MIDI revolutionized electronic music in the 1980s, enabling communication between instruments from different manufacturers. It allows for the exchange of musical performance data without audio recording, making it essential for modern music production and live performances.
MIDI messages consist of status and data bytes, conveying information about musical events and control functions. Key message types include Note On/Off, Pitch Bend, and Control Change, allowing for precise control of various musical parameters across 16 independent channels.
MIDI Fundamentals and Protocol
Fundamentals of MIDI protocol
- Developed in the early 1980s standardizes communication between electronic musical instruments from different manufacturers (synthesizers, drum machines, keyboards)
- Enables exchange of musical performance data (note on/off, pitch, velocity, other parameters) without the need for audio recording
- Widely used in electronic music production, live performances, music education
- Facilitates control of multiple instruments or devices from a single controller or sequencer (MIDI keyboard controlling software synthesizers)
- Enables creation of complex musical arrangements and automation of various parameters (tempo changes, filter sweeps, volume fades)
Components of MIDI messages
- Composed of series of bytes containing specific information about musical event or control function
- Status bytes indicate message type (note on/off, pitch bend, controller data)
- Most significant bit (MSB) always set to 1 in status byte
- Remaining bits define message type and MIDI channel (0-15)
- Data bytes contain actual information associated with message (note number, velocity, controller value)
- MSB always set to 0 in data byte
- Follow status byte and provide additional parameters for message
- Key MIDI messages:
- Note On: Indicates when note is pressed, specifying note number and velocity (0-127)
- Note Off: Indicates when note is released, specifying note number and velocity (0-127)
- Pitch Bend: Represents pitch bend wheel position, allowing for smooth pitch transitions
- Control Change (CC): Transmits various controller data (volume, pan, modulation, expression)
MIDI Channels, Tracks, and Ports
MIDI channels vs tracks vs ports
- MIDI Channels:
- 16 independent channels (numbered 0-15) for communication between devices
- Each channel can be assigned to specific instrument or sound, allowing for multi-timbral performances (multiple instruments playing simultaneously)
- MIDI messages include channel number, ensuring correct device receives and responds to message
- MIDI Tracks:
- In MIDI sequencer or DAW, tracks organize and record MIDI data
- Each track typically represents single instrument or layer in musical arrangement (drum track, bass track, lead synth track)
- Can contain MIDI messages from multiple channels, allowing for complex multi-instrumental compositions
- MIDI Ports:
- Physical or virtual connections through which MIDI data is sent and received
- Hardware MIDI ports include MIDI In, MIDI Out, and MIDI Thru connectors
- MIDI In receives incoming MIDI data from external device (MIDI keyboard)
- MIDI Out sends MIDI data to external device (hardware synthesizer)
- MIDI Thru passes received MIDI data to additional devices without modification
- Virtual MIDI ports allow communication between software applications or between software application and hardware device (VST instrument and DAW)
MIDI device configuration in DAWs
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Connect MIDI devices to computer using appropriate MIDI cables or USB-MIDI interfaces
- Ensure MIDI Out of controller is connected to MIDI In of receiving device, and vice versa
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In DAW, create new MIDI track and assign to desired MIDI input and output ports
- Select appropriate MIDI device from available input and output options in track settings (USB MIDI keyboard, hardware synthesizer)
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Set MIDI channel for track to match channel of connected MIDI device
- Ensures track receives and sends data on correct channel
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If using virtual instruments or software synthesizers, load desired instrument or patch on MIDI track
- Many DAWs provide range of built-in virtual instruments or support third-party plug-ins (Kontakt, Omnisphere, Serum)
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Test MIDI connection by playing connected MIDI controller and verifying DAW responds accordingly
- MIDI notes played on controller should trigger assigned virtual instrument or be recorded on MIDI track
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Adjust MIDI settings as needed (velocity sensitivity, pitch bend range, controller mappings)
- These settings can often be found in MIDI device's own control panel or within DAW's MIDI preferences