# Introduction
This is a collection of MIDI files that were included with various products that were produced by Midisoft Corporation. Midisoft was an early participant in the 1990s multimedia PC software market. Although Midisoft continued developing products into the late 1990s, this collection focuses on files dating no later than 1993. One of the reasons for this specific focus on 1993 and earlier is because later products generally do not contain revised versions of tracks found in earlier releases, suggesting a distinct phase in the company's history.
# History
Midisoft Corporation was one of the earliest companies to develop MIDI sequencing and music education software for Microsoft Windows. Their products were frequently bundled with sound cards and multimedia PCs, making them a common introduction to computer music for many people.
Several files in this archive contain metadata referencing Music Technology Associates (MTA), a consulting company active during the early 1990s that specialized in multimedia-based music education. The exact nature of the relationship between Midisoft and MTA is unclear, however surviving references suggest MTA arranged many of the MIDI sequences that Midisoft included with their earlier products, and Midisoft eventually acquired MTA some time around 1993.
# Playing Back These Files
In the early 1990s, Microsoft's Multimedia PC (MPC) specification defined conventions for arranging MIDI sequences that could simultaneously support multiple classes of playback hardware. These conventions were implemented through Windows MIDI Mapper behavior rather than becoming part of the official MIDI specification. the intent was to allow a single MIDI file to contain arrangements for both high-end and low-end devices, and the Windows 3.1 MIDI Mapper would direct the appropriate channels to the appropriate synthesizer. This standard was short lived, however there are still many MIDI files for this setup floating around over 3 decades after it was introduced, and a good number of files in this archive are no exception. By the mid-1990s, many publishers had begun reissuing their MIDI libraries in standard General MIDI (GM) format, which avoided some notable flaws in the MPC standard.
It is worth noting that the MPC specification predates widespread GM adoption, and was largely superseded once GM became the industry standard. The Roland Sound Canvas SC-55 became one of the most influential early GM devices and is often treated by enthusiasts as a reference implementation.
Under Microsoft's MPC architecture, channels 1 through 10 were routed to an extended-level synthesizer, while channels 13 through 16 were routed to a base-level synthesizer. Channels 11 and 12 were typically unused. Extended-level devices were typically higher-end MIDI modules such as the Roland Sound Canvas SC-55, while base-level devices were typically FM-based synthesizers such as AdLib-compatible sound cards. Extended-level MPC arrangements often map reasonably well to GM devices, but the two standards are not identical. Unlike conventional GM, base-level MIDI used channel 16 for percussion instead of channel 10. A side-effect of this mapping was that if a base-level performance is played back on more conventional GM setups, a melodic instrument such as a piano would be playing parts intended for a drum kit. Although that might be amusing in some cases, it isn't accurate playback.
MPC MIDI files often contain two arrangements in a single file. The intention of the Windows 3.1 MIDI Mapper was to route channels 1 through 10 to an extended-level device, and channels 13 through 16 to a base-level device. While this approach could theoretically simplify compatibility, it also created problems when the files were played on more traditional setups. In some rare cases such as some of the files in this collection, arrangers would produce two versions of their files, one for extended-level and another for base-level. In such cases, I recommend sticking with the extended arrangements for most applications. The base-level arrangements are mostly useful for historical interest.
Playing MPC files on a more modern or conventional system requires a bit of pre-processing or editing of the MIDI data. I would generally recommend keeping channels 11 through 16 muted for playing these files, as you would get the extended performance which doesn't require any channel remapping. If for whatever reason you want to hear the basic performance, I recommend keeping the data for channels 1 through 10 muted, and remapping channel 16 to channel 10.
## Hardware-based Playback Tips
If you are using a hardware sound module such as a Roland Sound Canvas, I recommend sending a reset system exclusive message before starting playback. The reason for this is because many files don't reset channel parameters at the end of the track, so sending a reset system exclusive message helps avoid glitches such as wrong instruments being used or notes playing out of tune. On Roland-compatible devices, I recommend sending a GS reset before playback, as some tracks use GS instrument banks.
# Archive Sources
The files in this collection were sourced from various BBS archives and shovelware CD collections that I found on [DiskMaster](https://discmaster.textfiles.com). The following notes list the source for each subset, original compression format if relevant, as well as the standard(s) of which the files are arranged for.
The primary archive categories correspond to identifiable Midisoft products and releases. The UncertainProvenance category contains related files whose exact origin cannot be determined with confidence but which are historically relevant to the evolution represented in this collection.
## MultimediaMusicLibrary
* CD Title: MIDI Music Collection.
* Disk Image Filename: MUSIC.iso.
* Sub-directory: MUSICLIB.104.
* Compression: Microsoft SZDD.
* Arrangement: GM and MPC versions of each track.
* Additional Notes: Text files that contain song descriptions and credits are also included. The original file extension for these was MBS, however these were renamed to TXT for convenience.

