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Do you know what MIDI is?

psypig	Date: November 30, 2005 @ 10:57 AM At work i have to talk to a lot of people who think they know what they're talking about but really don't. One thing i have to explain to people all the time is MIDI. I'd quite like it if people could write a brief description here of what they think MIDI is, more as an experiment than anything else. Cheers from a cynical Yorkshireman.
jimbobber1985	Date: November 30, 2005 @ 11:28 AM think it stands for musical instrument digital interface. IMO its a pain in the feckin arse!
Alstroph	Date: November 30, 2005 @ 1:12 PM yes, that is what it stands for. sound fonts are better...most MIDI instruments sound like a really shitty rip off of the actual sound.
imemine	Date: November 30, 2005 @ 1:51 PM Midi of a format used for writing, storing, transporting and playing back musical notation through a sound producing device. Thus “Musical Instrument Digital Interface” aka MIDI. There are three components to Midi. 1)MIDI Messages ---It’s a protocol. A digital method of writing and storing data. 2)MIDI Transports ---method of connection (i.e. “midi Din”, USB, IEEE1394 etc 3)Standard MIDI Files ---These are what make the difference between cheesy and realistic. (well, as much as a computer can) Midi CAN use sound fonts and/or samples! Unless you actually meant loops? More indepth information from http://www.midi.org/ 1) MIDI Messages MIDI started out as a music description language in digital (binary) form. It was designed for use with keyboard-based musical instruments, so the message structure is oriented to performance events, such as picking a note and then striking it, or setting typical parameters available on electronic keyboards. For example, to sound a note in MIDI you send a "Note On" message, and then assign that note a "velocity", which determines how loud it plays relative to other notes. You can also adjust the overall loudness of all the notes with a Channel Volume" message. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument sounds to use, stereo panning, and more. The first specification (1983) did not define every possible "word" that can be spoken in MIDI, nor did it define every musical instruction that might be desired in an electronic performance. So over the past 20 or more years, companies have enhanced the original MIDI specification by defining additional performance control messages, and creating companion specifications which include: · MIDI Machine Control · MIDI Show Control · MIDI Time Code · General MIDI · Downloadable Sounds · Scalable Polyphony MIDI Alternate Applications MIDI Machine Control and MIDI Show Control are interesting extensions because instead of addressing musical instruments they address studio recording equipment (tape decks etc) and theatrical control (lights, smoke machines, etc.). MIDI is also being used for control of devices where standard messages have not been defined by MMA, such as with audio mixing console automation. 2) MIDI Transports Many different transports can be used for MIDI messages. The speed of the transport determines how much MIDI data can be carried, and how quickly it will be received. MIDI-DIN The MIDI DIN (or "5-Pin MIDI") transport (Figure 1, below) was considered adequate when it was developed as the standard for MIDI way back in 1983. It is relatively slow compared to other common transports available today, but you will find this same connector on most MIDI-equipped devices because it is still more than adequate for communication on one device. For systems with multiple devices (such as where a computer is used), other transports are often used. Serial, Parallel, and Joystick Ports Before USB and FireWire, personal computers were generally equipped with serial, parallel, and (possibly) joystick ports, all of which have been used for connecting MIDI-equipped instruments (through special adapters). Though not always faster than MIDI-DIN, these connectors were already available on computers and that made them an economical alternative. Unfortunately, many Joystick MIDI Adapters don't meet the electrical standards for MIDI, as defined by the MMA. High Speed Serial Ports (such as those available on early Macintosh computers) support communication speeds roughly 20 times faster than MIDI-DIN, making it possible for companies to develop and market "multiport" MIDI interfaces that connect multiple MIDI-DINs to the computer. In this manner it is possible to have the computer address many different MIDI-equipped devices at the same time. USB and FireWire More recent computers are all equipped with USB and/or FireWire connectors, and these are now most often used for connecting MIDI devices to computers. The MMA has approved a standard for MIDI over IEEE-1394 (FireWire). The MMA has not approved any specific standard for MIDI over USB, and so there are a number of different proprietary (manufacturer-specific) ways to send MIDI over USB, as well as a specification developed by the USB Implementors Forum (USB-IF). 3) Standard MIDI Files When MIDI messages are stored on disks, they are commonly saved in the Standard MIDI file format, which is slightly different from native MIDI protocol, because the events are also time-stamped for playback in the proper sequence. Music delivered by MIDI files is the most common use of MIDI today. MIDI is the primary source of music in many popular PC games and CD-ROM entertainment titles, and thousands of MIDI files are available on the Internet for recreational use. Just about every personal computer is now equipped to play Standard MIDI files. One reason for the popularity of MIDI files is that, unlike digital audio files (.wav, .aiff, etc.) or even compact discs or cassettes, a MIDI file does not need to capture and store actual sounds. Instead, the MIDI file can be just a list of events which describe the specific steps that a soundcard or other playback device must take to generate ceratin sounds. This way, MIDI files are very much smaller than digital audio files, and the events are also editable, allowing the music to be rearranged, edited, even composed interactively, if desired. For more information, go here. http://www.midi.org/
imemine	Date: November 30, 2005 @ 1:58 PM Gee's! That's supposed to be: Midi IS a format used for writing, storing, transporting and playing back musical notation through a sound producing device.
psypig	Date: November 30, 2005 @ 2:34 PM ok. keep em coming.
psypig	Date: November 30, 2005 @ 2:35 PM oh wait hang on. the answer is in imemines post... that means anyone who reads that will post the right answer.... fair play.
imemine	Date: November 30, 2005 @ 2:47 PM Oh a test huh---what you’re looking for is “binary language”---protocol!
shadowself	Date: November 30, 2005 @ 2:59 PM Wait, doesn't MIDI use hex?
imemine	Date: November 30, 2005 @ 5:58 PM I believe that it transmits binary that is translated to hex. Not sure though, I’m in over my head. What I do know is that I write music on a staff (or stave in you want)----pitch, time, velocity, etc is played through my sequencer into a sampler or synth in one of 16 channels and You have something that resembles music.
