Introduction to

MIDI
Introduction
What is MIDI
MIDI is know as Musical Instrument Digital Interface. MIDI is one of the few ways that
technology and music has developed together. Through the use of USB cables and dedicated MIDI
cables the MIDI is capable of bringing the ability to compose music perform music live and edit
music much much more easier than the traditional analogue methods.
Origins of MIDI

MIDI came about in the year of !"#$ where MIDI started with the
idea that a musician could control several synthesi%ers and drum
pads with one controller. This was first introduced via a &'(pin DI)*
cable which allowed MIDI keyboards to connect to each other and
transmit data. This was essentially adding oscillators onto each other
or running synthesi%ers through each other which is now commonly
done on Digital +udio ,orkstations -D+,.s/. Through physical
MIDI instrumentals it is completely possible to use the older method
via a D+,. MIDI cables are now also in USB form allowing MIDI
Instruments to connect to computers.
Why use MIDI
MIDI allows people who are not able to play the instruments that they re0uire for their
composition to place MIDI data in a D+, that behaved in a similar style to a piano roll. )owadays
the form of this is called the &1iano 2oll* where MIDI data can be changed in almost any aspect
such as velocity panning pitch M3D 456 release etc... This allows a huge variety of ways to
develop the composition and feel of
the composition. If a producer knows
what they are doing with MIDI they
are fully capable to create music that
sound more &human* than &machine*.
This is needed when creating
orchestral pieces of music or when
using samples instead of synths so
they don.t sound rigid and blocky
within the composition. MIDI with
it.s huge versatility and capabilities of
manipulating almost any variable
makes it essential for composers and
producers alike.

MIDI
Types of MIDI Instrument
There are a huge amount of MIDI Instruments that are being produced
by various manufacturers. Since MIDI is so simple yet effective it has
been integrated in various devices. Some are instruments such as
7eyboards ,ind Instruments Drums and 8uitars. Due to sheer
capabilities of MIDI it has even been integrated and become a key
integral part of stage lighting where MIDI controllers are able to
manipulate multiple lights on stage through mechanised motors and
saved programs9settings. Since not all MIDI instruments are going to be the same by each
manufacturer there are variations that tend to be present for each individual manufacturer. Such as
placement9layout of buttons on a MIDI keyboard casings for the instruments si%e and 0uality.
There are differences in si%e and preference with MIDI
keyboards as they can come in si%es ranging from $(: octaves
and even a choice of whether the keys are weighted keys or
not to recreate the feel of an actual piano. Though this mainly
down to choice. The variety of MIDI instruments allows even
those who play instruments use MIDI in a way that is more
familiar to them that ;ust a standard MIDI keyboard.
How does MIDI work?
Using the Diagram below the MIDI data is sent in the form of Binary information -So in <.s and
!.s like so =<<<!<!<! <<<!!!<! <<<<<!<! !!!!<!<!...>/ to the machine depending on the value of
the binary data it can determine the velocity note pitch(shift mod values and signals sent from
modifiers on the MIDI instrument that have uni0ue identities and values on the machine the data is
being sent to -such as a low pass filter controller on an ambiguous dial on the MIDI Instrument/.
Since MIDI is raw data is does not have any sound to it therefore there needs to be a medium that
can translate the binary into sound. There are physical synthesi%ers that can process the data and
then there are D+,.s. D+,.s can
contain samples of instruments that
assign certain values to certain samples
and software synthesi%ers that are
essentially the physical synthesi%ers in a
software format that do the same ;ob.
Through MIDI Interface ?ontrollers
Multiple MIDI signals from many
different MIDI instruments can be sent
to one machine and also be controlled
by that one machine. Since MIDI data
can also be edited post recording of the
data it means that if mistakes are made
or there are issues with the sound they
can remedied very easily.
MIDI Keyboard Diagram of Line ! K"#$
1hones@ Aeadphone ;ack for a B.C'mm male audio connector.
+nalog 3ut@ Demale B.C'mm audio ;ack for left and right audio.
Monitor In@ Demale B.C'mm audio ;ack for receiving audio without latency.
Eine In@ Demale B.C'mm audio ;acks for receiving audio from slave MIDI Instruments in the chain.
Mic In@ Two 4E2 Demale ports for Microphones with 1hantom 1ower present.
8uitar In@ 8uitar Input.
1ad Switch@ +llows the usage of Doot pedals.
1hantom 1ower Switch@ +llows the usage of Microphones that re0uire F#G of power. ?ondenser Microphones need this powerH
S91DID 3ut@ 3utput for a S91DID cable to carry compressed Digital +udio.
USB@ USB port for a USB Type B connector.
Doot Switches@ Inputs for Doot(pedals
IJpression 1edal@ Input for Doot(1edal
=!> 1itch(Shift ,heel
=$> Modulation ,heel
=C> 3ctave Shift Selector
=F> Microphone Input Golume Dials
='> +ssignable Dials for Software Usage
=B> 3utput Golume Dials
=:> Gu Meters
=#> C 3ctaves of 1iano 7eys
=!>
=$>
=C>
=F>
='>
=B>
=:>
=#>
Digita% &udio Workstations
What is a D&W?
+ Digital +udio ,orkstation is a piece of
software that runs on a computer and acts
as a controller device piano roll and in
general organises and allows fleJibility with the creation of music. +
D+, is capable of receiving MIDI signals interpretation them and
editing them using software synthesi%ers and audio samples to create
and produce music. Through the development of MIDI D+,.s have
developed alongside them allowing all kinds of D+,.s to be created each with their own style and
platforms they work on. D+,.s such as Eogic and Druity Eoops can only work on their respective
platforms due to software limitations but programs such as +bleton Eive and Maschine work on
both platforms due to the way that they are programmed and designed.
,ith the wide variety of D+,.s available the 0uestion is what one
should you use. +nswer@ +ny. +s long as the D+, that you use
works for you then it.s absolutely fine though one must keep in mind
that the D+, they use will be limited in one way or another. Dor
eJample Eogic and DE Studio are both locked to their respective
platforms of Mac 3S and ,indows 3S. Both will do the same
functions but they do not have the same type of support. Dor eJample
DE Studio has native support for C$bit GST9GSTi plugins in BFbit
mode with a first party(support plugin to host +U plugins that are
native to M+? 3S in C$bit9BFbit mode. Aowever Eogic has to rely
on a third party plugin to be able to run GST..s while having native
support for +udio Units. 3n the flip(side Eogic has a huge
community basing allowing any issues that arise to answered 0uickly
and promptly by the community this can include even sharing music production methods and ideas
across the community. This is very similar to the ,indows ?ommunity vs Macintosh ?ommunity
Macintosh.s lack the community aspect but are virtually issue free while windows has 0uite the
handful of problems but has a huge community that work together to fiJ the problem.
If you wish to use MIDI you will need a D+, also since MIDI nowadays relies on D+,.s to do
the processing of data. Aowever there are some MIDI instruments out there that do not have to rely
on D+,S for processing and sound output.


