Introduction to MIDI
Ports
Cables
Synthesizers
Tone Modules
General MIDI Standard
MIDI Mapper
Sequencer
MIDI Keyboard
When to use MIDI
Building a Score
Record each Track
Editing Tracks
Storage Formats
Any musical instrument can become a MIDI device by having the correct hardware interfaces and MIDI messages processing capabilities. Devices communicate with each other by sending messages which are digital representations of a musical score. MIDI data may include items such as sequences of notes, timings, instrument designations and volume settings.
The standard Multimedia platform can play MIDI files through either internal or external synthesizers. External MIDI devices are connected to the computer via the sound card's MIDI port. MIDI expands the audio options available when developing multimedia. Use of MIDI is attractive because MIDI files require minimal storage space compared to digitized audio files, such as .WAV files.
The standard MIDI cable consists of a shielded, twisted-pair wire with male 5-pin DIN plugs connected to each end. This type of cable is used to connect MIDI devices together. The MIDI IN, OUT and THRU all use this type of cable.
A synthesizer is the device which produces sound. Generally it has
a built-in keyboard. There are several different methods used
in synthesizer technology to produce music instrument sounds.
By altering standard waveforms, such as the sign wave, a variety
of sounds can be produced. Another method of producing sound is
by playing back stored samples of real instruments. The newest
synthesizer technology employs powerful computer technology to
emulate musical instruments via mathematical algorithms which
represent certain aspects of an instrument (e.g. A bowed string,
pipe blown). This technology gives musicians the ability to
play a realistic instrument performance. New virtual instruments
can also be created (e.g. A violin that sounds when you blow in
one end).
There are two common standard types of synthesizers. They fall into the category of either Extended or Base devices.
Extended/Base Devices.
A base level synthesizer device only supports channels/tracks
13-16. The first three of these channel are used for the main
song parts. (e.g. Bass, Rhythm, Melody). Channel 16 is used as
a percussive track (e.g. Drums). All MPC systems should support
the base level.
Extended level devices support tracks 1-10. The first 9 are for melodic tracks while the tenth is used for percussion.
Most modern synthesizers allow all 16 track to be utilized and
it doesn't matter which tracks are used for which instruments.
When assigning various instruments to each track in a MIDI recording, a patch number is used to specify the instrument or sound to use. To help standardize which instruments should be located on individual patch numbers, the General MIDI specification was developed by the MIDI Manufacturer's Association (MMA).
0 Acoustic Grandpiano
1 Bright Acoustic Piano
2 Electric Grand Piano
3 Honky-Tonk Piano
4 Rhodes piano
5 Chorused piano
6 Harpsichord
7 Clarinet
8 Celesta
9 Glockenspiel
10 Music Box
11 Vibraphone
12 Marimba
13 Xylophone
14 Tubular Bells
15 Dulcimer
16 Hammond Organ
17 Percussive Organ
18 Rock Organ
19 Church Organ
20 Reed Organ
21 Accordion
22 Harmonica
23 Tango Accordion
24 Acoustic Guitar (nylon)
25 Acoustic Guitar (steel)
26 Electric Guitar (jazz)
27 Electric Guitar (clean)
28 Electric Guitar (muted)
29 Overdriven Guitar
30 Distortion Guitar
31 Guitar Harmonics
32 Acoustic Bass
33 Electric Bass (finger)
34 Electric Bass (pick)
35 Fretless Bass
36 Slap Bass 1
37 Slap Bass 2
38 Synth Bass 1
39 Synth Bass 2
40 Violin
41 Viola
42 Cello
43 Contra Bass
44 Tremolo Strings
45 Pizzicato Strings
46 Orchestral Harp
47 Timpani
48 String Ensemble 1
49 String Ensemble 2
50 Synthstrings 1
51 Synthstrings 2
52 Choir Aahs
53 Voice Oohs
54 Synth Voice
55 Orchestra Hit
56 Trumpet
57 Trombone
58 Tuba
59 Muted Trumpet
60 French Horn
61 Brass Section
62 Synth Brass 1
63 Synth Brass 2
