🎚️Music Production and Recording Unit 6 – MIDI Sequencing & Programming Basics

What's MIDI?

• MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a protocol for communication between electronic musical instruments, computers, and related devices
• Enables the exchange of musical performance data, such as note on/off events, pitch, velocity, and other parameters
• Does not transmit audio signals, but rather digital messages that describe musical events and control information
• Allows for the creation, editing, and playback of musical performances using electronic instruments and software
• Facilitates the integration of various musical devices and software, enabling them to work together seamlessly
• Supports up to 16 channels, allowing for the control of multiple instruments or tracks simultaneously
• Provides a standardized way for musicians and producers to create, manipulate, and store musical data

MIDI Hardware and Connections

• MIDI devices include keyboards, drum machines, controllers, sound modules, and interfaces that send and receive MIDI messages
• MIDI keyboards are the most common input devices, featuring piano-style keys and various controls for sending MIDI data
  • Many MIDI keyboards also include additional controls such as pitch and modulation wheels, sliders, and knobs for expressive control
• MIDI controllers are designed to send MIDI messages without necessarily having piano-style keys (drum pads, wind controllers, or guitar-style controllers)
• Sound modules are hardware devices that receive MIDI data and generate audio based on the received messages
• MIDI interfaces connect MIDI devices to computers, allowing for the exchange of MIDI data between hardware and software
• MIDI connections use 5-pin DIN cables to transmit data between devices
  • MIDI OUT sends data from the device
  • MIDI IN receives data from another device
  • MIDI THRU passes received data to another device without modification
• USB and Ethernet connections are also used for MIDI data transfer, offering faster data rates and more flexible connectivity options

MIDI Messages and Channels

• MIDI messages are digital instructions that communicate musical events and control information between devices
• Note On and Note Off messages indicate when a note is played or released, including pitch and velocity data
• Pitch Bend messages allow for continuous pitch control, typically using a pitch wheel or similar controller
• Control Change (CC) messages are used to adjust various parameters such as volume, pan, modulation, and effects
• Program Change messages instruct a device to switch to a specific preset or patch, changing the instrument or sound
• System Exclusive (SysEx) messages are manufacturer-specific and can be used for advanced control and configuration of devices
• MIDI channels allow for the independent control of up to 16 different instruments or tracks within a single MIDI connection
  • Each channel can have its own instrument, volume, pan, and other settings
  • Channels are used to route MIDI messages to specific devices or software instruments, ensuring that each message reaches its intended destination
• MIDI messages are prioritized, with certain messages (such as System Real-Time) taking precedence over others to ensure accurate timing and synchronization

Sequencing Basics

• MIDI sequencing involves recording, editing, and playing back MIDI data to create musical performances
• Sequencers can be hardware devices or software applications that capture and store MIDI messages
• Recording MIDI data involves playing a MIDI instrument or controller while the sequencer captures the performance
  • Sequencers typically record note events, pitch bend, and other control messages
  • Some sequencers also support step recording, allowing users to input notes one at a time
• Playback of recorded MIDI data sends the stored messages back to the connected MIDI devices or virtual instruments, recreating the original performance
• Sequencers often display MIDI data in a piano roll or event list format, making it easy to view and edit individual notes and events
• Quantization is the process of aligning recorded MIDI notes to a specific grid, correcting timing inconsistencies and improving rhythmic accuracy
• Most sequencers support multiple tracks, allowing for the creation of complex, multi-instrumental arrangements
• MIDI sequencing is non-destructive, meaning that the original MIDI data can be edited, rearranged, or deleted without affecting the source material

Programming MIDI Tracks

• Programming MIDI tracks involves creating and editing MIDI data within a sequencer to compose or arrange musical parts
• MIDI tracks can be created by recording live performances, step recording individual notes, or drawing notes directly in the piano roll or event list
• Each MIDI track typically represents a single instrument or sound, and can have its own MIDI channel, patch, and other settings
• Editing MIDI notes allows for precise control over pitch, timing, duration, and velocity
  • Notes can be moved, copied, deleted, or altered to refine the musical performance
  • Velocity editing can be used to adjust the dynamics and expressiveness of individual notes or phrases
• MIDI controllers and automation can be used to add real-time expression and variation to programmed tracks
  • For example, pitch bend data can be added to create slides or vibrato, while modulation data can be used to control vibrato depth or other effects
• Layering multiple MIDI tracks can create rich, complex textures and harmonies
• MIDI tracks can be looped, copied, and rearranged to build longer compositions or variations on a theme
• Programmed MIDI tracks can serve as a foundation for further editing, arrangement, and production, or can be used as the final musical performance

