Importing a MIDI file into Guitar Pro takes three steps: open Guitar Pro, go to File > Open, and select your MIDI file

Guitar Pro reads MIDI files directly. When you open a MIDI file in Guitar Pro, the software converts the note data into tablature and standard notation automatically. The conversion is not always perfect — timing can shift, and Guitar Pro sometimes misinterprets which string a note should sit on — but it gives you a working starting point instead of transcribing by ear.

The process works the same way whether you are using Guitar Pro 7 or Guitar Pro 8. You do not need any plugins or converters. If you have a MIDI file on your computer, Guitar Pro can open it.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Guitar Pro, click File > Open, navigate to your MIDI file, and click Open — the software converts the MIDI data to tabs and notation in seconds.
  • Guitar Pro assigns notes to strings based on pitch alone, so you may need to move notes to different strings to match how a guitarist would actually play them.
  • Tempo, time signature, and key signature import from the MIDI file, but you should check them against the original because MIDI data is sometimes incomplete.
  • If Guitar Pro does not recognize your MIDI file format, save it as a standard .mid file in your DAW or MIDI editor before importing.

The File > Open menu is where you import MIDI

Launch Guitar Pro. At the top of the window, click File, then click Open. A file browser window opens. Navigate to the folder where your MIDI file is stored. Click the MIDI file once to select it, then click the Open button at the bottom right of the dialog.

Guitar Pro processes the file and opens it as a new tab. You will see standard notation on the top staff and tablature on the bottom staff. The tempo, time signature, and key signature appear at the beginning of the first measure. If the file contains multiple tracks — for example, drums, bass, and guitar — Guitar Pro imports all of them as separate tracks in the same document.

The import happens when ready. You do not need to wait or confirm anything. If the file does not open, check that it is a .mid or .midi file. Some MIDI editors save in proprietary formats that Guitar Pro cannot read; if that is the case, re-save the file as a standard MIDI file in your original software first.

Guitar Pro assigns notes to strings based on pitch, not playing position

When Guitar Pro converts MIDI data, it places each note on the string closest to the pitch. This often means notes end up on the wrong string for how a real guitarist would play them. For example, a note might appear on the high E string when a guitarist would actually play it on the B string two frets higher.

You can move notes to different strings by hand. Click a note in the tablature, then drag it up or down to a different string. Alternatively, right-click the note, select String, and choose the string you want from the menu. This is tedious for a long transcription, but necessary if you plan to use the tabs as a playing guide.

If you imported a drum track or bass track along with the guitar part, those tracks will have their own string assignments. Drums do not use strings at all — Guitar Pro displays drum notes as percussion notation instead — so you do not need to adjust them.

Check and correct the tempo, time signature, and key

Guitar Pro reads tempo, time signature, and key signature from the MIDI file's metadata. These usually import correctly, but MIDI files created in older software or exported from certain DAWs sometimes carry incomplete or incorrect information. Before you start playing or editing, verify that what Guitar Pro imported matches the original song.

To check the tempo, look at the number next to the tempo marking at the start of the first measure. To change it, double-click that number and type a new value. To change the time signature, double-click the time signature itself (for example, 4/4) and select a new one from the dialog. To change the key signature, double-click the key signature symbol and choose a new key.

If the MIDI file has tempo changes throughout the song, Guitar Pro imports those too. You will see multiple tempo markings in the score. You can edit or delete any of them the same way.

Clean up note timing if the import looks sloppy

MIDI files store note timing as precise decimal values. If the original MIDI was recorded by hand rather than programmed, the timing may be slightly off the beat. When Guitar Pro imports this, the notes appear exactly where they were recorded — which can look messy on the page even if it sounds fine when played back.

To tighten up the timing, select all the notes you want to fix (click the first note, hold Shift, and click the last note), then go to Tools > Quantize. A dialog opens. Choose a note value — usually the smallest note in that section — and click OK. Guitar Pro snaps all selected notes to the nearest beat or subdivision. This works best if the MIDI was only slightly off; if the timing is very loose, quantizing may make it sound robotic.

You can also quantize a single note by right-clicking it and selecting Quantize from the context menu.

Export your edited tabs as a Guitar Pro file

Once you have imported the MIDI and made corrections, save your work as a Guitar Pro file so you do not lose your edits. Go to File > Save As. Choose a location and filename, make sure the file type is set to Guitar Pro (the default), and click Save. Guitar Pro saves it as a .gp5 or .gp7 file depending on your version.

If you want to export the file back to MIDI — for example, to send it to someone else or to use it in a DAW — go to File > Export > MIDI. Guitar Pro writes a new MIDI file with all your edits included. The exported MIDI will reflect any string changes, tempo adjustments, and note corrections you made.

Multi-track MIDI files and how Guitar Pro handles them

If your MIDI file contains multiple instruments — drums, bass, rhythm guitar, lead guitar — Guitar Pro imports each one as a separate track. You will see them stacked vertically in the editor, each with its own staff. You can mute, solo, or delete individual tracks by right-clicking the track header on the left side of the window.

This is useful if you want to isolate one instrument. For example, you might import a full song MIDI, then delete the drums and bass tracks so you can focus on learning the guitar part. You can also adjust the volume of each track independently using the volume slider next to each track name.

If you want to export only one track back to MIDI, select that track, go to File > Export > MIDI, and Guitar Pro will export only the selected track.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if Guitar Pro does not recognize my MIDI file?

Guitar Pro reads standard .mid and .midi files. If your file has a different extension — .smf, .kar, or a proprietary format — open it in your original software (your DAW or MIDI editor) and re-save it as a standard MIDI file. Then try opening it in Guitar Pro again.

Can I import a MIDI file from a YouTube video or streaming service?

No. MIDI files are separate from audio. YouTube videos and streaming services contain only audio, not MIDI data. You would need to find or create a MIDI file of the song separately. Many websites offer MIDI downloads of popular songs, or you can create one by recording into a DAW with a MIDI keyboard.

Why do the drums look wrong after I import them?

Guitar Pro converts drum MIDI notes to percussion notation, which uses a different staff than guitar tabs. This is normal. If the drum notes appear on the wrong lines or spaces, you may need to adjust the drum map in Guitar Pro's settings, but for most purposes the default drum display works fine for playback and reference.

Can I edit the MIDI file in Guitar Pro and then export it back to my DAW?

Yes. Make your edits in Guitar Pro, then go to File > Export > MIDI. The exported file will include all your changes. Open that MIDI file in your DAW the same way you would open any other MIDI file.

What happens to effects or articulations in the MIDI file?

Guitar Pro imports note data, pitch, timing, and velocity. It does not import MIDI effects like reverb or compression. Articulations like hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides may be present in the MIDI file as note data, but Guitar Pro does not automatically detect them — you may need to add those symbols by hand using Guitar Pro's articulation tools.