What is MIDI Exactly?
MIDI is nothing more than data -- a set of instructions. MIDI data files are perfect for karaoke machines, because they allow the machine to easily change pitch for different vocal ranges. Pitch Wheel Change signals that the pitch of the note has been bent with the keyboard's pitch wheel. The Note On message includes instructions for what key was pressed and at what velocity (how hard the note was played). Polyphonic Key Pressure is a measurement of how hard a key is pressed once it "bottoms out." On some keyboards, this adds vibrato or other effects to the note. Most sequencing software also comes with a host of virtual knobs, faders and effects. Now let's look at the basics of MIDI sequencers, also known as multi-track recording software. The standard MIDI connector is the five-pin MIDI DIN that attaches to the joystick port of a PC soundcard. Or you can invest in a small MIDI USB or Firewire adapter that easily plugs into the USB or Firewire port of a desktop PC or laptop. Now let's talk about virtual instruments, one of the coolest advantages of making music with MIDI. Short for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, MIDI is the one and only standard by which electronic musical instruments, computers, software and other digital controllers share musical information.
When you record music onto a computer using MIDI, the software saves this list of messages and instructions as a .MID file. For more information on music technology and related topics, check out the links on the next page. Most virtual instruments and sampler plug-ins are programmed using something called Virtual Studio Technology (VST), an open codec introduced by Steinberg in 1996. VST plug-ins can be dragged and dropped directly into Steinberg's sequencing and recording programs, Cubase and Neundo. This device, usually a keyboard, is called the controller. For a simple MIDI recording setup, all you need is a MIDI synthesizer or controller connected to a computer, plus some kind of sequencer software. Another type of virtual instrument is a software sampler. Using a single MIDI-enabled keyboard, for example, a musician can play audio on two or three synthesizers, a drum machine and a sampler. A sampler allows you to press a button to play back a sound file, maybe a vocal shout or an audio quote from a movie.
The .MID file will sound a little different on each device because the audio sources are different. If you play the .MID file back on an electronic keyboard, the keyboard's internal synthesizer software follows the instructions to play back the song. The software allows you to export your file as an MP3 or WAV and burn them onto a a CD. These MIDI controllers don't come with hundreds of preloaded sounds and effects because they generate all of their audio through third-party hardware and software. And since this is a MIDI interface, you can even add extra effects and capabilities -- like the ability to play more notes at the same time. When the musician presses a key on his keyboard, it generates MIDI data -- which key he pressed, how long he held it down, how hard he pressed it -- that tells the other instruments exactly what notes to play and how to play them. MIDI was invented in 1983 as a simple way for a single musician to control multiple electronic instruments at the same time. A young musician no longer needs to spend thousands of dollars on expensive musical instruments and hours in a professional recording studio. Post has been cre at ed by GSA Content G enerator Demov ersion.
Software packages like Pro Tools and Reason allow anyone to make professional quality music at home using an endless arsenal of virtual instruments. Plus there are special foot pedals and elaborate control consoles with dozens of knobs and faders for professional quality mixing. There are wind instrument synthesizers that look like plastic clarinets, but can be adjusted to play like a saxophone. This makes MIDI a great choice for memory-starved devices like cell phones and video games. Cell phones use .MID files to play elaborate ringtones. Once the percussion track is recorded, for example, you can play it back and record over it with the bass line. It just sends out the MIDI messages telling the other instruments what to play. But MIDI is no longer confined to just making music. The combination of MIDI and powerful home computers has changed the way people make music. And MIDI data also can help synchronize recording equipment in a large studio.
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