Editing and Manipulating MIDI Data

• MIDI data can be extensively edited and manipulated within a sequencer or DAW to refine and shape musical performances
• Note editing allows for the precise adjustment of pitch, timing, duration, and velocity for individual notes or groups of notes
  • Notes can be moved, copied, deleted, or transposed to create new melodic or harmonic patterns
  • Note lengths can be adjusted to change the rhythmic feel or to create staccato or legato articulations
• Quantization is used to align MIDI notes to a specific grid, correcting timing inconsistencies and improving rhythmic accuracy
  • Quantization settings can be adjusted to preserve some human feel while still correcting major timing issues
  • Swing quantization can be applied to create a more relaxed, syncopated feel
• Velocity editing can be used to adjust the dynamics and expressiveness of MIDI notes
  • Velocity curves and scaling can be applied to shape the overall dynamic contour of a phrase or track
  • Velocity randomization can add subtle variations to repeated notes or phrases, creating a more human-like performance
• MIDI data can be transposed to change the key or pitch of a track without altering its rhythmic or melodic content
• MIDI events such as pitch bend, modulation, and aftertouch can be edited to add expressive nuances to a performance
• MIDI data can be cut, copied, and pasted within a track or between different tracks to create new arrangements or variations
• MIDI processing tools such as arpeggiators, chord generators, and scale quantizers can be used to quickly create complex patterns or to conform MIDI data to specific musical scales or modes

MIDI Controllers and Virtual Instruments

• MIDI controllers are hardware devices designed to generate and send MIDI data to control software or hardware instruments
  • Common MIDI controllers include keyboards, drum pads, wind controllers, and guitar-style controllers
  • Many MIDI controllers feature additional controls such as sliders, knobs, and buttons for real-time manipulation of various parameters
• Virtual instruments are software synthesizers or sample libraries that generate sound based on received MIDI data
  • Virtual instruments can emulate the sounds of real-world instruments (pianos, guitars, drums) or create entirely new and unique sounds
  • Most virtual instruments respond to MIDI messages such as note on/off, pitch bend, and control change messages
• MIDI controllers can be mapped to specific parameters within virtual instruments, allowing for real-time control and expression
  • For example, a MIDI keyboard's pitch wheel can be mapped to control a virtual instrument's pitch bend range, while a modulation wheel can be assigned to control vibrato depth or filter cutoff frequency
• Many virtual instruments also feature built-in MIDI learn functionality, allowing users to quickly assign MIDI controllers to specific parameters by simply moving the desired control
• MIDI controllers can be used to record live performances into a sequencer or DAW, capturing the nuances and expressions of a player's technique
• Multiple MIDI controllers can be used simultaneously to control different aspects of a virtual instrument or to layer multiple instruments for a more complex sound
• The combination of MIDI controllers and virtual instruments provides a powerful and flexible environment for music production, allowing for the creation of highly expressive and dynamic performances

Practical Applications in Music Production

• MIDI sequencing and programming are essential tools in modern music production, allowing for the creation, editing, and arrangement of musical performances
• MIDI data can be used to control virtual instruments, hardware synthesizers, or sample libraries, providing access to a vast array of sounds and textures
• MIDI sequencing allows for the creation of complex, multi-layered arrangements, enabling a single producer to compose and perform multiple parts
• MIDI editing tools enable producers to refine and perfect performances, correcting timing errors, adjusting dynamics, and adding expressive nuances
• MIDI automation can be used to create dynamic changes in a track, such as evolving filter sweeps, complex modulation patterns, or time-synced effects
• MIDI data can be easily transposed, rearranged, or repurposed, facilitating experimentation and creative exploration during the production process
• MIDI tracks can be used as placeholders for live recordings, allowing producers to create detailed arrangements and guide tracks for musicians
• MIDI data can be exchanged between different DAWs and software applications, enabling collaboration and integration with other production tools and workflows
• Many hardware synthesizers and drum machines can be controlled via MIDI, allowing producers to integrate classic and modern hardware instruments into their productions
• MIDI sequencing and programming skills are valuable assets for composers, arrangers, and producers working in various genres, from electronic and pop music to film scoring and video game soundtracks