MIDI Type 0 vs Type 1

Type 0 stores events in one track. Type 1 allows multiple synchronous tracks. A track is an event container; a channel identifies a MIDI channel. They are not interchangeable.

Inspect the same performance in two layouts

Download our original Type 0 example and Type 1 example. Open each in the Analyzer & Inspector.

• Both: 480 PPQ, 120 BPM, 4/4, two notes on displayed channel 1, total duration 1 second.
• Type 0: one track containing both the timing and note events.
• Type 1: two tracks; the first contains timing events and no notes, and the second contains the piano notes.

The timing track is useful, not a broken empty part. Event counts may differ because each track has its own ending event. Compare notes, channels and timing before assuming two files describe different music.

One track does not mean one instrument

A track can contain events for several channels. Conversely, multiple tracks can use the same channel. The Analyzer lists the channels it encounters and summarizes the last program found on the lowest-numbered channel. That summary is not a complete instrument-change timeline.

Choose the format your destination accepts

Type 1 is useful when an application benefits from separate parts. Type 0 may be required by a particular device or import workflow. Check the destination’s requirements before exporting from your DAW. This site inspects these formats but does not offer a Type 0/1 conversion button.

The two examples should have matching note timing in the Tempo Finder. Type 2 uses independent sequences and is outside that tool’s supported timing analysis.