How to Synchronize Music and Animation

Synchronizing music and animation can be done with MIDI.

Both music and animation are time-driven forms. It is important to prevent these from drifting apart in a project. To work together, they need to be synchronized using special software, such as the MIDI driver in the Blender platform for 3D creation. This program creates a script that synchronizes animation with music. MIDI, or Musical Instrument Digital Interface, sets the tempo for various kinds of electronic and music instruments to communicate with each other. This is done in the form of creating digital "event messages" that can be used in the process of synchronizing animation and music.

Things You'll Need

• MIDI driver software
• Blender software
• WAV to MIDI converter

Instructions

Music and animation in sync.

1. Convert the music for your animation into WAV files. Then convert the WAV files into MIDI files. Use freeware such as "Amazing MIDI" for this purpose or "open source" shareware with demos. The conversion takes about five minutes.

2. Download the MIDI driver. Add the file to the Blender 3D platform's "Scripts" folder. Turn on the script in the "Scripts - Animation- MIDI driver" pathway. Load your MIDI sound files into the script interface. The MIDI driver converts your MIDI files to notes. Check the notes in the "Sequence Viewer" and in the "Note Filter".

3. Select one "note" for each animation entry. Specify the destination datablock and the source animation. The MIDI driver script holds nine animation entries with 10 synchronization parameters.

4. Click the "Sync" button at the bottom of the interface. Check to see if the music is in sync with the selected animation sequences.

References

• Synchronizing animation with MIDI audio
• Blender
• MAC OS X MIDI Setup
• Freeware MIDI Sequencer
• Amazing WAV to MIDI freeware

Resources

• Computer animated music