MidiSystem (Java Platform SE 8 )
Keywords: javax.sound.midi.MidiSystem class
Date: 2026-06-25

javax.sound.midi

## Class MidiSystem

- java.lang.Object
- - javax.sound.midi.MidiSystem

-     public class MidiSystem
      extends Object

  The `MidiSystem` class provides access to the installed MIDI system resources, including devices such as synthesizers, sequencers, and MIDI input and output ports. A typical simple MIDI application might begin by invoking one or more `MidiSystem` methods to learn what devices are installed and to obtain the ones needed in that application.

  The class also has methods for reading files, streams, and URLs that contain standard MIDI file data or soundbanks. You can query the `MidiSystem` for the format of a specified MIDI file.

  You cannot instantiate a `MidiSystem`; all the methods are static.

  Properties can be used to specify default MIDI devices. Both system properties and a properties file are considered. The `sound.properties` properties file is read from an implementation-specific location (typically it is the `lib` directory in the Java installation directory). If a property exists both as a system property and in the properties file, the system property takes precedence. If none is specified, a suitable default is chosen among the available devices. The syntax of the properties file is specified in `Properties.load`. The following table lists the available property keys and which methods consider them:

  MIDI System Property Keys
  Property Key | Interface | Affected Method
  --- | --- | ---
  `javax.sound.midi.Receiver` | `Receiver` | `getReceiver()`
  `javax.sound.midi.Sequencer` | `Sequencer` | `getSequencer()`
  `javax.sound.midi.Synthesizer` | `Synthesizer` | `getSynthesizer()`
  `javax.sound.midi.Transmitter` | `Transmitter` | `getTransmitter()`

  The property value consists of the provider class name and the device name, separated by the hash mark ("#"). The provider class name is the fully-qualified name of a concrete `MIDI device provider` class. The device name is matched against the `String` returned by the `getName` method of `MidiDevice.Info`. Either the class name, or the device name may be omitted. If only the class name is specified, the trailing hash mark is optional.

  If the provider class is specified, and it can be successfully retrieved from the installed providers, the list of `MidiDevice.Info` objects is retrieved from the provider. Otherwise, or when these devices do not provide a subsequent match, the list is retrieved from `getMidiDeviceInfo()` to contain all available `MidiDevice.Info` objects.

  If a device name is specified, the resulting list of `MidiDevice.Info` objects is searched: the first one with a matching name, and whose `MidiDevice` implements the respective interface, will be returned. If no matching `MidiDevice.Info` object is found, or the device name is not specified, the first suitable device from the resulting list will be returned. For Sequencer and Synthesizer, a device is suitable if it implements the respective interface; whereas for Receiver and Transmitter, a device is suitable if it implements neither Sequencer nor Synthesizer and provides at least one Receiver or Transmitter, respectively. For example, the property `javax.sound.midi.Receiver` with a value `"com.sun.media.sound.MidiProvider#SunMIDI1"` will have the following consequences when `getReceiver` is called: if the class `com.sun.media.sound.MidiProvider` exists in the list of installed MIDI device providers, the first `Receiver` device with name `"SunMIDI1"` will be returned. If it cannot be found, the first `Receiver` from that provider will be returned, regardless of name. If there is none, the first `Receiver` with name `"SunMIDI1"` in the list of all devices (as returned by `getMidiDeviceInfo`) will be returned, or, if not found, the first `Receiver` that can be found in the list of all devices is returned. If that fails, too, a `MidiUnavailableException` is thrown.

