Version 0.08 ß
Last update : 09/25/00

Rich MIDI Tablature format - RMTF

Introduction

Actually, there are 2 ways to import tablatures in our editors:

from ASCII files: give good fingering, with the right strings, but make us loose many effects information and most of the rhythm information
from MIDI sequences: give right rhythm, but with poor fingering (must be computed) and no effects

The goal of the Rich MIDI Tablature format is to combine these 2 ways. The format is based on the use of meta events. By adding to the rhythm information of MIDI files the information of fingering and effects with meta events, all the main tablature information is kept when exporting and importing MIDI sequences.
Furthermore, the code necessary to manage this format is very simple to add.

If most of the tablature editor make use of this simple format, it will be very easy to create a really big and complete tablature archive of MIDI files, compatible with all tablature editor.

As this format description is a ß version, it is not yet complete. So don't hesitate to send me your ideas and comments!

Softwares supporting the Rich MIDI Tablature format

Rich MIDI Tablature format description

TABLATURE INSTRUMENT META EVENT

In each MIDI guitar track, one tablature instrument, at the start of the track, including:

Byte	Hex data	Description
1	`0xFF`
2	`0x10`
3		Data length number of strings +2 (VLQ)
4		Track or channel. For MIDI type 0 files, number of the track starting at 0x01, ending at 0x10 (0x00 reserved). For MIDI type 1 files, number of the track starting at 0x01 (0x00 is for the first master track, which in fact contains no instrumental data)
5		Capodastre position
6 and next		MIDI Note of open strings, from higher to lower

TABLATURE NOTE META EVENT

For each NOTE ON event, a tablature note, including:

Byte	Hex data	Description
1	`0xFF`
2	`0x11`
3		Data length (VLQ) 1: only string number information 2: string number + effect number information >2: string number + effect number + effect data information
4		String number 0=higher; increase to lower
5		Effect number » Effects Table
6 and next		Effect specific data

TABLATURE CHORD DIAGRAM META EVENT

For each chord diagram:

Byte	Hex data	Description
1	`0xFF`
2	`0x12`
3		Data length (VLQ) number of strings: only chord diagram number of strings + x: chord diagram + chord name with lenght == x
4 to 4 + number of strings		Chord diagram : fret number for each string (0 for open string, 255 for unpicked string), higher to lower string
5 + number of strings and next		Chord name data

Notes

VLQ = Variable Length Quantity, i.e. 7 bit numbers
Assume that the number of frets of the instrument is at least equal to the higher fret played on the instrument.
A NOTE ON MIDI event must strictly follow the TABLATURE NOTE meta event. Assume that the channel or track number of this meta event is the same as the following NOTE ON.
At exportation: effect information of a tablature note definition of a NOTE ON event MUST be followed by the classical MIDI effect events (pitch wheel change...)
At importation: we should only consider the effect information of tablature note definition of the NOTE ON event, instead of recomputing the effect from MIDI effect events
What should not be exported:
- sequence structure (repeats, jumps...); instead, give to the MIDI file the shape of the tablature structure
- graphics
What should be exported as classical MIDI events:
- texts
- key signature
- time signature
- tempo

Effects Table

Simple effects form 0x00 to 0x0F.

Type	Hex data	Specific data
(none)	`0x00`
Hammer-on	`0x01`
Pull-off	`0x02`
Slide up	`0x03`
Slide down	`0x04`
Brush	`0x05`
Roll (Arpeggio)	`0x06`
Natural harmonic	`0x07`
Artificial harmonic	`0x08`
Simple vibrato	`0x09`
Simple tremolo	`0x0A`
Simple trill	`0x0B`
Bend	`0x0C`	amplitude in 1/4 tones
Muted	`0x0D`
Dead note	`0x0E`
Tap	`0x0F`
Bend up and down	`0x10`	1/4 tones between first note and bended note, between bended note and returned note
Return bend	`0x11`	1/4 tones to the returned note
Bend down (pre-bend and release)	`0x12`	1/4 tones to the down note
Down stroke	`0x13`
Up stroke	`0x14`
Slap	`0x15`
Pop	`0x16`
Whammy bar	`0x17`	depth; speed (relative to tempo?)
Vibrato	`0x18`	depth; speed (relative to tempo?)
Tremolo	`0x19`	depth; speed (relative to tempo?)
Trill	`0x1A`	number of trills (rhythm of trills?)

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