64 Soprano Saxophone
65 Alto Saxophone
66 Tenor Saxophone
67 Baritone Saxophone
68 Oboe
69 English Horn
70 Basson
71 Clarinet
72 Piccolo
73 Flute
74 Recorder
75 Pan Flute
76 Bottle Blow
77 Shakuchi
78 Whistle
79 Ocarina
80 Lead 1 (square)
81 Lead 2 (sawtooth)
82 Lead 3 (calliope lead)
83 Lead 4 (chiff lead)
84 Lead 5 (charang)
85 Lead 6 (voice)
86 Lead 7(fifths)
87 Lead 8 (bass + lead)
88 Pad 1 (new age)
89 Pad 2 (warm)
90 Pad 3 (polysynth)
91 Pad 4 (Choir)
92 Pad 5 (bowed)
93 Pad 6 (metallic)
94 Pad 7 (halo)
95 Pad 8 (sweep)
96 FX 1 (rain)
97 FX 2 (sound track)
98 FX 3 (crystal)
99 FX 4 (atmosphere)
100 FX 5 (brightness)
101 FX 6 (goblins)
102 FX 7 (echoes)
103 FX 8 (sci-fi)
104 Sitar
105 Banjo
106 Shamisen
107 Koto
108 Kalimba
109 Bagpipe
110 Fiddle
111 Shanai
112 Steel Drums
113 Agogo
114 Steel Drum
115 Wood Block
116 Taiko Drum
117 Melodic Tom
118 Synth Drum
119 Reverse Cymbal
120 Guitar Fret Noise
121 Breath Noise
122 Seashore
123 Bird Tweet
124 Telephone Ring
125 Helicopter
126 Applause
127 Gun Shot
35 Acoustic Bass Drum
36 Bass Drum 1
37 Side Stick
38 Acoustic Snare
39 Handclap
40 Electric Snare
41 Low-Floor Tom
42 Closed High-Hat
43 High-Floor Tom
44 Pedal High-Hat
45 Low Tom
46 High-Hat
47 Low-Mid Tom
48 High-Mid Tom
49 Crash Cymbal 1
50 High Tom
51 Ride Cymbal 1
52 Chinese Cymbal
53 Ride Bell
54 Tambourine
55 Splash Cymbal
56 Cowbell
57 Crash Cymbal 2
58 Vibraslap
59 Ride Cymbal 2
60 High Bongo
61 Low Bongo
62 Mute High Conga
63 High Conga
64 Low Conga
65 High Timbale
66 Low Timbale
67 High Agogo
68 Low Agogo
69 Cabasa
70 Maracas
71 Short Whistle
72 Long Whistle
73 Short Guiro
74 Long Guiro
75 Claves
76 High Wood Block
77 Low Wood Block
78 Mute Cuica
79 Cuica
80 Mute Triangle
81 Triangle
Generally MIDI compositions are developed using a MIDI keyboard, which provides the source MIDI messages. However, other MIDI instruments such as electronic trumpets, saxophones and guitars, etc. can also produce MIDI messages.
A MIDI keyboard is essential to producing a quality song. Programming
the data directly into the sequencer would be far too time consuming
for complex arrangements.
It is possible to use both MIDI and digital audio at the sametime.
Creating your own music can be one of the most creative and rewarding aspects of developing multimedia. To do this, MIDI technology provides a quick, easy, and flexible infrastructure. However knowing music and how to play an instrument is only a prerequisite to working with MIDI. With MIDI, a combination of computer technology and music are brought together. To get the full benefit from MIDI you need a grasp of both music and its associated technology. Time, patience, hard work, and enthusiasm are the other ingredients required to produce outstanding musical results.
Recording MIDI is similar to recording waveform data except that events are captured and stored rather than the actual waveform. A MIDI file contains a series of messages that can inform a MIDI device how, what, and when to playback sounds. Events such as note pressed, firmness of note strike, and pitch change, are examples of MIDI messages.
MIDI allows a wide selection of channels which are known as tracks. We are no longer bound to two channels (i.e. mono and stereo). Many different sounds or instruments can be recorded. Each track is recorded individually, then additional tracks are recorded in synchronization with the initial timing. This allows the MIDI composer to build a music score by layering many different song parts.
The data for each track or channel is stored separately. All aspects
of a musical performance are editable. The musical score can be
manipulated by adding, removing, and changing individual notes
and their properties. New instruments' assignments can be made
to recorded tracks. Patterns can be created, modified, looped,
and duplicated to form a song framework. Volume, stereo panning
and other controller data can be adjusted.
Diagram of MIDI Editing System.
©1995, 1996
Creative Labs, Inc.