Apple - How to save/export as a MIDI file in GarageBand

You can get MIDI from GarageBand using these free application or browser conversion methods

One of the biggest drawbacks [of GarageBand] is the lack of built-in support for exporting MIDI data. (...) However, a nice guy named Lars Kobbe has put together a workaround/hack that extracts MIDI data from the reluctant clutches of GarageBand.

You can download his GB2MIDI Apple droplet script from his site: MIDI-Export in Apples Garageband. Here’s the direct download: GB2MIDI.ZIP

^{source: Scott Troyer: Export MIDI from GarageBand}

Kobbe also created an experimental JavaScript-based version of the GB2MIDI app which works directly in your browser. This is great because, if the application ever stops working (e.g. after updating your operating system), the browser version still works wonderfully!

Conversion Process

Once you have your MIDI performance in GarageBand, you may create a MIDI file (.mid) using the following steps:

1. Join the regions of the track you want as a MIDI file (command + J)
2. Convert that region to a loop (File > Add Region to Loop Library or drag-and-drop into loops area)
3. Find that loop (.aif) file you just created in your hard drive
   • /Users/User'sName/Library/Audio/Apple Loops/User Loops/SingleFiles
4. Put the loop through the conversion process below
   • Application method:
     • simply drag-and-drop it onto the GB2MIDI converter icon
     • Click "Run" when the GB2MIDI prompt pops up
     • Grab the freshly extracted .mid file (now found in the same folder where the .aif loop was)
   • Browser method:
     • Go to the browser version of GB2MIDI
     • Select "Choose Files" (or just drag-n-drop onto "Choose Files" button)
     • Click "Convert"
     • Grab the freshly extracted .mid file (now found in the download folder)

Now you can use the MIDI file for whatever you wanted. In my case, I'd open the MIDI file in Synthesia. Thanks to this process, I can make videos like this one.

Unfortunately, Garageband doesn't support MIDI export.

However, you could consider buying Apple's Logic Pro X, which is the "pro version" of GarageBand. It is quite pricey and might be overkill if you are just dealing with simple MIDI projects but it offers a great deal of features.

With Logic you can open your Garageband projects and export your tracks as MIDI files.