Musescore 4.5.1 opens midi files with incorrect time signature
Musescore changes the time signature and tempo of numerous midi files during loading and ignores the information visibly contained in the relevant scores. I've tested the same midis with Cakewalk, Sibelius and various windows midi players and they all handle them correctly. I've also tested opening them with Immidi and Rose Garden in Ubuntu and they open correctly.
This bug is serious in my case as I've converted from Windows to Ubuntu on the basis that Musescore showed such promise as a replacement for the notation for which I used Sibelius and also the sequencing for which I used Cakewalk. This bug prevents me from editing hundreds of midi files that I want to transfer from windows and I've had to reload windows alongside Ubuntu to enable me to continue.
Please correct this and enable Musescore to use only the visible time signatures and tempo in midi files.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Cakewalk 2025-04-01 110507.png | 154.76 KB |
| Musescore 2025-04-01 12-55-01.png | 128.7 KB |
Comments
I've discovered a workaround!
Opening the file in Cakewalk and saving it in midi format 0. The format 0 file opens with the correct time signature and tempo and can then be saved in format 1 from Musescore.
This works but is a tiresome and unnecessary exercise that could be avoided by fixing the bug.
My guess is that your MIDI file is lacking the time signature elements on one or more of the individual tracks, but it's impossible to say from just a picture. Some programs places all such info on a single track only instead of including it for each. See if your MIDI editor has an option to do that. And if you continue to have trouble after ensuring your file is set up in that way, please attach the MIDI file itself so we can understand and assist better.
I've attached one of the problem files but there are others. All open correctly in cakewalk and other midi editors and players and display 4/4 time signature on every staff. Time signature is changed to 3/4 when opened in Musescore resulting corrupt music.
In reply to I've attached one of the… by staffordmd1
This opens with the proper 4/4 in Sibelius. When exported as xml, it opens in 4.5.1 with 4/4 also.
In reply to I've attached one of the… by staffordmd1
Seems to be a bug indeed, something specific to this particular file as others open fine; please open an issue on GitHub to report it to the developers. Be sure to ZIP and attach the file there.
In reply to Seems to be a bug indeed;… by Marc Sabatella
But, as mentioned below, a long time bug, affecting all but MuuseScore 1.x
MuseScore 2.3.2 and 3.6.2 too opens this with a 3/4 time sig
MuseScore 1.3 opens this with a 4/4 time sig