Automatic Enhancement of Music Performance Quality in Universal MIDI Piano Tracks

MPhil Thesis Defence


Title: "Automatic Enhancement of Music Performance Quality in Universal MIDI 
Piano Tracks"

By

Mr. Cheuk Nam LAU


Abstract

MIDI file format is popular for exchanging musical scores and ideas nowadays 
and massive of anonymous MIDI files are uploaded on the Internet. However, some 
of these MIDI files are edited with low music performance quality. This thesis 
researches the possibility for automatic enhancement of MIDI music performance 
quality, and we will start the investigation by editing MIDI piano tracks. We 
aim to accept universal MIDI files with various edit qualities; hence the 
enhancement algorithms will only be based on the basic component of MIDI, which 
is note pitches over time. After extraction of musical information from the 
limited musical data through various original algorithms, the music performance 
quality of the raw MIDI file would be enhanced by modification of dynamics and 
insertion of the sustain pedal. Besides, a GUI program named “MIDI Piano 
Enhancer” is developed for users to manipulate the automation process more 
easily. The results show significant MIDI music performance quality enhancement 
and suggest high feasibility of extension of the research to other instruments.


Date:  			Friday, 4 March 2022

Time:			10:00am - 12:00noon

Zoom Meeting: 		https://hkust.zoom.us/j/9553054023

Committee Members:	Prof. Andrew Horner (Supervisor)
 			Prof. Raymond Wong (Chairperson)
 			Prof. Gary Chan


**** ALL are Welcome ****