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Gilbert and Sullivan MIDI rehearsal files - Frequently Asked Questions



Question : How do I get my files ?

Answer : Within 24 hours of placing your order, you will receive an e-mail giving you the address (URL) of a web-page from where you can download your files in whatever format you prefer (.zip file, self-extracting .zip file, or .sit file).
Question : I own a Macintosh. How do I get my files?

Answer : You'll be able to download a .sit file which contains the individual MIDI files you've ordered. Once you've downloaded the .sit file, you'll need to 'expand' it. You may have a software application on your Macintosh which will do this. If you haven't, you can download a freeware application for the Mac which is called 'Stuffit Expander', and which will do the trick. You can get it from http://www.stuffit.com/mac/expander/download.html

I recommend keeping this Mac application as it will often come in handy when you need to expand a file after downloading it from the web.
Question : I've downloaded my files, and unzipped them. Where are they on my computer ?

Answer : If you don't know whereabouts on your PC the unzipped MIDI files are, I suggest you "Search" for them by clicking on the "Start" button in the bottom LH corner of your screen, go to "Find", and across to "Files or Folders", and key in *c.mid in the "Named" box.

This will search for all the MIDI files which end in the letter "c" - this will include all the "Piano only" files from the set which you have ordered. When your PC has finished its search, make a note of the "local path" where these files are located - all the other MIDI files from your set should be there too.
Question : I bought some files from you for the show I'm in, and my society have now decided to buy a complete set. Can I have a refund ?

Answer : Yes indeed ! We rather hope that you will "spread the word", and encourage your society to buy a set. As soon as we receive your payment for the complete set (either chorus only, or soloists & chorus), we'll action a refund via PayPal of the payment you have already made.
Question : My computer has crashed, and I have lost the files I bought from you. Can I have a replacement set free of charge ?

Answer : Yes indeed ! Just let us know that you've had a problem ( by e-mail to david@musicalsolutions.com ), and we'll send a replacement set straight away. Please make sure the subject line includes the word MIDI
Question : How can I convert the MIDI files I have bought to .mp3 or .wav files ?

Answer : There are various ways to go about converting the midi files to MP3 format (so that they can be played on an MP3 player), but one of the easiest ways is to convert them using the iTunes program to make the conversion. iTunes is available free (and legal) from
http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
The actual conversion process is straightforward. Essentially, there are 6 steps, as follows:
1. Download and install iTunes. You can choose whether to download iTunes for Mac or Windows.
2. Import the midi file into iTunes by dragging the file into the main iTunes window.
3. Set the conversion settings. Click on "iTunes" in the menu bar ("Edit" menu if using Windows) and then click on "Preferences". Select the "General" tab. Go down and click on "Import Settings". Then on "Import Using", choose "MP3 Encoder". Then save your settings by clicking "OK".
4. Select the midi file you want to convert in the iTunes window.
5. Select "Advanced" in the menu bar and select "Convert Selection to MP3". This may be (say) AAC or WAV depending on what you set in step 5.
6. Now you can copy the file to an MP3 player or to a CD.
Question : I haven't received the files I ordered. What can I do?

Answer : You should have received an e-mail from david@musicalsolutions.com with the subject line "[opera] MIDI files", where [opera] is the name of the opera or operas you bought. This e-mail will have given you details of the URL from where you can download your files. Sometimes, people delete this e-mail by mistake, sometimes it is automatically deleted by enthusiastic anti-spam programs, and sometimes it gets rejected. In any case, you should send an e-mail to us, giving us your telephone contact details. We will then get in touch with you by telephone, and let you know the web-page from where you can perform the download.
Question : What will my files cost in a currency other than my own?

Answer : Here's what PayPal says :

"PayPal provides you with a choice of whether PayPal does the currency conversion or the credit card associations' do the currency conversion for your transactions.

"When PayPal does your currency conversion, it will disclose the conversion rate to you at the time of the transaction. If you choose not to use the MasterCard and Visa currency conversion process, you will have no recourse against MasterCard and Visa with respect to any matter related to the conversion.

"If you choose to use the credit card association's currency conversions, PayPal is not able to disclose the conversion rate to you. Your card issuer will determine the foreign exchange rate to apply to the transaction, and you will not be informed of the foreign exchange rate or any additional foreign exchange fees applied until you are billed by your card issuer.

Question : Since they are MIDI files, can I play them in any sequencer program? Slow down, speed up, whatever? Change the vocal line to violin instead of clarinet?

Answer : The answer is 'yes' to all these. As you know, MIDI files are very flexible, and the files we sell can be 'tailor-made' by you to whatever specification you want. Try it with one of the files on the 'MIDI Samples' page so that you get a feel for what is possible.

Question : How can I play the MIDI files on my iPod?

Answer : It's not difficult, but you must first convert your MIDI file to an audio file, that is, a file with the extension .mp3, .aac, or .aiff. The easiest way to do that is to select the file in iTunes and, from the Advanced menu, choose the 'Convert Selection To' command. iTunes will create an audio file using QuickTime’s synthesizer sounds and the encoder chosen in iTunes’ 'Importing' preference pane (the .aac Encoder is chosen by default).

When you’re done, choose 'File: Export To iTunes' to export the track as an .aiff file. In iTunes, you can leave it as it is, or convert it to .mp3 or .aac before moving it to your iPod.

Question : I'm encountering difficulty making my payment using PayPal. What should I do?

Answer : Very occasionally, the PayPal site will become unavailable. Whilst it doesn't happen very often, it is very frustrating when it does! The best advice is to wait an hour or two, and then try again.

Question : I would rather not use the PayPal system. Is there any other way I can pay?

Answer : We are happy to accept payment by a variety of methods.

(a) If you would prefer to pay by cheque/check or money order, we will happily guide you through the process. Instructions can be found on our Order by normal mail webpage.

(b) We can accept payments directly through the banking system, either by bank giro credit, or by Internet Banking. Please e-mail us, telling us your full name, address, and contact telephone number(s), together with a selection of convenient times for us to call you. We will then be in a position to guide you through the process.

Contact david@musicalsolutions.com if you still have a question. Please make sure the subject line includes the word MIDI or AUDIO