Converting MIDI files to the DefleMask (DMF) format is a common workflow for musicians creating "chiptune" or retro-style music for systems like the Sega Genesis (Mega Drive) or Game Boy.
Because DMF is a tracker format (which uses a vertical grid and specific hardware-emulated channels), simply "converting" MIDI isn't a one-click process—it requires mapping MIDI's generic note data to the chiptune engine's specific constraints. 🛠️ Key Tool: Midi2Dmf (by beatscribe)
The most current and widely recommended tool for this process is Midi2Dmf, available on itch.io. Top Features:
Automatic Chord Splitting: DefleMask channels are monophonic (one note at a time). This tool can automatically split MIDI chords across multiple DMF channels.
Instrument Mapping: You can link specific MIDI channels to FM or PSG (Programmable Sound Generator) patches.
Analysis Mode: It allows you to "peek" into the MIDI file to see how it’s structured before you convert it.
Platform Support: Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux (requires Python 3). 📝 Step-by-Step Conversion Guide 1. Prepare Your MIDI
Before converting, you should clean up your MIDI file in a DAW like Reaper or Ableton Live.
Limit Tracks: Most retro systems have limited channels (e.g., Sega Genesis has 6 FM channels). Ensure your MIDI doesn't exceed the target system's capacity.
Quantize: Ensure notes are perfectly on the grid to prevent "jitter" in the tracker.
Resolution: For the best results, use a resolution of 24 pulses per quarter note. 2. Run the Conversion If using Midi2Dmf: Install Python. Drag and drop your MIDI file onto the converter script. Select your target system (e.g., Genesis, Game Boy, NES).
Configure your Instrument Mapping (telling the tool which MIDI track is an "FM synth" vs. a "Drum"). 3. Finalize in DefleMask
The resulting .dmf file will contain your notes, but it won't have the final "sound" yet.
Load Instruments: You must manually load or create instruments in DefleMask to hear the music. midi to dmf new
Clean Up: Adjust any note overlaps or velocity settings that didn't translate perfectly. ⚠️ Common Pitfalls
Polyphony: If you have three notes playing at once on one MIDI track, the tracker will likely only play one unless you use the "chord splitting" feature.
Tempo Sync: Tracker speed is often based on the system's refresh rate (50Hz/60Hz). You may need to adjust the "Ticks per Row" in DefleMask to match your MIDI's original tempo. Midi2Dmf Deflemask Midi Converter by beatscribe
The most notable recent development is Midi2Dmf Deflemask Midi Converter by beatscribe, which was updated as recently as March 2026. It is a specialized tool designed to convert standard MIDI files into the Deflemask Format (DMF), specifically for chiptune projects like Sega Genesis/Mega Drive music. Key Features of the Recent Midi2Dmf Tool
Cross-Compatibility: Exported DMF files can also be opened in Furnace Tracker, another popular chiptune multi-system tracker.
System Targeting: It is optimized for systems supported by Deflemask, such as the Sega Genesis.
Customization: Historically, such conversions required manual tweaking of resolutions (e.g., 24 per beat) and octave transpositions to fit the limitations of chiptune hardware. Older Context and Technical Background
Legacy Solutions: Older methods involved complex manual steps, such as importing MIDI into a tracker like Modplug, converting to .mod format, and then importing into VGM Music Maker or TFM.
Technical Specs: The DMF format uses Zlib compression, which developers typically need to account for when writing conversion software [0.31].
Alternative Conversion: If you are looking for other tracker-related conversions, MIDI2IMF exists for converting MIDI to IMF format (used in older DOS games like Commander Keen). Midi2Dmf Deflemask Midi Converter by beatscribe - Itch.io
To convert MIDI files to the DefleMask (.DMF) format, you typically use a specialized converter tool or a script to translate MIDI note data into tracker commands. Quick Guide: Converting MIDI to .DMF
Because DefleMask does not have a native "Import MIDI" button that creates a full project, users rely on external tools like the DefleMask MIDI to DMF Converter Prepare the MIDI File Resolution : Set your MIDI resolution to 24 pulses per beat (PPB) for the best compatibility with tracker rows. Quantization
: Quantize your notes strictly; trackers use a fixed grid, so "off-grid" notes may not import correctly. Run the Converter Converting MIDI files to the DefleMask (DMF) format
Most legacy tools for this conversion are command-line based. Open your terminal or command prompt. Standard usage often follows the pattern: midi_to_dmf.exe input.mid output.dmf Adjust Octaves and Channels
Depending on the target chip (e.g., Sega Genesis/YM2612), you may need to transpose tracks. For example, transposing tracks -1 or -2 octaves is common to fit within chip-specific ranges.
