NS MIDI Player is a free Mac app that makes auditioning MIDI files fast and easy. It allows you to browse and play files directly from the Mac finder window without adding them to your DAW first. It's packed with features like tempo control, adjustable reverb, and more. And maybe best of all, it actually sounds good!
Key features:
- Free version
- Play MIDI files inside Mac Finder
- Tempo control
- Adjustable reverb and level and type
- Additional SoundFonts can be added
General MIDI (GM) Files
For best results with drum loops, you should use files that follow the General MIDI (GM) drum map.
If your drum loop sounds off — like the wrong drums are playing — the MIDI file probably doesn't adhere to the GM standard.
Playing MIDI Files
Getting started with NS MIDI Player is easy, and the app offers several methods to open and play your MIDI files.
Playing within Finder
To play files using Finder, right-click on a file, select "Open with" and choose "MIDI Player.app".
Selecting a file also displays a PLAY button on the right side of the Finder window. For this to work, NS MIDI app has to install an extension and that will probably require your permission.
🎹 Tip: Set NS MIDI Player as the Default
To permanently open MIDI files with NS MIDI Player, right click on any MIDI file:
Get Info → Open With → NS MIDI Player → Change All
Watch a quick demo here: https://youtu.be/gOpTpKWC4lI?si=Hlb3iN5HD-5_PYvy
Playing within the app
You can also load a MIDI file into the app and click the play button.
The "open MIDI" button is located on the top left side. Overall, the interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy to navigate your music library and start playback with a single tap.
A Quick Note on File Selection
There's one quirk worth mentioning: clicking on a file may or may not start playback. This is the only real flaw I found while using the app.Â
App Controls
NS MIDI Player is more than a simple MIDI player. It offers several highly useful playback options.
Tempo Control
In the upper right corner, you'll find the app's tempo controls. Clicking here displays several discrete settings like 1.25x speed. For more precise control, select the "tempo" option to display a widget that includes a handy "tap tempo" feature—just tap the tempo you want and the app will adjust accordingly.
Reverb Settings
The settings menu is located on the bottom left and this is where you can adjust the reverb type and amount. The default is a "Hall" reverb but there other choices as well. Adjust the reverb amount to suit your taste.
Additional Options Menu
Tap the three dots in the lower right corner to access some additional options:
- Show file in Finder - Quickly locate the currently playing file in your file system
- Get Info - View technical details including time signature and the full file name
- Export as Audio - Convert your MIDI file to an audio format (requires upgrading to the full version)
Adding Custom SoundFonts
While the default SoundFont covers most needs, NS MIDI Player allows you to customize your sound palette by adding additional SoundFonts. I tried a few but could only get files with a .dls extendion to work.Â