- - ### Method Summary

    All Methods Static Methods Concrete Methods
    Modifier and Type | Method and Description
    --- | ---
    `static MidiDevice` | `getMidiDevice(MidiDevice.Info info)` Obtains the requested MIDI device.
    `static MidiDevice.Info[]` | `getMidiDeviceInfo()` Obtains an array of information objects representing the set of all MIDI devices available on the system.
    `static MidiFileFormat` | `getMidiFileFormat(File file)` Obtains the MIDI file format of the specified `File`.
    `static MidiFileFormat` | `getMidiFileFormat(InputStream stream)` Obtains the MIDI file format of the data in the specified input stream.
    `static MidiFileFormat` | `getMidiFileFormat(URL url)` Obtains the MIDI file format of the data in the specified URL.
    `static int[]` | `getMidiFileTypes()` Obtains the set of MIDI file types for which file writing support is provided by the system.
    `static int[]` | `getMidiFileTypes(Sequence sequence)` Obtains the set of MIDI file types that the system can write from the sequence specified.
    `static Receiver` | `getReceiver()` Obtains a MIDI receiver from an external MIDI port or other default device.
    `static Sequence` | `getSequence(File file)` Obtains a MIDI sequence from the specified `File`.
    `static Sequence` | `getSequence(InputStream stream)` Obtains a MIDI sequence from the specified input stream.
    `static Sequence` | `getSequence(URL url)` Obtains a MIDI sequence from the specified URL.
    `static Sequencer` | `getSequencer()` Obtains the default `Sequencer`, connected to a default device.
    `static Sequencer` | `getSequencer(boolean connected)` Obtains the default `Sequencer`, optionally connected to a default device.
    `static Soundbank` | `getSoundbank(File file)` Constructs a `Soundbank` by reading it from the specified `File`.
    `static Soundbank` | `getSoundbank(InputStream stream)` Constructs a MIDI sound bank by reading it from the specified stream.
    `static Soundbank` | `getSoundbank(URL url)` Constructs a `Soundbank` by reading it from the specified URL.
    `static Synthesizer` | `getSynthesizer()` Obtains the default synthesizer.
    `static Transmitter` | `getTransmitter()` Obtains a MIDI transmitter from an external MIDI port or other default source.
    `static boolean` | `isFileTypeSupported(int fileType)` Indicates whether file writing support for the specified MIDI file type is provided by the system.
    `static boolean` | `isFileTypeSupported(int fileType, Sequence sequence)` Indicates whether a MIDI file of the file type specified can be written from the sequence indicated.
    `static int` | `write(Sequence in, int type, File out)` Writes a stream of bytes representing a file of the MIDI file type indicated to the external file provided.
    `static int` | `write(Sequence in, int fileType, OutputStream out)` Writes a stream of bytes representing a file of the MIDI file type indicated to the output stream provided.

    - ### Methods inherited from class java.lang.Object

      `clone, equals, finalize, getClass, hashCode, notify, notifyAll, toString, wait, wait, wait`

- - ### Method Detail

    - #### getMidiDeviceInfo

          public static MidiDevice.Info[] getMidiDeviceInfo()

      Obtains an array of information objects representing the set of all MIDI devices available on the system. A returned information object can then be used to obtain the corresponding device object, by invoking `getMidiDevice`.
      Returns:
        an array of `MidiDevice.Info` objects, one for each installed MIDI device. If no such devices are installed, an array of length 0 is returned.

    - #### getMidiDevice

          public static MidiDevice getMidiDevice(MidiDevice.Info info)
                                          throws MidiUnavailableException

      Obtains the requested MIDI device.
      Parameters:
        `info` - a device information object representing the desired device.
      Returns:
        the requested device
      Throws:
        `MidiUnavailableException` - if the requested device is not available due to resource restrictions
        `IllegalArgumentException` - if the info object does not represent a MIDI device installed on the system
      See Also:
        `getMidiDeviceInfo()`

    - #### getReceiver

          public static Receiver getReceiver()
                                      throws MidiUnavailableException

      Obtains a MIDI receiver from an external MIDI port or other default device. The returned receiver always implements the `MidiDeviceReceiver` interface.

      If the system property `javax.sound.midi.Receiver` is defined or it is defined in the file "sound.properties", it is used to identify the device that provides the default receiver. For details, refer to the `class description`. If a suitable MIDI port is not available, the Receiver is retrieved from an installed synthesizer.