TameasDust	Date: November 30, 2005 @ 6:11 PM Ok midi is digital and soulless and sounds like crap ... what is done to the midi to make it sound alive ... THAT WAS MY QUESTION IN THE OTHER FORUM
imemine	Date: November 30, 2005 @ 6:23 PM Lots of things! Start with good sounding samples!!!!!! You can also use things like quantization, note duration shifts, velocity and timing variations even change pitches by semitones. You need to add SOME randomization to further humanize the feel of a groove making it less perfect or “soulless” as you put it. It can be quite time consuming and easily overdone in fact. Does THAT answer the question then?
TameasDust	Date: November 30, 2005 @ 7:53 PM thanks ... midi is ok as far as it goes ... but to make it truly listenable yah need more ... midi is only a tool
Veracohr	Date: November 30, 2005 @ 8:08 PM Some people, non-musicians, hear the word MIDI and think of the crappy little songs that play on their phones or computers with General MIDI soundsets. And when I explain that I use MIDI to sequence my music, they immediately think I make crappy little songs like those. Irritating.
TameasDust	Date: November 30, 2005 @ 8:21 PM well you don't ... your music lives
hueseph	Date: November 30, 2005 @ 8:22 PM MIDI can also be used to control effects in a live situation or even lighting. It's not lifless unless you make it lifeless. It has as much life as you put into it. For me it just replaces live musicians that I would rather have. But as it is I work alone.
INoxx	Date: November 30, 2005 @ 8:23 PM well reason use midi protocol and i don't think it sounds cheap, piano midi with a gm bank in a adlib soundcard sounds definitely cheap, but with a VST Bank of sample costing 300$ such as the Grand or Akoustik Piano, well it's another deal
jimbobber1985	Date: November 30, 2005 @ 8:46 PM how good it sounds is totally dependant on ur soundcard (or samples or soundfonts). the main problem with midi is that it uses a really crappy data rate (sumthin like 31.25kb/s) cos it was invented in the 80's. However, it has that one oh so major advantage that it is compatible with absolutely frickin everything. just wondering, does anyone here use midi messages (ie sysex, nrpn, rpn) to set up their sound card/s? also, just to clear it up, midi is transmitted as binary but, say you want to write a system exclusive message in cubase, you have to use hex. ok, midi quiz question 2.... which channel (1-16) is automatically assigned to drums??
jimbobber1985	Date: November 30, 2005 @ 8:50 PM or if thats too easy, what does this mean... F0 43 10 4C 08 09 07 02 F7
imemine	Date: November 30, 2005 @ 9:04 PM 10 for drums! F0 43 10 4C 08 09 07 02 F7 Means: Bring me a ham sandwich and a beer. F0 The first data byte the start of sysex, F7 The last byte end of the sysex stream The rest I have no freaking idea!
shadowself	Date: November 30, 2005 @ 9:12 PM Channel 10 is drums. And... I would have to get out my old notes from school to translate the control/data - I can't even remember how. Too long!
imemine	Date: November 30, 2005 @ 9:16 PM Where the hell is psypig? He owes me a F0 43 10 4C 08 09 07 02 F7!
jimbobber1985	Date: December 1, 2005 @ 11:33 AM so close imemine, its actually a bacon club sandwich... good try tho!
imemine	Date: December 1, 2005 @ 12:22 PM It's all about the pork!
BlackMage	Date: December 1, 2005 @ 12:32 PM Just a bunch of different commands and data.
psypig	Date: December 1, 2005 @ 12:39 PM that sysex thing could mean fucking anything depending on the gear you're sending it to. Jimbobber - i use control/program change messages to set up all my synths and samplers and other gubbinz. load up a project in cubase and BAM all the synths in my room are on the right patch with the right settings, ready to play the song. (i don't use a soundcard for sounds. thats what synths/samplers/musicians are for) Btw, Juno reactor rock my socks.
TameasDust	Date: December 1, 2005 @ 5:18 PM ok what makes it sound like this http://advance.dmusic.com/music/stream/hifi/271233/.9837bd2f/stream.m3u first thing I listen to this ... aaaaahhhhh my ears
hueseph	Date: December 1, 2005 @ 7:28 PM What makes it sound like that is cheesy GM synths and the person that "made" the song.(in my opinion you don't write music like that, you cut and paste it.) At any rate. If you use Cubase or Live or any other sequencer/multitrack software, you are probably using some form of midi data. I use midi directly strictly for drum patterns and key parts that I don't have the gear to reproduce otherwise. (strings/percs/horns.) You're confusing midi with the cheap synth sounds in most peoples sound cards.
koiulpoi	Date: December 23, 2005 @ 1:59 AM By the way people, Hex is just shorthand binary. What often makes MIDI 'soulless' and 'bland' and 'assey' is how it's used. Please remember - it's all in HOW the tools are used. The best tools will make a pro sound better, but if you suck, you're gonna put out hot trash no matter what amazing stuff you're working on. Give a novice guitar player a 20,000 dollar classical and he's still going to sound like a novice. Give that same guitar to someone who's been playing for 30 years and he's gonna get amazing sound out of it. Understand? Go listen to dkeifer's music. He's using fl 3.1 with no piano roll support and very old sounds. Yet he makes it sound amazing.
jack	Date: December 26, 2005 @ 1:25 PM I suppose that's one way to put it.