A4 | B4 |
| A4 | - | F#4 | E4 |
| D4 | - | F#4 | A4 |
| B4 | - | A4 | F#4 |

| F#4 | - | A4 | D5 |
| C#5 | - | A4 | F#4 |
| G4 | - | B4 | A4 |
| F#4 | - | E4 | D4 |

track: melody step:1/8
| F#4 | - | A4 | - |
| B4 | - | D5 | - |
| C#5 | - | B4 | - |
| A4 | - | F#4 | - |

| F#4 | - | A4 | - |
| B4 | - | A4 | - |
| G4 | - | B4 | - |
| A4 | - | F#4 | - |

track: bass step:1/4
| D2 | A2 | F#2 | A2 |
| C#2 | E2 | C#2 | B1 |
| B1 | D2 | F#2 | A2 |
| G1 | A1 | B1 | D2 |

| D2 | A2 | F#2 | A2 |
| C#2 | E2 | G#2 | E2 |
| E2 | G2 | B2 | A2 |
| G1 | B1 | D2 | F#2 |

track: strings_low step:1/1
| D3 | E3 | D3 | B2 |
| D3 | E3 | G3 | D3 |

track: strings_high step:1/1
| A4 | A4 | F#4 | G4 |
| F#4 | E4 | B4 | A4 |

track: kick step:1/16 note:C1
| X | - | - | - | - | - | X | - | X | - | - | - | - | - | X | - | *8

track: snare step:1/16 note:D1
| - | - | - | - | X | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | X | - | - | - | *8

track: hat_closed step:1/16 note:F#1
| X | x | X | x | X | x | X | x | X | x | X | x | X | x | ! | x | *8

section: chorus_a

track: rhodes step:1/1
| Gmaj7 | A | F#m7 | Bm7 |
| Gmaj7 | A | Dmaj7 | [D3 F#3 A3 C#4 E4] |

track: felt_piano step:1/4
| G3 | B3 | D4 | B3 |
| A3 | C#4 | E4 | C#4 |
| F#3 | A3 | C#4 | A3 |
| B3 | D4 | F#4 | D4 |

| G3 | B3 | D4 | B3 |
| A3 | C#4 | E4 | C#4 |
| D4 | F#4 | A4 | F#4 |
| D4 | F#4 | A4 | E5 |

track: melody step:1/8
| B4 | - | D5 | - |
| E5 | - | D5 | - |
| C#5 | - | B4 | - |
| F#4 | - | A4 | - |

| B4 | - | D5 | - |
| E5 | - | F#5 | - |
| E5 | - | D5 | - |
| D5 | - | - | - |

track: bass step:1/4
| G1 | B1 | D2 | B1 |
| A1 | C#2 | E2 | C#2 |
| F#1 | A1 | C#2 | A1 |
| B1 | D2 | F#2 | D2 |

| G1 | B1 | D2 | B1 |
| A1 | C#2 | E2 | C#2 |
| D2 | F#2 | A2 | F#2 |
| D2 | A2 | E3 | A2 |

track: strings_low step:1/1
| D3 | E3 | C#3 | D3 |
| D3 | E3 | F#3 | E3 |

track: strings_high step:1/1
| B4 | C#5 | E5 | F#5 |
| B4 | D5 | A5 | E5 |

track: kick step:1/16 note:C1
| X | - | - | - | - | - | X | - | X | - | - | - | - | - | X | - | *8

track: snare step:1/16 note:D1
| - | - | - | - | X | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | X | - | - | - | *8

track: hat_closed step:1/16 note:F#1
| X | x | X | x | X | x | X | x | X | x | X | x | X | x | ! | x | *8

section: verse_c

track: rhodes step:1/1
| Dmaj7 | A/C# | Bm7 | Gmaj7 |
| Dmaj7 | A/C# | Em7 | Gmaj7 |

track: melody step:1/8
| F#4 | - | A4 | - |
| B4 | - | A4 | - |
| E4 | - | F#4 | - |
| E4 | - | C#4 | - |

| D4 | - | F#4 | - |
| A4 | - | D5 | - |
| C#5 | - | B4 | - |
| A4 | - | F#4 | - |

track: bass step:1/4
| D2 | F#2 | A2 | B2 |
| C#2 | E2 | C#2 | B1 |
| B1 | D2 | F#2 | A2 |
| G1 | D2 | B1 | D2 |

