Free online AIFF to MIDI converter

What the AIFF format is

AIFF, or Audio Interchange File Format, is an Apple-developed container for digital audio. It commonly stores uncompressed PCM data, so it preserves recording quality but usually produces larger files than compressed formats. Logic Pro, GarageBand, Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Audacity, and many audio recorders can create or export AIFF files. AIFF is used for multitrack production, sample libraries, archival masters, and recordings transferred between macOS audio applications.

What the MIDI format is

MIDI is not recorded sound; it is a sequence of performance instructions such as note number, velocity, start time, duration, controller changes, tempo, and instrument assignments. A MIDI file is useful for editing notes in a piano roll, generating notation in MuseScore or similar software, triggering different virtual instruments, and reducing a musical performance to a very small file. Playback depends on the selected synthesizer or sound module, so a MIDI file does not retain the AIFF recording's singer, instrument tone, effects, or room sound.

How to actually convert AIFF to MIDI

Using the online converter

You can convert the file on 101convert.com for free without installing software:

1. Open the AIFF-to-MIDI converter on 101convert.com.
2. Upload the .aiff or .aif file.
3. Start the conversion and download the resulting .mid file.
4. Open the MIDI in a DAW or notation program and correct detected notes, timing, tempo, and instrument assignments.

Using Basic Pitch on a computer

Spotify's open-source Basic Pitch is a practical option for monophonic or moderately polyphonic recordings. Install it with Python and run:

pip install basic-pitch

If the AIFF is not accepted by the installed audio library, convert it to a standard WAV first with FFmpeg:

ffmpeg -i input.aiff -ar 44100 -ac 1 input.wav

Transcribe the WAV file:

basic-pitch midi_output input.wav

Open the generated MIDI from midi_output in a DAW or notation editor. For a single melodic line, set the project tempo to match the recording before quantizing. For chords, drums, or dense mixes, inspect and edit the result manually.

Using a DAW or notation application

Ableton Live can analyze an imported AIFF with Convert Melody to New MIDI Track, Convert Harmony to New MIDI Track, or Convert Drums to New MIDI Track. Melodyne can detect notes and export them through Export → MIDI after correction. Logic Pro users can analyze audio with Flex Pitch and create MIDI from the detected regions. These tools provide visual editing before export and are usually preferable when the recording contains timing changes or multiple instruments.

Quality and limitations

Audio-to-MIDI is transcription, not lossless conversion. It works best with a clean, isolated instrument or vocal line, clear attacks, limited reverberation, and a stable tempo. Mixed songs, distorted sounds, overlapping notes, percussion, vibrato, background noise, and sustained chords can produce extra notes, missed notes, incorrect octaves, or inaccurate note lengths.

Separate stems before transcription when possible. Use a WAV intermediate at the original sample rate rather than repeatedly compressing the audio. Check the detected tempo and downbeat, remove false notes, adjust note starts and durations, and quantize only after preserving intentional timing. The resulting MIDI will use a default or selected instrument and will not sound like the source until an appropriate virtual instrument is assigned.