The baisics of midi and... related stuff.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Eleanor Fudd
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Eleanor Fudd

Eleanor Fudd

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I've got the basics of midi: sending a controller signal to a piece of software [virtual instrument] built into a sequencer, or into a standalone virtual instrument imported into the sequencer.... more or less. BUT - are there other ways of generating melodies electronically, without a midi-type external controller? If so, what are they?
Thanks very much.
 
Not exactly sure what you're asking. If you're asking can you program songs in a software sequencer (in the computer) without an external device then the answer is yes.

For example Cubase has a built in sequencer that you can use to add/edit notes in new or existing MIDI files.
 
TetraFish said:
Not exactly sure what you're asking. If you're asking can you program songs in a software sequencer (in the computer) without an external device then the answer is yes.

For example Cubase has a built in sequencer that you can use to add/edit notes in new or existing MIDI files.
Click to expand...

That is exactly what I was asking, thank you. Well then: what do you call it, and is it a common feature? Do most sequencers/DAWs have that feature? Is it a mouse clickey thing? Does it work well?
I mean, could you produce a complex melody with whole notes and 32nd notes, etc.?
Thanks again.
 
I think they do, If you have a specific one in mind just ask or do some googling. I've only really used cubase, It has a sequencer that you can use the mouse to click on a graph type screen to add a note at a specific beat in a specific bar and set the duration of the note. Each midi note also has a setting for velocity and you can also program pitch bends.
 
If you're good at general-purpose programming languages like C or JavaScript, you can write Virtual MIDI Machine scripts to play MIDI instruments.
 
TetraFish said:
I think they do, If you have a specific one in mind just ask or do some googling. I've only really used cubase, It has a sequencer that you can use the mouse to click on a graph type screen to add a note at a specific beat in a specific bar and set the duration of the note. Each midi note also has a setting for velocity and you can also program pitch bends.
Click to expand...

Thank you, but I'm not in that category.
 
TetraFish said:
Not exactly sure what you're asking. If you're asking can you program songs in a software sequencer (in the computer) without an external device then the answer is yes.

For example Cubase has a built in sequencer that you can use to add/edit notes in new or existing MIDI files.
Click to expand...

TetraFish, what is that called in Cubase, if you know?
Thank you.
 
In Sonar it's called Piano Roll view. It's a grid, laid out in whatever beat-per-measure length you want.

Then you use a draw tool to drop in notes where you want them. You can alter the duration of the notes, or drop all 8th or 16th notes or whatever.

Sonar also has a sequencer that you just click on the beat to select, and you can tie beats together to hold a note.
 
Most music recording programs (Logic, Cubase, Sonar, Reaper etc.) have midi capability. This allows you to all or some of:

1 Play a melody on a keyboard and record that
2 Enter notes of varying lengths and pitch using the mouse (as others have noted, usually in a Piano Roll view)
3 Type in notes and their duration (usually in a List Editor)

The midi can then be used to play a VSTi inserted on that channel, or can be directed out through the midi interface to play an external sound source.
 
Ah! So THAT'S what piano roll is? If a sequencer has piano roll, it is referring to that capability?

If so, great. Either way, thank for the explanations.
 
Look up some tutorials on youtube. FL Studio has a really nice piano roll and other midi tools and there are a ton of videos online that demonstrate its various features.
 
Perhaps not exactly what you were looking for, but some programs such a such Cubase have what is called a "virtual keyboard" which allows you to use your regular computer keyboard as a midi device. Its awkward to be sure, but with some work, its almost useable ;)
 
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