      If a native receiver provided by the default device does not implement the `MidiDeviceReceiver` interface, it will be wrapped in a wrapper class that implements the `MidiDeviceReceiver` interface. The corresponding `Receiver` method calls will be forwarded to the native receiver.

      If this method returns successfully, the `MidiDevice` the `Receiver` belongs to is opened implicitly, if it is not already open. It is possible to close an implicitly opened device by calling `close` on the returned `Receiver`. All open `Receiver` instances have to be closed in order to release system resources hold by the `MidiDevice`. For a detailed description of open/close behaviour see the class description of `MidiDevice`.

      Returns:
        the default MIDI receiver
      Throws:
        `MidiUnavailableException` - if the default receiver is not available due to resource restrictions, or no device providing receivers is installed in the system

    - #### getTransmitter

          public static Transmitter getTransmitter()
                                            throws MidiUnavailableException

      Obtains a MIDI transmitter from an external MIDI port or other default source. The returned transmitter always implements the `MidiDeviceTransmitter` interface.

      If the system property `javax.sound.midi.Transmitter` is defined or it is defined in the file "sound.properties", it is used to identify the device that provides the default transmitter. For details, refer to the `class description`.

      If a native transmitter provided by the default device does not implement the `MidiDeviceTransmitter` interface, it will be wrapped in a wrapper class that implements the `MidiDeviceTransmitter` interface. The corresponding `Transmitter` method calls will be forwarded to the native transmitter.

      If this method returns successfully, the `MidiDevice` the `Transmitter` belongs to is opened implicitly, if it is not already open. It is possible to close an implicitly opened device by calling `close` on the returned `Transmitter`. All open `Transmitter` instances have to be closed in order to release system resources hold by the `MidiDevice`. For a detailed description of open/close behaviour see the class description of `MidiDevice`.

      Returns:
        the default MIDI transmitter
      Throws:
        `MidiUnavailableException` - if the default transmitter is not available due to resource restrictions, or no device providing transmitters is installed in the system

    - #### getSynthesizer

          public static Synthesizer getSynthesizer()
                                            throws MidiUnavailableException

      Obtains the default synthesizer.

      If the system property `javax.sound.midi.Synthesizer` is defined or it is defined in the file "sound.properties", it is used to identify the default synthesizer. For details, refer to the `class description`.

      Returns:
        the default synthesizer
      Throws:
        `MidiUnavailableException` - if the synthesizer is not available due to resource restrictions, or no synthesizer is installed in the system

    - #### getSequencer

          public static Sequencer getSequencer()
                                        throws MidiUnavailableException

      Obtains the default `Sequencer`, connected to a default device. The returned `Sequencer` instance is connected to the default `Synthesizer`, as returned by `getSynthesizer()`. If there is no `Synthesizer` available, or the default `Synthesizer` cannot be opened, the `sequencer` is connected to the default `Receiver`, as returned by `getReceiver()`. The connection is made by retrieving a `Transmitter` instance from the `Sequencer` and setting its `Receiver`. Closing and re-opening the sequencer will restore the connection to the default device.

      This method is equivalent to calling `getSequencer(true)`.

      If the system property `javax.sound.midi.Sequencer` is defined or it is defined in the file "sound.properties", it is used to identify the default sequencer. For details, refer to the `class description`.

      Returns:
        the default sequencer, connected to a default Receiver
      Throws:
        `MidiUnavailableException` - if the sequencer is not available due to resource restrictions, or there is no `Receiver` available by any installed `MidiDevice`, or no sequencer is installed in the system.
      See Also:
        `getSequencer(boolean)`, `getSynthesizer()`, `getReceiver()`

    - #### getSequencer

          public static Sequencer getSequencer(boolean connected)
                                        throws MidiUnavailableException

      Obtains the default `Sequencer`, optionally connected to a default device.