| D2 | F#2 | A2 | F#2 |
| C#2 | E2 | G#2 | E2 |
| E2 | G2 | B2 | D3 |
| G1 | A1 | B1 | D2 |

track: strings_high step:1/1
| A4 | A4 | A4 | G4 |
| F#4 | E4 | B4 | A4 |

track: kick step:1/16 note:C1
| X | - | - | - | - | - | X | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | X | - | *8

track: snare step:1/16 note:D1
| - | - | - | - | X | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | X | - | - | - | *8

track: hat_closed step:1/16 note:F#1
| X | - | x | - | X | - | x | - | X | - | x | - | X | - | x | - | *8

section: bridge

track: rhodes step:1/1
| Bm7 | Bm7/A | Gmaj7 | D/F# |
| [E3 G3 B3 F#4] | [A2 D3 E3 G3] | Dmaj7 | [D3 F#3 A3 C#4 E4] |

track: bass step:1/1
| B1 | A1 | G1 | F#1 |
| E1 | A1 | D1 | D1 |

track: felt_piano step:1/8
| F#4 | - | A4 | - |
| B4 | - | A4 | - |
| F#4 | - | A4 | - |
| B4 | - | A4 | - |

| G4 | - | B4 | - |
| A4 | - | G4 | - |
| F#4 | - | A4 | - |
| C#5 | - | E5 | - |

track: strings_low step:1/1
| B2 | A2 | G2 | F#2 |
| E2 | A2 | D2 | D2 |

track: strings_high step:1/4
| F#4 | A4 | B4 | A4 |
| F#4 | A4 | B4 | A4 |
| G4 | B4 | D5 | B4 |
| F#4 | A4 | D5 | A4 |

| G4 | B4 | F#5 | E5 |
| A4 | G4 | E4 | D4 |
| F#4 | A4 | C#5 | A4 |
| C#5 | E5 | A5 | E5 |

track: floor_tom step:1/16 note:F1
| X | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | x | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | *8

track: snare step:1/16 note:D1
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | x | - | - | - | *8

track: ride step:1/16 note:A#1
| X | - | x | - | X | - | x | - | X | - | x | - | X | - | ! | - | *8

section: final_chorus_a

track: rhodes step:1/1
| Gmaj7 | A | F#m7 | Bm7 |
| Gmaj7 | A | Dmaj7 | [D3 F#3 A3 C#4 E4] |

track: felt_piano step:1/4
| G3 | B3 | D4 | B3 |
| A3 | C#4 | E4 | C#4 |
| F#3 | A3 | C#4 | A3 |
| B3 | D4 | F#4 | D4 |

| G3 | B3 | D4 | B3 |
| A3 | C#4 | E4 | C#4 |
| D4 | F#4 | A4 | C#5 |
| E4 | F#4 | A4 | C#5 |

track: melody step:1/8
| B4 | - | D5 | - |
| E5 | - | D5 | - |
| C#5 | - | B4 | - |
| F#4 | - | A4 | - |

| B4 | - | D5 | - |
| E5 | - | F#5 | - |
| A5 | - | E5 | - |
| D5 | - | - | - |

track: bass step:1/4
| G1 | B1 | D2 | B1 |
| A1 | C#2 | E2 | C#2 |
| F#1 | A1 | C#2 | A1 |
| B1 | D2 | F#2 | D2 |

| G1 | B1 | D2 | B1 |
| A1 | C#2 | E2 | C#2 |
| D2 | F#2 | A2 | F#2 |
| D2 | A2 | E3 | A2 |

track: strings_low step:1/1
| D3 | E3 | C#3 | D3 |
| D3 | E3 | F#3 | E3 |

track: strings_high step:1/4
| B4 | C#5 | E5 | F#5 |
| C#5 | E5 | F#5 | A5 |
| A5 | B5 | A5 | F#5 |
| E5 | F#5 | A5 | F#5 |

| B4 | D5 | F#5 | A5 |
| C#5 | E5 | F#5 | A5 |
| A5 | B5 | C#6 | A5 |
| E5 | F#5 | A5 | C#6 |

track: kick step:1/16 note:C1
| X | - | - | - | - | - | X | - | X | - | - | - | - | - | X | - | *8

track: snare step:1/16 note:D1
| - | - | - | - | X | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | X | - | - | - | *8

track: hat_closed step:1/16 note:F#1
| X | x | X | x | X | x | X | x | X | x | X | x | X | x | ! | x | *8

section: final_chorus_b

track: rhodes step:1/1
| Gmaj7 | A | F#m7 | Bm7 |
| Gmaj7 | A | [D3 F#3 A3 C#4 E4] | [D3 F#3 A3 C#4 E4] |

track: melody step:1/8
| B4 | - | D5 | - |
| E5 | - | D5 | - |
| C#5 | - | B4 | - |
| F#4 | - | A4 | - |

| B4 | - | D5 | - |
| E5 | - | F#5 | - |
| A5 | - | E5 | - |
| D5 | - | - | - |

track: bass step:1/4
| G1 | B1 | D2 | B1 |
| A1 | C#2 | E2 | C#2 |
| F#1 | A1 | C#2 | A1 |
| B1 | D2 | F#2 | D2 |

| G1 | B1 | D2 | B1 |
| A1 | C#2 | E2 | C#2 |
| D2 | F#2 | A2 | F#2 |
| D2 | A2 | E3 | A2 |

track: strings_high step:1/4
| B4 | C#5 | E5 | F#5 |
| C#5 | E5 | F#5 | A5 |
| A5 | B5 | A5 | F#5 |
| E5 | F#5 | A5 | F#5 |

| B4 | D5 | F#5 | A5 |
| C#5 | E5 | F#5 | A5 |
| A5 | B5 | C#6 | E6 |
| E6 | - | - | - |

track: kick step:1/16 note:C1
| X | - | - | - | - | - | X | - | X | - | - | - | - | - | X | - | *8

track: snare step:1/16 note:D1
| - | - | - | - | X | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | X | - | - | - | *8

track: hat_closed step:1/16 note:F#1
| X | x | X | x | X | x | X | x | X | x | X | x | X | x | ! | x | *8

section: outro_a

track: rhodes step:1/1
| [D3 F#3 A3 C#4 E4] | [D3 F#3 A3 C#4 E4] | [D3 F#3 A3 C#4 E4] | [D3 F#3 A3 C#4 E4] |

track: bass step:1/1
| D1 | D1 | D1 | D1 |

track: strings_low step:1/1
| D3 | D3 | D3 | D3 |

track: strings_high step:1/4
| A4 | B4 | C#5 | E5 |
| E5 | D5 | C#5 | A4 |
| A4 | B4 | C#5 | E5 |
| E5 | - | - | - |

track: ride step:1/16 note:A#1
| X | - | x | - | X | - | x | - | X | - | x | - | X | - | x | - |
| X | - | x | - | X | - | x | - | X | - | x | - | X | - | x | - |
| X | - | - | - | x | - | - | - | X | - | - | - | x | - | - | - |
| X | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |

section: outro_b

track: rhodes step:1/1
| [D3 F#3 A3 C#4 E4] | [D3 F#3 A3 C#4 E4] | [D3 F#3 A3 C#4 E4] | [D3 F#3 A3 C#4 E4] |

track: strings_high step:1/4
| A4 | B4 | C#5 | E5 |
| E5 | D5 | C#5 | A4 |
| A4 | B4 | C#5 | E5 |
| E5 | - | - | - |

play: intro_a intro_b verse_a verse_b chorus_a verse_c bridge final_chorus_a final_chorus_b outro_a outro_b

Roadmap

Planned features:

Swing
Humanization
MIDI → TMIDI conversion
Arpeggiators
Generative patterns
Degree-based harmony (I–V–vi–IV)
Automation and CC support

Philosophy

TMIDI is intentionally simple.

Music should be readable.

Music should be version controlled.

Music should be generated by humans and machines.

Composition is not dead.

Name		Name	Last commit message	Last commit date
assets		assets
examples		examples
final		final
midi		midi
node_modules		node_modules
src		src
.DS_Store		.DS_Store
.gitignore		.gitignore
LICENSE		LICENSE
README.md		README.md
package-lock.json		package-lock.json
package.json		package.json
tsconfig.json		tsconfig.json

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TMIDI

Why TMIDI?

Features

Composition

Rhythm

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Getting started

Command Guide

Build a MIDI file

Inspect a MIDI file

Visualise a TMIDI file

Typical Workflow

Language Reference

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TMIDI

Why TMIDI?

Features

Composition

Rhythm

MIDI

Installation

Getting started

Command Guide

Build a MIDI file

Inspect a MIDI file

Visualise a TMIDI file

Typical Workflow

Language Reference

Tempo

Grid

Time Signature

Tracks

Notes

Chords

Explicit Voicings

Voice Leading

Slash Chords

Repeats

Drums

Velocity Shorthand

Sections

Arrangements

Complete Example

Roadmap

Philosophy

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