MIDI Over Ethernet (etc.)
Introduction
First of all, a disclaimer: This article is not intended to be a primer on Ethernet technology, nor is it even our intent to be accurate in our use of the term. Rather, as the parenthetical "etc." in the title is mean to convey, the term "Ethernet" when used herein is meant to apply to products that are fully compliant with the IEEE meaning(s) of Ethernet, as well as to apply to products which use the same cables and physical layer as Ethernet but packetize the data differently.
The idea to use Ethernet to move MIDI data faster and among more devices is certainly not new. A quick search of the Internet for "MIDI" + Ethernet" will reveal numerous solutions, though most of them are focused on a specific market area (such as Show Control) or even one specific user (such as a University). Apparently, the lack of a vibrant commercial market for Ethernet/MIDI products is not due to a lack of technology as much as it is due to other factors.
Ethernet and the MIDI Industry
In 2000 the MMA's Transport Layer Working Group -- which is responsible for evaluating and recommending alternate (not MIDI-DIN) methods for transporting MIDI data to assure that such transports meet the needs of the MIDI industry and its customers -- began a study of MIDI over Ethernet. Lead by researcher and software developer Jim Wright (IBM Watson Labs), the group identified potential differences in expected performance between MIDI-DIN and other transports, and noted that MIDI over Ethernet could provide improvements in some areas but also posed significant challenges compared to MIDI DIN. Jim's work did not lead to specific conclusions by MMA, but was deemed important enough that the MMA agreed to allow Jim to publish the work (which can be found at http://www.openmuse.org) to help developers be aware of the issues and reach their own conclusions.
In the MIDI industry there is not yet agreement on the market need for MIDI over Ethernet, nor on the net value of the improvements vs. challenges of Ethernet, and so there is currently no MMA effort to adopt a standard for MIDI over Ethernet. However, there are other Standard Setting Organizations that are developing specifications for MIDI Over Ethernet, and we think it appropriate that people know about all potential standards. As mentioned above, there are numerous other solutions for MIDI Over Ethernet, but because they are not being considered for standardization we feel they are not appropriate topics for public discussion by MMA.
IETF RTP-MIDI
The IETF RTP-MIDI solution has received extensive modification in response to comments by MMA-members, and is also the foundation of Apple's own MIDI Over Ethernet solution. Though neither solution has been officially adopted or endorsed in any way by MMA, both technologies have stood up to MMA member scrutiny and so are likely to appear (in one manner or another) in future MIDI hardware and/or software products.
IEEE P1639
The IEEE P1639 working group was formed in 2002 based on a proposal by Phil Kerr of the University of Glasgow. Anyone interested in the official records and reports of the working group should contact IEEE. Our own experience with the group has been limited, despite many attempts to identify the participants and become actively involved in the discussions. Our current understanding is that the group has a new leader (Mr. Kerr resigned) but we have no information on the number of active participants nor the group's progress nor work plan. We have been in touch with the group leader and are hoping to have more information soon.
Ethernet-MIDI Resources
If you have a resource you'd like listed here, please let us know. We also invite comments on how we can improve this document.