What is the purpose of Midi?

[Lurk_R]

I've looked in the midi forum and some on here. If no one knows how to use this thing, what good is it? What does it do for you.

Sorry if I sound dumb, I grew up on a Teac reel to reel, and all this electronic stuff boggles the mind.

 

[Tifstorey]

I use alot of MIDI and i have to say there is a lot of point in it. MIDI (Music instrument digital interface) allows the user to play any kind of instrument she/he wants through into a pc. The way midi is sent from a keyboard into a computer is not by a musical way, but just an electronic signal which allows it to be hugely changed and manipulated to make different sounds etc. Ive been using MIDI for around 2 years now, and i use midi on nearly every track i do even if its for just a bit of slow attack strings in the background. I think instead of asking whats the point in it, you should experiment with it and see what it can do for you

 

[Commander]

Think of it in this way:

When you record to tape you record both the performance and the sound.
Midi separates the performance from the sound. The performance is recorded into the computer but the sound isn't, and depending on your system you can make the recorded performance play any sound you want without having to play it again.

It is an entire universe of possibilities and a fabulous tool.

 

[Lurk_R]

OK, I have a keyboard that has midi in and out. This is the part that sends the signal to the pc, right? Besides the cable, what will I need to use midi? Will I need software that reads midi, or whatever the pc does with it?

Lots of questions, I know. Please be patient till i figure this out.

 

[Rokket]

OK, I have a keyboard that has midi in and out. This is the part that sends the signal to the pc, right? Besides the cable, what will I need to use midi? Will I need software that reads midi, or whatever the pc does with it?

Lots of questions, I know. Please be patient till i figure this out.

You may need an interface. Check out these:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/fg=41/g=key/search?c=4893

 

[MichaelM]

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is basically a way for digital instruments (like your keyboard) to talk to computers, but it can also do much more than that. What happens is when you hit a key on the keyboard, it sends information down the midi out cable. This information isn't acually the sound that you hear, but information about what you just did. eg - At this time (midi has a time code), you hit this key, this hard, and held it for this long. Using this information your computer can record what you actually did in the performance, not the actual sound of it.

If you want to start playing with midi, you'll need midi sequencing software. Also you'll need a cable to go from the midi in/outs on your keyboard to your computer. Most joystick ports on a computer also double as midi ports. I've got a cable with midi in out (round din plugs) one end and a joystick plug on the other end.

With software, you can hit record and play something on the keyboard. The computer stores the data. When you hit play the data is sent back to your keyboard via the midi in plug, your keyboard uses this to play back what you recorded. You can also do other cool things using the sequencing software - eg, say one note is not quite in time with the rest. You can just open up a score of the recording, and move that note to the correct place.

Thats a basic overview, hope it helps a bit.

 

[Rokket]

Here's a link:

http://www.borg.com/~jglatt/tutr/miditutr.htm

This is some good reading...

 

[mikeh]

MIDI was introduced many years ago as a communication standard. When sequencers, drum machines and synths first came out, each company had it's own communication standard. A Roland device could not communicate (control) with a Korg, etc. etc.

So all the manufacturers agreed on a standard (MIDI) which would allow a keyboard player (or whoever) to integrate equipment from different companies into a set up.

Many people know how to use MIDI - some at a most basic level (sending note on & off commands - such as useing a keyboard to control a sound module) and some at very advance levels (using a computer to control multiple effects units, changing sounds mid song, etc. etc.)

If you have a MIDI controller - such as a keyboard - you do need a MIDI cable going out to whatever you are trying to control (such as a computer). You also need an interface to plug the MIDI cable into (such as a sound card) and you need software or hardware (module) to control.

The amount of MIDI control you utilize will depend on the capabilities of your equipment and your desire/ability to learn to use MIDI.

As soeone already said - MIDI capture a performance (vs. a recording medium that captures both the performance and the sound or the performance. MIDI acts much like the old player pianos. The paino played what the scroll told it to - and a synth (or computer) plays what MIDI tells it to.

There are dozens of books and on line data bases that provide a ton of info on how to use MIDI.