Midi Clueless

[xkapin_reelity]

Hey Guys

I was wondering if anyone could briefly explain the benefits of using midi for recording. IE... I have the Digitech RP2000 w/ Midi Output/Input and the Alesis D4 Drum Module with Midi Output / Input, both also have the standard instrument out as well that I've been using. I'm wondering if there is an advantage if I use Midi instead. Also if I should try out midi, any suggestions on budget friend interfaces?

Thanks In Advance!

 

[mikemorgan]

Midi is a language of 0's and 1's. A sequencer uses midi events like the holes on a player piano roll, to trigger notes and events like volume at specific times throughout the piece. You drum module can be used to "play" the notes it receives from a sequencer. The midi connection on your guitar device can be used to send midi to a sequencer for patch storage and can probably accept some real-time midi control ( if you wanted your computer to operate your wah pedal for instance).

The only recording you might do with these two devices would be to use the DM4 as a sound module with a drum set. Playing electronic drums through the DM4 would give you the option to record the audio from the module and the Midi Info from the Midi OUT.

 

[DarkFriend]

I used to have the same question, now I'm a 100% convert. Benefits of recording tracks via MIDI are endless. First, you can go back and tweak the tracks at any point up to final mixdown. Don't like the way that snare sounds? Change it out with another snare. Second, you can copy and paste performances to different tracks. For example, copying a keyboard track from one to another, slightly changing the second track, and then doubling them in the mix. Third, if you are an average player on one particular instrument, MIDI helps you get notes perfectly. Drumming is a great example. I'm an okay drummer, but the parts in my songs are more complex than I can play. MIDI lets you create drum parts that are exactly as you hear them in your head.

There's an art to creating realistic MIDI tracks. Unless you create synth pop songs, you don't necessarily want every note quantized and perfectly on beat. But there are MIDI tools in all good workstations that let you tweak each note individually.