      If `connected` is true, the returned `Sequencer` instance is connected to the default `Synthesizer`, as returned by `getSynthesizer()`. If there is no `Synthesizer` available, or the default `Synthesizer` cannot be opened, the `sequencer` is connected to the default `Receiver`, as returned by `getReceiver()`. The connection is made by retrieving a `Transmitter` instance from the `Sequencer` and setting its `Receiver`. Closing and re-opening the sequencer will restore the connection to the default device.

      If `connected` is false, the returned `Sequencer` instance is not connected, it has no open `Transmitters`. In order to play the sequencer on a MIDI device, or a `Synthesizer`, it is necessary to get a `Transmitter` and set its `Receiver`.

      If the system property `javax.sound.midi.Sequencer` is defined or it is defined in the file "sound.properties", it is used to identify the default sequencer. For details, refer to the `class description`.

      Parameters:
        `connected` - whether or not the returned `Sequencer` is connected to the default `Synthesizer`
      Returns:
        the default sequencer
      Throws:
        `MidiUnavailableException` - if the sequencer is not available due to resource restrictions, or no sequencer is installed in the system, or if `connected` is true, and there is no `Receiver` available by any installed `MidiDevice`
      Since:
        1.5
      See Also:
        `getSynthesizer()`, `getReceiver()`

    - #### getSoundbank

          public static Soundbank getSoundbank(InputStream stream)
                                        throws InvalidMidiDataException,
                                               IOException

      Constructs a MIDI sound bank by reading it from the specified stream. The stream must point to a valid MIDI soundbank file. In general, MIDI soundbank providers may need to read some data from the stream before determining whether they support it. These parsers must be able to mark the stream, read enough data to determine whether they support the stream, and, if not, reset the stream's read pointer to its original position. If the input stream does not support this, this method may fail with an IOException.
      Parameters:
        `stream` - the source of the sound bank data.
      Returns:
        the sound bank
      Throws:
        `InvalidMidiDataException` - if the stream does not point to valid MIDI soundbank data recognized by the system
        `IOException` - if an I/O error occurred when loading the soundbank
      See Also:
        `InputStream.markSupported()`, `InputStream.mark(int)`

    - #### getSoundbank

          public static Soundbank getSoundbank(URL url)
                                        throws InvalidMidiDataException,
                                               IOException

      Constructs a `Soundbank` by reading it from the specified URL. The URL must point to a valid MIDI soundbank file.
      Parameters:
        `url` - the source of the sound bank data
      Returns:
        the sound bank
      Throws:
        `InvalidMidiDataException` - if the URL does not point to valid MIDI soundbank data recognized by the system
        `IOException` - if an I/O error occurred when loading the soundbank

    - #### getSoundbank

          public static Soundbank getSoundbank(File file)
                                        throws InvalidMidiDataException,
                                               IOException

      Constructs a `Soundbank` by reading it from the specified `File`. The `File` must point to a valid MIDI soundbank file.
      Parameters:
        `file` - the source of the sound bank data
      Returns:
        the sound bank
      Throws:
        `InvalidMidiDataException` - if the `File` does not point to valid MIDI soundbank data recognized by the system
        `IOException` - if an I/O error occurred when loading the soundbank

    - #### getMidiFileFormat

          public static MidiFileFormat getMidiFileFormat(InputStream stream)
                                                  throws InvalidMidiDataException,
                                                         IOException

      Obtains the MIDI file format of the data in the specified input stream. The stream must point to valid MIDI file data for a file type recognized by the system.

      This method and/or the code it invokes may need to read some data from the stream to determine whether its data format is supported. The implementation may therefore need to mark the stream, read enough data to determine whether it is in a supported format, and reset the stream's read pointer to its original position. If the input stream does not permit this set of operations, this method may fail with an `IOException`.

      This operation can only succeed for files of a type which can be parsed by an installed file reader. It may fail with an InvalidMidiDataException even for valid files if no compatible file reader is installed. It will also fail with an InvalidMidiDataException if a compatible file reader is installed, but encounters errors while determining the file format.

