A file format that records the precise commands sent to sound chips (like the Sega Genesis YM2612 or NES 2A03) in real-time. It is not an audio file like MP3, but rather a "script" of the music.
VGM files do not record "velocity" (how hard a key is pressed) because retro chips didn’t support it. All MIDI velocities will be 100 or 127. You must manually draw velocity curves or use a randomizer to add life.
| | Recommended Tool | Why? | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Extract music from a game ROM (like a DS or PS1 file). | VGMTrans | It's specifically designed to scan and pull music data directly out of ROMs and other game files. | | Get a clean, editable MIDI from a standalone VGM file. | vgm2midi | Offers the most advanced MIDI conversion features for accuracy and editability. | | Prefer a simple, click-and-convert experience. | vgm2mid | A classic GUI tool that works well for many popular consoles, though it has some known limitations with newer VGM features. | | I only work with SNES music (.spc files). | Miditrail / Spc2Midi | These are specialized tools that often handle the nuances of SNES audio better than general converters. |
This is the standard command-line and graphical utility specifically designed for this task. It reads standard .vgm and compressed .vgz files, parsing the data channel by channel. Vgm Midi Converter
: Does not retain the original retro synth patches or unique hardware quirks automatically. Why Use a VGM MIDI Converter?
Successful VGM to MIDI conversion almost always requires . A typical workflow includes:
Load the file into your converter. If using a tool like vgm2mid , you will typically specify output parameters. A file format that records the precise commands
Requires using the command prompt, which has a steeper learning curve for beginners. 3. DefleMask / Furnace Tracker
Ensure Node.js is installed on your system.
VGMTrans is arguably the most powerful tool for modern users. It is a cross-platform application that can scan game ROMs (especially for Nintendo DS and PlayStation) to find and convert sequenced music into MIDI and SoundFont2 (SF2) formats. Nintendo DS, PS1, and sequenced GBA music. All MIDI velocities will be 100 or 127
Type the following command:
Physical consoles degrade. Emulators change. The VGM format is a lossless, archival standard. Converting to MIDI ensures that the composition survives even if the original hardware sound chips become extinct.