SP-MIDI (Scalable Polyphony MIDI) specification is the MIDI standard for polyhonic ringtones and multimedia messaging. According to the MIDI Manufacturers Association, "Scalable Polyphony MIDI was conceived as a solution for '3G' (3rd Generation) mobile applications and systems... SP-MIDI provides flexibility to both the system operator and the mobile terminal manufacturer to address differing customer needs. For example, lower-cost phones may be offered that have only 8-note polyphony, vs. higher priced models that have 32-note polyphony, yet the same content will play on either phone."

   Nokia was the first cell phone maker to adopt SP-MIDI followed by Sony Ericsson. The first of these polyphonic phones came out in the second half of 2002. Expect to see this feature in more phones and PDAs in the future. 

   SP-MIDI is a variation on the general MIDI ringtone format and was designed to allow ringtone composers the ability to compose a single audio file that can be used across a wide range of MIDI-based mobile phones. For example, cheap mass market phones usually have a 4-note polyphonic limit and high-end phone models can have 32-note polyphony. The SP-MIDI ringtones can be used on both 4-note and 32-note mobile phones. SP-MIDI ringtones can be played on the computer with Windows Media Player, but since its a ringtone they aren't the entire song, just a memorable hook or catchy riff from the song.

 

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