      Parameters:
        `stream` - the input stream from which file format information should be extracted
      Returns:
        an `MidiFileFormat` object describing the MIDI file format
      Throws:
        `InvalidMidiDataException` - if the stream does not point to valid MIDI file data recognized by the system
        `IOException` - if an I/O exception occurs while accessing the stream
      See Also:
        `getMidiFileFormat(URL)`, `getMidiFileFormat(File)`, `InputStream.markSupported()`, `InputStream.mark(int)`

    - #### getMidiFileFormat

          public static MidiFileFormat getMidiFileFormat(URL url)
                                                  throws InvalidMidiDataException,
                                                         IOException

      Obtains the MIDI file format of the data in the specified URL. The URL must point to valid MIDI file data for a file type recognized by the system.

      This operation can only succeed for files of a type which can be parsed by an installed file reader. It may fail with an InvalidMidiDataException even for valid files if no compatible file reader is installed. It will also fail with an InvalidMidiDataException if a compatible file reader is installed, but encounters errors while determining the file format.

      Parameters:
        `url` - the URL from which file format information should be extracted
      Returns:
        a `MidiFileFormat` object describing the MIDI file format
      Throws:
        `InvalidMidiDataException` - if the URL does not point to valid MIDI file data recognized by the system
        `IOException` - if an I/O exception occurs while accessing the URL
      See Also:
        `getMidiFileFormat(InputStream)`, `getMidiFileFormat(File)`

    - #### getMidiFileFormat

          public static MidiFileFormat getMidiFileFormat(File file)
                                                  throws InvalidMidiDataException,
                                                         IOException

      Obtains the MIDI file format of the specified `File`. The `File` must point to valid MIDI file data for a file type recognized by the system.

      This operation can only succeed for files of a type which can be parsed by an installed file reader. It may fail with an InvalidMidiDataException even for valid files if no compatible file reader is installed. It will also fail with an InvalidMidiDataException if a compatible file reader is installed, but encounters errors while determining the file format.

      Parameters:
        `file` - the `File` from which file format information should be extracted
      Returns:
        a `MidiFileFormat` object describing the MIDI file format
      Throws:
        `InvalidMidiDataException` - if the `File` does not point to valid MIDI file data recognized by the system
        `IOException` - if an I/O exception occurs while accessing the file
      See Also:
        `getMidiFileFormat(InputStream)`, `getMidiFileFormat(URL)`

    - #### getSequence

          public static Sequence getSequence(InputStream stream)
                                      throws InvalidMidiDataException,
                                             IOException

      Obtains a MIDI sequence from the specified input stream. The stream must point to valid MIDI file data for a file type recognized by the system.

      This method and/or the code it invokes may need to read some data from the stream to determine whether its data format is supported. The implementation may therefore need to mark the stream, read enough data to determine whether it is in a supported format, and reset the stream's read pointer to its original position. If the input stream does not permit this set of operations, this method may fail with an `IOException`.

      This operation can only succeed for files of a type which can be parsed by an installed file reader. It may fail with an InvalidMidiDataException even for valid files if no compatible file reader is installed. It will also fail with an InvalidMidiDataException if a compatible file reader is installed, but encounters errors while constructing the `Sequence` object from the file data.

      Parameters:
        `stream` - the input stream from which the `Sequence` should be constructed
      Returns:
        a `Sequence` object based on the MIDI file data contained in the input stream
      Throws:
        `InvalidMidiDataException` - if the stream does not point to valid MIDI file data recognized by the system
        `IOException` - if an I/O exception occurs while accessing the stream
      See Also:
        `InputStream.markSupported()`, `InputStream.mark(int)`

    - #### getSequence

          public static Sequence getSequence(URL url)
                                      throws InvalidMidiDataException,
                                             IOException

      Obtains a MIDI sequence from the specified URL. The URL must point to valid MIDI file data for a file type recognized by the system.

