🎼Electronic Music Composition Unit 6 – MIDI Sequencing Basics

What's MIDI and Why It Matters

• MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a protocol that allows electronic musical instruments, computers, and other devices to communicate and synchronize with each other
• Developed in the early 1980s to standardize communication between electronic musical instruments from different manufacturers
• MIDI transmits event messages, such as note on, note off, pitch bend, and controller data, rather than audio signals
• Enables the creation, recording, editing, and playback of music performances without the need for traditional audio recording
• Facilitates the control of multiple devices from a single controller, such as a MIDI keyboard or sequencer
• Allows for the creation of complex musical arrangements and performances that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional instruments
• Widely used in music production, live performances, and music education due to its versatility and compatibility

Getting Started with MIDI Sequencing

• MIDI sequencing involves recording, editing, and arranging MIDI data to create musical compositions or performances
• Begin by setting up your MIDI devices, such as a MIDI keyboard or controller, and connecting them to your computer or sequencer
• Choose a MIDI sequencing software (DAW) that suits your needs and workflow (FL Studio, Ableton Live, Logic Pro)
• Create a new project in your chosen software and set up the desired tempo, time signature, and track layout
• Familiarize yourself with the software's interface, tools, and features for recording, editing, and arranging MIDI data
• Experiment with different MIDI instruments, sounds, and patches to find the desired tones for your composition
• Start by creating simple patterns or loops, and gradually build upon them to create more complex arrangements

Essential MIDI Hardware and Software

• MIDI keyboard or controller for playing and recording MIDI data
  • Provides a tactile and intuitive way to input notes, chords, and other performance data
  • Often includes additional controls such as pitch and modulation wheels, knobs, and faders for real-time expression
• MIDI interface for connecting MIDI devices to a computer
  • Converts MIDI data between the device and the computer
  • Ensures proper synchronization and low-latency performance
• Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software for recording, editing, and arranging MIDI data
  • Provides a comprehensive environment for MIDI sequencing, audio recording, and music production
  • Includes virtual instruments, effects, and mixing tools
• Virtual instruments and sample libraries for generating sounds
  • Offer a wide range of high-quality sounds, from realistic acoustic instruments to synthesizers and electronic textures
  • Can be triggered and controlled via MIDI data

Recording MIDI Data

• Set up your MIDI devices and ensure they are properly connected and configured in your DAW
• Create a new MIDI track in your DAW and select the desired virtual instrument or output destination
• Choose the appropriate MIDI channel and input device for recording
• Enable recording mode in your DAW and start playing your MIDI keyboard or controller
• Capture your performance in real-time, including notes, velocities, and controller data
• Use the metronome or click track to maintain a consistent tempo and timing
• Record multiple takes or layers to capture different parts or variations of your performance
• Overdub or punch-in recording to fix mistakes or add additional notes without re-recording the entire performance

Editing and Manipulating MIDI

• Quantization aligns recorded MIDI notes to a specific grid or timing resolution to correct timing imperfections
  • Adjust the quantization settings to balance between human feel and rhythmic precision
  • Apply quantization selectively to specific notes, regions, or tracks
• MIDI piano roll editor provides a graphical representation of MIDI notes and allows for precise editing
  • Adjust note positions, durations, velocities, and pitches using the piano roll tools
  • Create and edit controller automation curves for parameters such as volume, panning, or modulation
• MIDI transform and logical editor tools enable advanced MIDI data manipulation
  • Perform batch operations, such as transposing, scaling velocities, or filtering specific events
  • Create custom rules and conditions to modify MIDI data based on specific criteria
• Copy, move, and duplicate MIDI regions or patterns to create repetitions, variations, or arrangements
• Use MIDI effects and plugins to process and transform MIDI data in real-time or as insert effects

Quantization and Timing Tricks

• Experiment with different quantization grid resolutions to find the right balance between tightness and human feel
  • Use a tighter grid (1/16 or 1/32 notes) for precise, electronic-style rhythms
  • Use a looser grid (1/8 or 1/16 note triplets) or no quantization for more organic, human-like performances
• Apply swing or groove quantization to add a rhythmic feel or to match the timing of a specific style or reference track
• Use iterative quantization to gradually tighten the timing while preserving some of the original performance nuances
• Manually adjust individual note positions or create custom quantization grids for unique rhythmic patterns or polyrhythms
• Utilize the humanize function to introduce subtle timing and velocity variations, simulating the imperfections of human performance
• Experiment with quantizing different elements (drums, bass, chords, melodies) to different grids or applying quantization selectively

MIDI Effects and Controllers

• MIDI arpeggiator effect creates rhythmic patterns and sequences based on the input MIDI notes
  • Customize the arpeggiator pattern, rate, octave range, and gate length to create various textures and rhythms
  • Synchronize the arpeggiator to the project tempo or use it in free-running mode for more organic patterns
• MIDI chord effect generates chords or harmonies based on single input notes
  • Define custom chord shapes, voicings, and inversions to create complex harmonic progressions
  • Use the chord effect to quickly create accompaniment parts or to experiment with different harmonic ideas
• MIDI velocity and dynamics controllers allow for real-time control of note velocities and expression
  • Assign velocity to a continuous controller (CC) such as a foot pedal, knob, or fader for dynamic performances
  • Use velocity curves and scaling to adjust the response and range of the velocity controller
• MIDI pitch bend and modulation controllers add expressive nuances to performances
  • Pitch bend wheel or lever for creating pitch slides, vibrato, or other pitch-related effects
  • Modulation wheel for controlling vibrato depth, tremolo, or other parameter modulations

Putting It All Together: Creating a MIDI Sequence

• Start with a basic sketch or idea, such as a chord progression, melody, or rhythmic pattern
• Create individual MIDI tracks for each element of your composition (drums, bass, chords, lead, etc.)
• Record or program the MIDI parts for each track, using the techniques and tools covered in previous sections
• Edit and refine the MIDI performances using quantization, piano roll editing, and MIDI effects
• Arrange the MIDI parts into a cohesive structure, using copy, move, and duplicate functions to create sections and variations
• Add automation and controller data to create dynamic changes and expression throughout the arrangement
• Experiment with different virtual instruments, patches, and layering to craft the desired sound and texture
• Use MIDI routing and layering techniques to create more complex and interesting sounds
  • Layer multiple virtual instruments on a single MIDI track to create rich, hybrid tones
  • Split a MIDI performance across multiple tracks or instruments using key ranges or velocity layers
• Continuously listen, evaluate, and iterate on your MIDI sequence until you achieve the desired result
• Mix and master your MIDI sequence in conjunction with any audio tracks to create a polished final production