## MusicMentor
* CD Title: MIDI Music Collection.
* Disk Image Filename: MUSIC.iso.
* Sub-directory: MENTOR/MIDFILES.
* Compression: self-extracting LZH archive (MIDFILES.EXE).
* Arrangement: GM and MPC versions of each track.

## WorldOfMusicSampler
* Collection Title: IBM-WGAM-WBIZ: xtra 0340 - 0349.
* Path to Archive: xtra0340-0349/xtra0347.tar/xtra0347/BSA_MDM.ZIP.
* Compression: Microsoft SZDD.
* Arrangement: GM and base-level MPC versions of each track.

## WorldOfMusicSamplerLE
* CD Title: Sound Explorer Plus.
* Disk Image Filename: SOUNDEXP.BIN.
* Sub-directory: WOMSMPLR.
* Arrangement: MPC.

## MusicMagic
### 1.11
* Collection Title: MeiMei's BBS Prog 30 - 38.
* Path to Archive: prog30-38.zip/PROG_32/MUSICMGC.ZIP.
* Compression: Microsoft SZDD.
* Arrangement: MPC.
* Additional Notes: There is an apparent one-year discontinuity in the file timestamps. It is possible that someone in the distribution chain didn't set the clock on their computer correctly, which wasn't an uncommon occurrence for the era. Then again, it could just be a coincidence.

### 1.12
* CD Title: MIDI Masterpiece.
* Disk Image Filename: MidiMasterpieceMidisoftMusicMagic.iso.
* Sub-directory: DISK1.
* Compression: Microsoft SZDD.
* Arrangement: MPC.
* Additional Notes: This particular subset of files also appears in newer versions of RecordingSession and/or Studio.

### Songbook
* Collection Title: MeiMei's BBS Prog 30 - 38.
* Path to Archive: prog30-38.zip/PROG_35/MUSMNTA*.ZIP.
* Compression: Microsoft SZDD.
* Arrangement: MPC.

### SongbookLE
* CD Title: Sound Explorer Plus.
* Disk Image Filename: SOUNDEXP.BIN.
* Sub-directory: SONGBOOK.
* Arrangement: MPC.

### TandySensation
* CD Title: Tandy Sensation 2.
* Disk Image Filename: Tandy Sensation II System.iso.
* Sub-directory: MUSMAGIC.
* Compression: Microsoft SZDD for all files except SOCKHOP.MID.
* Arrangement: GM.

## RecordingSession
### 1.00
* CD Title: Media PAK: Basic Software Bundle MBP 01.
* Disk Image Filename: Media PAK Basic Software Bundle MBP-01.iso.
* Sub-directory: MIDI.
* Compression: Microsoft SZDD.
* Arrangement: GM.

### 1.07
* Collection Title: Piper's Pit BBS/FTP: ibm 0080 - 0089.
* Path to Archive: ibm0080-0089/ibm0087.tar/ibm0087/RS107NTA.ZIP.
* Arrangement: MPC.

### 1.07_Demo
* CD Title: Stars of Shareware: Font & Sound.
* Disk Image Filename: SOS-FONT_SOUND.ISO.
* Path to Archive: ARCHIV/MIDISOFT.ZIP.
* Arrangement: MPC.
* Additional Notes: The underscore at the start of the filenames was in the originals.

### 1.07_Pro
* CD Title: Professional Soft Collection 6.
* Disk Image Filename: Professional Soft Collection - Multimedia CD6.0.iso.
* Sub-directory: MIDISHOP/DISK6/MUS/SSN.
* Arrangement: mix of GM and MPC files.

### 1.10
* CD Title: MIDI Music Collection.
* Disk Image Filename: MUSIC.iso.
* Sub-directory: RSESSION.110.
* Compression: Microsoft SZDD.
* Arrangement: MPC.

### 1.11
* CD Title: MIDI Music Collection.
* Disk Image Filename: MUSIC.iso.
* Sub-directory: MENTOR/SESSION.
* Arrangement: GM.

## Studio
### 3.01
* Collection Title: MeiMei's BBS Prog 30 - 38.
* Path to Archive: prog30-38.zip/PROG_36/MIDISFT*.ZIP.
* Arrangement: GM.

### 3.09
* CD Title: Professional Soft Collection 6.
* Disk Image Filename: Professional Soft Collection - Multimedia CD6.0.iso.
* Sub-directory: STUDIO.
* Compression: Microsoft SZDD.
* Arrangement: GM.
* Additional Notes: This particular subset of files also appears in various other bundles of RecordingSession and/or Studio.

### 3.10
* CD Title: MIDI Music Collection.
* Disk Image Filename: MUSIC.iso.
* Sub-directory: STUDIO.310.
* Compression: Microsoft SZDD.
* Arrangement: MPC.

