Midi - Alexander Appleton

8/10/2019 Midi - Alexander Appleton

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Introduction to

MIDI


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Introduction What is MIDI

MIDI is know as Musical Instrument Digital Interface. MIDI is one of the few ways thattechnology 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 otheror 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 thatsound more &human* than &machine*.

This is needed when creating

orchestral pieces of music or when

using samples instead of synths so

they dont sound rigid and blocky

within the composition. MIDI with

its huge versatility and capabilities of

manipulating almost any variable

makes it essential for composers and

producers alike.


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MIDI Types of MIDI Instrument

There are a huge amount of MIDI Instruments that are being producedby 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 $(: octavesand 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

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 areessentially 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.


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MIDI Keyboard Diagram of Line ! K"#$

1hones@ Aeadphone ;ack for a .C'mm male audio connector.

+nalog 3ut@ emale .C'mm audio ;ack for left and right audio.Monitor In@ emale .C'mm audio ;ack for receiving audio without latency.

Eine In@ emale .C'mm audio ;acks for receiving audio from slave MIDI Instruments in the chain.

Mic In@ Two 4E2 emale ports for Microphones with 1hantom 1ower present.8uitar In@ 8uitar Input.

1ad Switch@ +llows the usage of oot pedals.1hantom 1ower Switch@ +llows the usage of Microphones that re0uire F#G of power. ?ondenser Microphones need this powerHS91DI 3ut@ 3utput for a S91DI cable to carry compressed Digital +udio.

USB@ USB port for a USB Type B connector.oot Switches@ Inputs for oot(pedals

Jpression 1edal@ Input for oot(1edal

=!> 1itch(Shift ,heel=$> Modulation ,heel

=C> 3ctave Shift Selector=F> Microphone Input Golume Dials

='> +ssignable Dials for Software Usage=> 3utput Golume Dials

=:> Gu Meters=#> C 3ctaves of 1iano 7eys

=!> =$>

=C>

=F> ='>

=>

=:>

=#>


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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 ruity 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 its absolutely fine though one must keep in mind

that the D+, they use will be limited in one way or another. or

eJample Eogic and E 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. or eJample

E Studio has native support for C$bit GST9GSTi plugins in Fbit

mode with a first party(support plugin to host +U plugins that are

native to M+? 3S in C$bit9Fbit mode. Aowever Eogic has to rely

on a third party plugin to be able to run GSTs 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

Macintoshs 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.


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'eatured D&W &rrange Windows

Eogic "

+bleton Eive "

Maschine $.

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Midi - Alexander Appleton