Core MIDI 2.0 specifications now available. Click here to download You must be logged in as a TMA member to download the spec. Clicking on the link will take you to the signup page to either create an account or log in.  On Sunday, January 19, 2020 at the Annual Meeting of the MIDI Manufacturers Association, the complete suite of MIDI 2.0 spec...

For more details on MIDI 2.0, see this article on the site.  Details about MIDI 2.0™, MIDI-CI, Profiles and Property Exchange -   Core MIDI 2.0 specifications now available. Click here to download You must be logged in as a TMA member to download the spec. Clicking on the link will take you to the signup page to either create an acco...

USB and MIDI MIDI has stayed relevant for over 30 years by adapting to the different ways that computers send information to and from external devices. MIDI can now be sent over 5 Pin DIN, Serial Ports, USB, Firewire, Ethernet, Bluetooth and more. But currently the most prevalent way to connect to computers, tablets and smartphones is USB...

One of the biggest recent developments in MIDI is MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE). MPE is a method of using MIDI which enables multidimensional controllers to control multiple parameters of every note within MPE-compatible software.  In normal MIDI, Channel-wide messages (such as Pitch Bend) are applied to all notes b...

​About Android MIDI​ In 2015 Android introduced MIDI support. Android has billions of users which means there's a whole lot of people with MIDI compatible devices in their pocket! In this article I'll explore the most popular types of MIDI applications on Android and how to choose the right MIDI API when developing your own app. Common types of MID...

Part 3: MIDI Messages The MIDI Message specification (or "MIDI Protocol") is probably the most important part of MIDI. MIDI is a music description language in digital (binary) form. It was designed for use with keyboard-based musical instruments, so the message structure is oriented to performance events, such as picking a note and then striking it...

Editors note: This article was written before the MMA published an official standard for using TRS adapters with MIDI devices, and simply describes the TRS connectors that exist in the market. Future products should use the MMA Specification if they want to be interoperable.  Download the MMA Specification In the past few years, MIDI...

​Here is a collection of tutorials on MIDI which is a great place to get started.  For quick access to a list of all MIDI Messages, see our Reference Tables section. Why MIDI Matters -   MIDI is like air, it's all around you, most of the time you can take it for granted, but if you are a digital musician you probably couldn't live wi...

What MIDI does, how to use it, how devices are connected, and more. pdf File Name: An Introduction to MIDI File Size: 2.1 mb Download File

We put together a series of articles about the history of electronic music and MIDI. Here are links to the series. MIDI History:Chapter 1- 850 AD to 1850 AD - To really understand the origins of MIDI, you need to go all the way back to before there were digitally controlled synthesizers and computers, In fact you need to go back before there w...

Standard MIDI Files ("SMF" or *.mid files)   Standard MIDI Files ("SMF" or *.mid files) are a popular source of music on the web, and for musicians performing in clubs who need a little extra accompaniment. The files contain all the MIDI instructions for notes, volumes, sounds, and even effects. The files are loaded into some form of 'player' ...

MIDI (pronounced "mid-e") is a technology that makes creating, playing, or just learning about music easier and more rewarding. Playing a musical instrument can provide a lifetime of enjoyment and friendship. Whether your goal is to play in a band, or you just want to perform privately in your home, or you want to develop your skills as a music com...

Introduction The Arduino UNO is a popular open-source microcontroller that, in many respects, is a perfect complement to the extensible nature of the Music Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) protocol. Microcontroller platforms such as Arduino, Teensy, and others, make it relatively easy to develop custom MIDI controllers that respond to light, pre...

Part 2: MIDI Cables & Connectors Many different "transports" can be used for MIDI messages. The speed of the transport determines how much MIDI data can be carried, and how quickly it will be received. 5-Pin MIDI DIN Using a 5-pin "DIN" connector, the MIDI DIN transport was developed back in 1983, so it is slow compared to common high-spee...

If you want to use MIDI with either pre-MIDI analog synths or with modular Eurorack analog synth systems, you need to convert digital MIDI signals into analog voltages.  Fortunately, there are lots of options.  We've selected the top 5 MIDI to CV convertors, but there are tons of choices.  The first three are Euro...

​ Instructables is a site which hosts DIY projects and is a platform for people to share what they make through words, photos, video and files. We have gone through the many MIDI DIY projects  and picked our some of our favorite projects.  To see all the MIDI projects that are available on the site, just...

MIDI is like air, it's all around you, most of the time you can take it for granted, but if you are a digital musician you probably couldn't live with out it. MIDI is inside musical instruments, computers, tablets, smart phones, stage lighting, audio mixers, and many other products from well-known international companies including Apple, Gibso...

The MIDI Manufacturers Association (MMA) has released a Specification for use of TRS Connectors with MIDI Devices. It is available for free download by MIDI Association members. The document defines how to wire "TRS" (tip-ring-sleeve) connectors for use with MIDI devices, and describes the necessary device circuitry and cable specifications to supp...

Do It Yourself MIDI ​With the boom in open-source electronics platform like Arduino and the growth of 3-D printers, it's become easier and easier to create your own MIDI controller. We wanted to introduce you to some of the people and companies who helped create the DIY MIDI revolution. Moldover- The Godfather of Controllerism M...

 Unlike audio file formats like MP3 files and CDs, MIDI files contain individual instructions for playing each individual note of each individual instrument. So with MIDI it is actually possible to change just one note in a song, or to re-orchestrate an entire song with entirely different instruments. And since each instrument in a MIDI p...

The Web MIDI API connects your MIDI gear directly to your browser. Your browser connects you to the rest of the world. MIDI hardware support has been available for a long time in Windows, Mac OS, iOS and most computer/tablet/smart phone platforms through USB, WiFi and even Bluetooth interfaces. But until now, there has been no standard mechani...

Make quantization work for you, not against you  Quantization is the process of moving MIDI data (usually notes, but also potentially other data) that's out of time to a rhythmic "grid." For example, if a kick drum is slightly behind the beat, quantization can move it right on the beat. Quantization was controversial enough when it was limited...

RTP-MIDI (IETF RFC 6295) is a specification for sending/receiving standard "MIDI 1.0" messages using standard networking protocols ("Real Time Protocol" and "Internet Protocol"). RTP-MIDI includes a data recovery mechanism (MIDI event journaling) to address packet loss that can occur on networks, eliminating the need for packet retransmission (whic...

Alternative Controllers A keyboard isn't the only means of playing a synthesizer. Synthesist/multi-instrumentalist/composer Kevin Fortune (http://www.kevinbrahenyfortune.com) is one of many who enjoy using alternative controllers. He believes the kind of controller you use not only directly influences the type of music you create, but it also can l...