'eatured D&W &rrange Windows

Eogic "
+bleton Eive "

Maschine $.<
DE Studio !!
They are all Uni0ue in
Their own way with
Eayout colour choices
Styles etc...
History of the D&W
The first instance of an instrument that a D+, shares some
similarities to today is that of the Barrel 3rgan in !F
th
century
this is where the first concept of the piano roll came into being.
Barrel 3rgans had rolls of paper within them that told what
notes the piano should play and for how long.
Synths
The earliest eJample of a electronic se0uencer was the
Ilectronium by 2aymond Scott. Designed in !"F# and looking
like a switchboard it was a synth and a piece of technology that
suggested ideas for the user to then build upon or take ideas
from. Eater step se0uencers offered the ability to se0uence notes
and play them via synths. This was achieved by recording up to !B steps and saving it as a pattern.

MIDI Development
The development of MIDI allowed
musical e0uipment to transmit data between
each other and could be used to control other
MIDI instruments. The first capable machine
that could save the note data and play it back
as well as create se0uences was the IMS
Synthi built in !":!.
The Dirst True D+,.s
During the rise of Steinberg and I(Magic
which both produced se0uencing software they
were bought out and changed the names from I(
Magic.s )otator Eogic to Eogic and SteinbergKs
1ro(!B was changed to ?ubase.
)owadays D+,.s are much much more
advanced than the predecessors and it shows
how D+,.s have changed with the
advancements of technology.
(onc%usion
How MIDI changed music?
MIDI has changed music by simply allowing anyone be able to
bcome a musical virtuoso with the use of MIDI. MIDI has
changed how artists look at and produce music the simplicity of
MIDI and the fact that you do not need to be able to play music
beforehand when composing or producing music. )ewer artists
use MIDI to help create their music generically MIDI is used in
the production of electronic styles for music since MIDI is very
useful for the se0uencing and looping of beats and notes. Music
trends have changed ever since the :<.s with the introduction of
MIDI. It started with simple uses of MIDI such as Dance but as
time progresses more genres emerge from the use of MIDI.
Trace Aardcore Iuro Ilectro Aouse and many more. This
changed the music scene drastically from the #<.s onwards with
the flagship 2oland Ilectric 7eyboard leading the way with it.s
synthesi%er leads and hooks.

1ros and ?ons
1ros@ MIDI loops are very small and compact since its all binary
Thier compact si%e allows audio files when they are uploaded much easier and faster to
upload
MIDI files are easily editiable and can have bits added or taken away or even changed in
many variables

?ons@ MIDI files are reliant on the playback devices or software for their 0uality and recording
To create MIDI files fluently and eJcel at producing them re0uires knowledge in musical
scores audio production and different musical instruments.
Thoughts on MIDIL
I honestly think the creation of MIDI and the
use of MIDI is a breath of fresh air that the
world of music needed. MIDI allows one
producer to do the work of many and allows
them the freedom of being able to create new
sounds and easily edit them and organise them.
Aowever MIDI cannot stand on its own where
it needs software and hardware to support the
use of MIDI. This can limit it in some factors
however I feel that MIDI works best in
producers hands where they know when and
where to use MIDI. Though MIDI does re0uire
a bit of prere0uisite knowledge it is simple and
easy to use for those who cannot play instruments. 3verall MIDI is truly a revolutionary invention.