// Preservation Notes: MIDI on the Early Web

Unlike MP3 or WAV files, MIDI (.mid, .midi) contains instructions rather than actual audio samples. In the 1990s, browsers like Netscape and Internet Explorer relied on the user's sound card or software synthesizer (like Windows Sound System or Creative Sound Blaster) to render these files. This means playback quality varied wildly depending on hardware.

Our archive preserves the original SMF (Standard MIDI File) byte sequences exactly as cached in 1994–1999 browser temp folders. We use a deterministic Web MIDI synthesis engine to guarantee consistent playback across modern devices, while optionally emulating the classic AdLib/SB16 FM synthesis for authentic retro listening.