### 3.10_DealerDemo
* Collection Title: Piper's Pit BBS/FTP: ibm 0150 - 0159.
* Path to Archive: ibm0150-0159/ibm0153.tar/ibm0153/BC_MSTUD.ZIP.
* Compression: Microsoft SZDD.
* Arrangement: GM and base-level MPC versions of each track.

## UncertainProvenance
The true origins of most files in this category cannot be determined with confidence, so the listed origins should be considered rough hypotheses rather than definitive attributions.
### December92
#### A_BRIDGE.MID
* Collection Title: Piper's Pit BBS/FTP: ibm 0110 - 0119.
* Path to Archive: ibm0110-0119/ibm0114.tar/ibm0114/GENMID.ZIP.
* Arrangement: GM.
* Reason For Inclusion: This version of the file is a bit smaller than other versions in this collection. The ZIP archive in which this was found also contains MIDI files taken from official Midisoft releases, so it is possible that this version of the file is from a release of RecordingSession and/or Studio from late 1992.

#### ROCKNOUT.MID
* CD Title: PCMania 15.
* Disk Image Filename: PCMania CD 15 mas disquetes.nrg.
* Sub-directory: AUDIO.
* Arrangement: GM.
* Reason For Inclusion: It is possible that this version of ROCKNOUT.MID is from a release of RecordingSession and/or Studio from late 1992. Interestingly, the track names in this version of the file are stored as actual track names and not generic text events.

### GUS
* CD Title: Action pur!.
* Disk Image Filename: ACTPUR_201.ISO.
* Path to Archive: ZIP/12502.ZIP/GUSMID.ZIP.
* Arrangement: GM.
* Reason For Inclusion: These are arrangements commonly attributed to the Gravis Ultrasound sound cards, although their true origin remains a mystery.
* Additional Notes:
  * The edit of STRIVING.MID in this subset is a little strange. It abruptly cuts off the piano before the key change that Segways into the final section of the song, and the last set of piano notes are never turned off. This may result in hanging notes on some synthesizers.
  * The version of A_BRIDGE.MID in this subset has slightly different drum arrangement compared to other versions in this collection.
  * WOWMAN.MID appears to be an alternate arrangement of what is also known as JAZZVIBE.MID. This arrangement has a slightly slower tempo, and the instrumentation is more involved. According to the file timestamp, it appears to have been modified on the same day as the version of STRIVING.MID that is in this subset.

### HSC_CLABS
* CD Title: Vision of Sound, Graphic & Animation 2.
* Disk Archive Filename: vision.zip.
* Sub-directory: vision/HSC/CLABS.
* Arrangement: unknown standard.
* Reason For Inclusion: MOVING.MID appears to be an arrangement of Striving For Glory with an unknown origin. it has a slightly faster tempo than STRIVING.MID, repeats several times for some reason, and the total runtime is approximately 11 minutes.

### HSC_SUNMOON
* CD Title: Vision of Sound, Graphic & Animation 2.
* Disk Archive Filename: vision.zip.
* Sub-directory: vision/HSC/SUNMOON.
* Arrangement: unknown standard.
* Reason For Inclusion: These are obscure versions of Striving For Glory that I picked up in my excavations. Other digital historians might find them useful or at the very least interesting.
* Additional Notes: The copy of STRIVING.MID in this subset appears to be based on the February 1992 edit, as it has the same stuck piano notes problem at the end. It also has odd instrument choices, so I hesitate to classify this arrangement as GM. STR_JON.MID appears to be a larger version of MOVING.MID, and it could possibly be an older version of this arrangement if the timestamp is to be believed.

### July92
* CD Title: The SelectWare System: Windows & OS/2 Conference 1992.
* Disk Image Filename: WIN92F.ISO.
* Sub-directory: OPEN.
* Arrangement: GM.
* Reason For Inclusion: This is another edit of STRIVING.MID from July of 1992.
* Additional Notes: This edit appears to be based on the October 1991 version discussed later in this document, as it doesn't omit the piano from the final section of the song.

### Late93_GM
* CD Title: Multimedia Sound Factory: The Ultimate Sound CD for Your PC.
* Disk Archive Filename: USN 70 Multimedia Sound Factory The Ultimate Sound CD for your PC.zip.
* Sub-directory: MUSIC/MID/*.
* Arrangement: GM.
* Reason For Inclusion: These are standard GM arrangements of sequences found in other subsets. These might be from the same production run as the RecordingSession 1.11 files, as the timestamps and metadata structure are similar.
* Additional Notes: This subset includes the only copy of PARIS.MID in the entire collection. The other version of this arrangement is named CAFE.MID, and can be found in MusicMagic/Songbook.