      This operation can only succeed for files of a type which can be parsed by an installed file reader. It may fail with an InvalidMidiDataException even for valid files if no compatible file reader is installed. It will also fail with an InvalidMidiDataException if a compatible file reader is installed, but encounters errors while constructing the `Sequence` object from the file data.

      Parameters:
        `url` - the URL from which the `Sequence` should be constructed
      Returns:
        a `Sequence` object based on the MIDI file data pointed to by the URL
      Throws:
        `InvalidMidiDataException` - if the URL does not point to valid MIDI file data recognized by the system
        `IOException` - if an I/O exception occurs while accessing the URL

    - #### getSequence

          public static Sequence getSequence(File file)
                                      throws InvalidMidiDataException,
                                             IOException

      Obtains a MIDI sequence from the specified `File`. The `File` must point to valid MIDI file data for a file type recognized by the system.

      This operation can only succeed for files of a type which can be parsed by an installed file reader. It may fail with an InvalidMidiDataException even for valid files if no compatible file reader is installed. It will also fail with an InvalidMidiDataException if a compatible file reader is installed, but encounters errors while constructing the `Sequence` object from the file data.

      Parameters:
        `file` - the `File` from which the `Sequence` should be constructed
      Returns:
        a `Sequence` object based on the MIDI file data pointed to by the File
      Throws:
        `InvalidMidiDataException` - if the File does not point to valid MIDI file data recognized by the system
        `IOException` - if an I/O exception occurs

    - #### getMidiFileTypes

          public static int[] getMidiFileTypes()

      Obtains the set of MIDI file types for which file writing support is provided by the system.
      Returns:
        array of unique file types. If no file types are supported, an array of length 0 is returned.

    - #### isFileTypeSupported

          public static boolean isFileTypeSupported(int fileType)

      Indicates whether file writing support for the specified MIDI file type is provided by the system.
      Parameters:
        `fileType` - the file type for which write capabilities are queried
      Returns:
        `true` if the file type is supported, otherwise `false`

    - #### getMidiFileTypes

          public static int[] getMidiFileTypes(Sequence sequence)

      Obtains the set of MIDI file types that the system can write from the sequence specified.
      Parameters:
        `sequence` - the sequence for which MIDI file type support is queried
      Returns:
        the set of unique supported file types. If no file types are supported, returns an array of length 0.

    - #### isFileTypeSupported

          public static boolean isFileTypeSupported(int fileType,
                                                    Sequence sequence)

      Indicates whether a MIDI file of the file type specified can be written from the sequence indicated.
      Parameters:
        `fileType` - the file type for which write capabilities are queried
        `sequence` - the sequence for which file writing support is queried
      Returns:
        `true` if the file type is supported for this sequence, otherwise `false`

    - #### write

          public static int write(Sequence in,
                                  int fileType,
                                  OutputStream out)
                           throws IOException

      Writes a stream of bytes representing a file of the MIDI file type indicated to the output stream provided.
      Parameters:
        `in` - sequence containing MIDI data to be written to the file
        `fileType` - the file type of the file to be written to the output stream
        `out` - stream to which the file data should be written
      Returns:
        the number of bytes written to the output stream
      Throws:
        `IOException` - if an I/O exception occurs
        `IllegalArgumentException` - if the file format is not supported by the system
      See Also:
        `isFileTypeSupported(int, Sequence)`, `getMidiFileTypes(Sequence)`

    - #### write

          public static int write(Sequence in,
                                  int type,
                                  File out)
                           throws IOException

      Writes a stream of bytes representing a file of the MIDI file type indicated to the external file provided.
      Parameters:
        `in` - sequence containing MIDI data to be written to the file
        `type` - the file type of the file to be written to the output stream
        `out` - external file to which the file data should be written
      Returns:
        the number of bytes written to the file
      Throws:
        `IOException` - if an I/O exception occurs
        `IllegalArgumentException` - if the file type is not supported by the system
      See Also:
        `isFileTypeSupported(int, Sequence)`, `getMidiFileTypes(Sequence)`

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