Convert SIB to MIDI

A Sibelius score may need to drive a synthesizer, open in a DAW, or reach someone without Sibelius. MIDI transfers notes and playback events for those uses, but not the original score's page design.

What the SIB format is

.sib is the native, proprietary score format used by Avid Sibelius notation software. It can store notes, rhythms, instruments, text, articulations, lyrics, layout, playback settings, and other notation information. Composers, arrangers, educators, publishers, and orchestral users commonly exchange SIB files. Renaming .sib to .mid does not convert the file.

What the MIDI format is

.mid and .midi files contain timed events such as note-on and note-off messages, velocity, program changes, controller data, tempo, and time signatures. DAWs, sequencers, keyboards, sound modules, notation applications, and software instruments can read them.

MIDI files are generally small and let the receiving system select its own instruments. They contain no recorded audio and do not preserve Sibelius fonts, page layout, engraving, lyrics formatting, graphical markings, or the exact playback sound. The two extensions represent the same standard file type; changing .mid to .midi is only useful when a particular application requires that suffix.

How to export MIDI from Sibelius

1. Open the .sib file in Avid Sibelius and save a backup copy.
2. Check the instruments, written-versus-sounding pitch, tempo, repeats, playback configuration, muted staves, and unwanted material. Correct these before export because the receiving program will not reconstruct the full Sibelius score.
3. Choose File → Export → MIDI. Depending on the Sibelius version, the command may be labelled File → Export → MIDI File.
4. Choose the available MIDI options. Select Type 1 when separate instrument tracks are needed for DAW editing; use Type 0 only when a single-track file is required.
5. Choose a destination and save the file, for example as score.mid.

Import the exported file into the DAW or sequencer, then assign suitable virtual instruments or external MIDI channels. Check channel assignments, program changes, tempo, dynamics, sustain, and transposing instruments after import.

When Sibelius is unavailable

A native SIB file normally requires Sibelius or a compatible specialist importer; generic file-conversion websites cannot reliably parse it. The practical alternative is to ask the file owner to export MusicXML from Sibelius. Open that MusicXML file in MuseScore, Dorico, or another notation application, then use its File → Export → MIDI command. MusicXML usually preserves notation structure better than MIDI, although its results depend on the applications and versions involved.

For a web-based conversion of the intermediate MusicXML file, Zamzar advertises MusicXML-to-MIDI conversion; verify that its current input list includes the required MusicXML variant before uploading. Do not submit unpublished, confidential, or copyrighted scores to an online service without authorization. No online service should be assumed to support direct .sib conversion unless it explicitly lists the relevant SIB version.

Quality and compatibility limits

MIDI represents a performance sequence rather than an engraved score. Repeats and first or second endings may be exported as played events or handled differently by the destination. Tuplets, ornaments, grace notes, hidden notes, divisi, lyrics, text instructions, and complex playback techniques may be simplified, omitted, or interpreted differently.

Instrument sounds also change because MIDI carries event and program information, not Sibelius sample data. Dynamics may become velocity or controller events, and the destination's sound library determines the result. Verify the imported notes, timing, tempo, transposition, controllers, and track routing. Use MusicXML instead when the main objective is continued notation editing; use MIDI when the objective is triggering instruments or editing notes and timing in a DAW.