MIDI to PICO-8

This tool translates MIDI files into PICO-8 music tracker format, enabling users to import existing MIDI compositions into the PICO-8 fantasy console. It handles the fundamental differences between MIDI's event-based format and PICO-8's pattern-based tracker, making it easier to create music for PICO-8 games.

Key Features

• MIDI to SFX Translation — Converts MIDI tracks into PICO-8's SFX (sound effect) and pattern system.
• Track Mapping — Dynamically maps up to 4 active MIDI tracks to PICO-8 channels at any time, switching based on silence.
• Quantization & Octave Fixing — Automatically quantizes note lengths and adjusts octaves to fit PICO-8's range, with options to disable these.
• Parameter Customization — Offers extensive flags for legato/staccato effects, waveform assignment, volume shifts, track muting, and offsets.
• Silence Trimming & Compaction — Trims leading silence and can compact repeated notes to save SFX slots.

Philosophy

The project acknowledges that MIDI and PICO-8 tracker are fundamentally different formats, so it focuses on converting a specific type of well-structured MIDI file reliably rather than attempting perfect universal conversion.