A universal language for music technology, Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) is a technical standard that describes a communication protocol, digital interface, and electrical connectors. It connects a wide variety of electronic musical instruments, computers, and related audio devices for playing, editing, and recording music. When you play a note on a MIDI keyboard, it sends a MIDI message containing information about the note’s pitch, velocity (how hard you pressed the key), and duration. This message can trigger sounds on a synthesizer, control parameters on a drum machine, or even be recorded and edited in music software.
Communication Protocol
MIDI is a set of rules and specifications that define how devices exchange musical information. It uses discrete values and on/off states, unlike continuous analog signals.
Digital Interface
- Connectors: MIDI traditionally uses 5-pin DIN connectors, but nowadays, it can also be connected over USB.
What You Can Do With MIDI
- Play instruments remotely: Control a synthesizer with a MIDI keyboard or play drums on an electronic drum kit.
- Record and edit music: Capture your performance as MIDI data, which allows for precise editing of notes, timing, and other parameters.
- Create complex arrangements: Layer multiple instruments, synchronize different devices, and automate musical events.
- Experiment with sound design: Manipulate sounds creatively by controlling synthesizer parameters with MIDI.
Key Concepts in MIDI
- MIDI Messages: These are the units of information transmitted between MIDI devices. They contain instructions about notes, control changes, and other events.
- Channels: MIDI uses channels to separate different streams of musical data, allowing you to control multiple instruments independently.
- Controllers: MIDI controllers are devices that send MIDI messages. Keyboards, drum pads, and control surfaces are common examples.
MIDI has been a fundamental technology in music production since the 1980s, and it continues to be an essential tool for musicians and producers today.