### RecordingSession_1.07_Demo_FullLengthVersions
* CD Title: Corel ArtShow 3.
* Disk Image Filename: Corel_ArtShow3_1992.bin.
* Sub-directory: ARTSHOW3/MIDI.
* Arrangement: MPC.
* Reason For Inclusion: These are essentially full-length versions of the tracks that are included with the RecordingSession 1.07 Demo, and the timestamps of both sets of files fall on the same day.
* Additional Notes: The timestamps on this subset of files may not actually be entirely accurate, as all of the files that are on the disk they were sourced from share the same timestamp.

### RecordingSession_1.07_NewerVersions
* CD Title: MIDI & Wave Workshop.
* Disk Image Filename: Midi and Wave Workshop (Powersource, Inc.).ISO.
* Sub-directory: MID.
* Arrangement: MPC.
* Reason For Inclusion: These appear to be larger versions of many of the files that are included with RecordingSession 1.07. They could possibly have been taken from a version of RecordingSession that was released after 1.07 and before 1.10.
* Additional Notes: Unlike the older versions of these files, the track names are stored as generic text events and not as actual track names.

### TurtleBeach (includes oldest known version of STRIVING.MID)
* Collection Title: MeiMei's BBS Prog 104 - 108.
* Path to Archive: prog104_108.zip/prog104_108/PROG_107/TTOOL1_4.ZIP.
* Arrangement: GM.
* Reason For Inclusion: Striving For Glory is a well known track among retro MIDI enthusiasts. This file is the oldest arrangement I could find, as it is from October 1991. The version that is commonly known is from February 1992, and can be found in the GUS category.
* Additional Notes: I found this early version of STRIVING.MID included with an obscure TurtleBeach sound card driver. In order to extract the file with its timestamp preserved, I had to run the installer in a Windows XP virtual machine. Although the installer included other files, they are duplicates of files in other subsets, timestamps and all. Specifically, the installer also includes most of the files from the Studio 3.09 subset, as well as the GM arrangements from WorldOfMusicSampler.

### WorldOfMusicSampler_OlderFiles
* Collection Title: MeiMei's BBS Prog 11 - 20.
* Path to Archive: prog11-20.zip/PROG_11/WRLDMUS*.ZIP.
* Arrangement: GM and base-level MPC versions of each track.
* Reason For Inclusion: These files are slightly larger than the newer versions that are more commonly found. They don't appear to be any different musically though.
* Additional Notes: Unlike the newer versions of these files, the track names are stored as generic text events and not as actual track names.

# Archiving Methodology
## File Naming Conventions
The files in this archive have their original filenames. Filenames starting with GM are General MIDI arrangements, filenames starting with DI (short for Device Independent) are MPC arrangements, and filenames starting with FM are base-level MPC arrangements.
## Duplicates and Alternate Arrangements
A common trend throughout this archive is different arrangements of the same tracks appearing in multiple places. These arrangements differ from each other in several ways, including file size, length, instrumentation, volume and pan settings, and so on. To make things even more confusing, there are different versions of the same tracks with totally different filenames. In some cases, it appears Midisoft reused the exact same files in multiple product releases, so there are many byte-for-byte identical files in different locations.
While analyzing the files to check for exact duplicates, I discovered a couple discrepancies in the MultimediaMusicLibrary and WorldOfMusicSampler files. It appears that FMSALSA.MID is an exact copy of FMHALF.MID in WorldOfMusicSampler, and this discrepancy also appears in the older versions of the files. Similarly, DIRESET.MID appears to be a copy of GMRESET.MID in MultimediaMusicLibrary, and the proper version of DIRESET.MID can be found in MusicMentor. These were most likely mistakes that went unnoticed while the files were being prepped for release.
## Timestamps
Original file timestamps have been preserved. In several cases, file timestamps provide the only surviving evidence for establishing the relative chronology of different software distributions and arrangement revisions. However, timestamps should not be considered definitive proof of creation dates, as many files were redistributed through BBS systems and shareware collections where system clocks were frequently misconfigured.
## Compression
7-Zip was used for file decompression, and thankfully no corrupted archives were encountered. The files compressed in the Microsoft SZDD format were bulk-renamed after extraction, as the extracted files either didn't have the last character of the file extension, or had no file extension at all.
For a bit of context, many developers in the early to mid-1990s would compress individual files to save space on installation media. This was especially important for installers stored on floppy disks, as file compression would result in fewer disks being needed to install larger programs. Microsoft developed the SZDD compression format for software distribution in the DOS and early Windows era. Files compressed in this format typically had the last character of the file extension replaced with an underscore. This wasn't always strictly the case though, as some of the compressed files encountered throughout this project had the underscore replaced with the last character of the actual file extension.
# Copyright Disclaimer
These files are being distributed for historical, research, and archival purposes only. Their inclusion in this archive does not imply that they are in the public domain, nor does it alter any existing copyright ownership. Although composition and/or sequencing credits aren't well documented, all compositions and sequences are the property of their respective owners.
