How drawings become music
On the MIDI Art Generator canvas, time runs from left to right, and pitch runs from bottom to top. Press Play and a glowing line sweeps across your drawing, playing each note it touches. Draw higher for higher notes and lower for lower notes. Long horizontal lines make sustained notes; small dots make short notes.
Make music without reading sheet music
Wherever you draw, the tool automatically snaps your notes to the underlying chords, helping your drawing sound harmonious. Pick a mood to set the key, chord progression, groove, instrument, and tempo together. Open Advanced whenever you want more control.
How to use the MIDI art generator
- Draw somethingDraw on the canvas with your mouse or finger. Hear each note as you draw it. Use Eraser to remove notes.
- Press PlayWatch your drawing light up and play from left to right. Turn on Loop to keep drawing while the music plays.
- Pick a mood and speedTry Music Box, Upbeat, Mellow, 8-Bit, Dance, and more. Feeling adventurous? Tap Surprise Me.
- Save and shareDownload a video, audio recording, image, or MIDI file. Save a project file to keep editing later.
Turn text and images into MIDI art
Text to MIDI art
Select Text and enter a name or message to turn its letter shapes into notes. English letters, Japanese characters, and emoji are supported. Choose Rounded, Pop, or Bold. In Easy mode, text automatically scales to fit the canvas. Short words of about six characters work best because longer messages appear smaller.
Image to MIDI: turn a picture into notes
Select Image and choose a photo or illustration (JPG, PNG, WebP, and other browser-supported formats). Dark areas become notes. You can also drag an image onto the canvas or paste one with Ctrl+V (⌘V on Mac). Under Adjust image, change the threshold, invert black and white, or use Edges only. Simple, high-contrast illustrations and logos usually make the clearest MIDI art.
Download your MIDI art: video, audio, image, or MIDI
| Format | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 🎬 Video (MP4) | Glowing animated notes with music | Share on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube. Choose portrait, landscape, or square. |
| 🎧 Audio (WAV) | An audio recording | Background music for videos, sound effects, or ringtone projects |
| 🖼️ Image (PNG) | Your artwork as glowing notes | Profile pictures, thumbnails, and artwork previews |
| 🎹 MIDI file | Note pitches, lengths, and timing | Edit in a MIDI-compatible DAW such as GarageBand, Cubase, or FL Studio |
| 📁 Project | Editable project data | Save up to three projects in this browser, or download a project file to open and edit later. |
What is MIDI art? A guide for DAW users
MIDI art uses notes in a DAW piano roll to form pictures or words. This tool turns your drawings, text, and images into standard MIDI files (SMF Format 1) for import into a compatible DAW. Switch to Advanced to fine-tune:
- Key and scale: major, minor, pentatonic, or chromatic
- Note snapping: match chords, match the scale, or preserve the original drawing
- Chord progressions: pop, Pachelbel-style Canon, J-pop / jazz, minor pop, IV–V–iii–vi, and blues, with per-bar chord editing
- Chord playback: together, music box, ascending, descending, or random arpeggios. Note rhythms include sustained notes, 16ths, 8ths, quarters, offbeats, 3-3-2, and gallop.
- Pitch range (24–128 MIDI notes), 12 drum grooves, tempo (60–200 BPM), and instrument
- A separate hand-drawn melody layer and horizontal zoom
MIDI exports put the artwork, melody, and drums on separate tracks, with drums on channel 10. Files include tempo, General MIDI instrument numbers, and swing timing. Your DAW supplies the instrument sounds, so the timbre may differ from browser playback.
MIDI art in action
Watch an example of MIDI art made with this tool.
✨ Creative tip: combine text with hand-drawn art
- Use Text to turn a word or message into notes.
- Open Save and choose Download editable black-and-white PNG.
- Open that image in Procreate, Photoshop, or a drawing app on your phone, and add hearts, stars, or other details.
- Import your edited picture through Image to combine crisp letter shapes with your own hand-drawn details.
Ideas to try
- Social media: Turn “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” or a name into notes and post the glowing performance.
- Songwriting: Convert an image or word to discover unexpected melodies and rhythms.
- Sonic branding: Experiment with turning a logo into a short musical signature.
- Music classes and creative projects: Explore pitch and timing visually: higher notes go up, and time moves right.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there no sound?
Check your device volume, your iPhone silent mode switch, and any connected Bluetooth headphones. Browsers may require a tap before playing audio. Press Play to enable sound.
Can I draw on my phone?
Yes. Draw on the canvas with your finger. The page stays still while you draw. Set Length to 4 bars for larger grid cells that are easier to draw in.
Can I share my music on social media?
Choose Save, then Video to make an MP4 with glowing notes and music. Choose portrait for TikTok or Reels, landscape for YouTube, or square for a feed post.
What is a MIDI file?
A MIDI file stores note pitches, lengths, and timing, like digital sheet music. Open it in a digital audio workstation (DAW) or another MIDI-compatible app. To save a recording you can listen to directly, choose Audio instead.
Are my drawings or photos uploaded?
No. Your drawings and images are processed in your browser. Image conversion, music and video creation, and downloads all happen on your device.
Is this MIDI art generator free?
Yes. It is free to use, with no account or sign-up required.
Can I use my creations commercially?
You can use, edit, and share the music, MIDI files, and videos you create, including in commercial projects. If you use someone else’s images or text, make sure you have permission to use that material.
Which browsers are supported?
Use a recent version of Chrome, Safari, Edge, or Firefox. Video export requires WebAssembly SIMD support. Rendering can take longer on phones; a desktop or laptop works best for longer songs.