Assign each MIDI channel to a specific tracker channel (e.g., Channel 6 often defaults to DAC/drums). Final Polish in DefleMask Open the generated Assign Instruments
: The converter only brings in note data. You must manually create or load FM/PSG instruments to hear sound.
: MIDI tempos don't always translate perfectly; you may need to adjust the Speed/Tempo settings in the tracker header. Alternative: Impulse Tracker (IT) Method Some users find it more reliable to convert MIDI to .IT first (using tools like OpenMPT), then use the IT to DefleMask Converter
. This method can offer better pattern optimization and row-by-row accuracy. Common Issues Notes Too Far Apart
: If notes appear widely spaced, check your MIDI's PPQ (Parts Per Quarter) settings before converting. Compression
Converting MIDI to DMF (DefleMask Format) is a niche but essential workflow for musicians creating authentic retro game soundtracks, particularly for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. While MIDI provides a flexible digital canvas, the transition to the DMF tracker format requires a shift from abstract musical data to specific hardware instructions. The Evolution of Conversion Tools
Traditionally, converting MIDI to tracker formats was a clunky, manual process. Early tools often struggled with complex MIDI messages, leading to "broken" files that required hours of fixing. However, modern solutions like Midi2Dmf by beatscribe have streamlined this by offering: Direct Porting
: Automated mapping of MIDI channels to specific FM or PSG chips. Precision Timing
: Ensuring that MIDI’s resolution matches DefleMask’s tick-based system to avoid tempo drift. Multiple Hardware Support
: Tools now often support exporting to formats compatible with the Sega Genesis or even the Furnace Tracker The Technical Transition
The conversion isn't just a file-type change; it's a structural reimagining: Channel Constraints GUI options (planned):
: MIDI supports 16 channels, but the Sega Genesis hardware is limited to 6 FM channels and 3-4 PSG (Square wave/Noise) channels. A "new" conversion process involves choosing which MIDI tracks take priority. Instrument Creation
: MIDI files contain "Note On" and "Velocity" data, but they do not contain the FM algorithms or operators used in trackers. After conversion, composers must still manually configure instruments or patches within DefleMask to get the desired sound. Optimization
: Effective conversion requires prepping the MIDI file beforehand—quantizing notes to ensure they land perfectly on the tracker grid and transposing tracks to fit within the hardware's frequency limits. Why Trackers Matter Today
In an era of high-fidelity DAW production, the move to DMF represents a commitment to hardware limitations as a creative tool . By using tools like
, artists bridge the gap between modern composition and the distinct, gritty 16-bit aesthetic. This workflow allows for a hybrid approach: writing complex melodies in a familiar MIDI environment and then "downsampling" them into the rigid, command-driven world of tracker software for that final, authentic crunch. Midi2Dmf Deflemask Midi Converter by beatscribe
Here’s a proper, step-by-step guide for converting MIDI to DMF (the native song format for DefleMask Tracker), specifically for the latest versions of DefleMask (v1.x, often referred to as “new” compared to the legacy v0.x).
Parse and merge MIDI events:
function parse_midi(file):
header = read_header(file)
ppq = header.ppq
tracks = [parse_track(t) for t in file.tracks]
events = merge_tracks_by_delta_time(tracks)
return events, ppq
Build absolute times:
function build_timing(events, ppq):
tempo_map = [(0, 500000)] // default microseconds per quarter
absolute_time = 0
for ev in events:
absolute_time += (ev.delta_ticks / ppq) * current_tempo_us_per_qn
if ev.type == TEMPO:
current_tempo_us_per_qn = ev.tempo
tempo_map.append((absolute_time, current_tempo_us_per_qn))
ev.time_ms = absolute_time / 1000
return events, tempo_map
Event to DMF mapping (simplified):
for ev in events:
if ev.type == NOTE_ON and ev.velocity > 0:
dmf_event = DMFNote(start=ev.time_ms, duration=calc_duration(ev), pitch=ev.note, vel=ev.velocity, channel=ev.channel)
elif ev.type == NOTE_OFF or (ev.type==NOTE_ON and ev.velocity==0):
// handled by matching note's duration earlier
elif ev.type == PROGRAM_CHANGE:
dmf_event = DMFProgramChange(time=ev.time_ms, channel=ev.channel, program=map_gm_to_dmf(ev.program))
elif ev.type == CONTROL_CHANGE:
dmf_event = DMFController(time=ev.time_ms, controller=ev.controller, value=ev.value)
...
append_to_segment(dmf_event)
Complexity: O(N log T) where N events, T active notes for lookups; with hash maps reduces to O(N).
CLI flags example:
midi2dmf song.mid --chip ym2612 --resolution 1/32 --instruments map.json --out song.dmf
GUI options (planned):
The "DMF New" standard implies capabilities beyond legacy trackers. This framework introduces: