The MIDI Manufacturers Association was official established as a California nonprofit, 501(c)6 trade organization) in 1985 with the goal to expand, promote, and protect MIDI technology for the benefit of artists and musicians around the world.
In 2016, the MMA launched The MIDI Association, a public-facing, free, global, web-based community for people who create music and art with MIDI. Starting with no members at all, the MIDI Association now has over 30,000 registered individuals.
In April 2020, the United States Library of Congress selected MIDI.org for inclusion in the historic collection of Internet materials related to the Professional Organizations for Performing Arts Web Archive. It’s an honor that they consider the MIDI website to be an important part of this collection and the historical record.
The www.MIDI.org website is the central repository of information about all aspects of MIDI technology, from classic legacy gear to the next- gen protocols on the horizon.
With the continued success (and growing recognition) of The MIDI Association, the MMA has decided to unify the two brands under the name The MIDI Association.
The MIDI Manufacturers Association will remain the legal entity and there are no changes to the MMA bylaws, but the organization will do business as the MIDI Association.
Craig Anderton (MIDI Association President)
Athan Billias (Yamaha/MIDI Association COO)
Pete Brown (Microsoft)
Brett Porter (Art & Logic)
Kate Stone (Novalia)
Jean-Baptiste Thiebaut (Music Hackspace)
Yitian Zhao (CME)
The MIDI Association issues Manufacturer System Exclusive IDs to MIDI hardware and software producers world-wide (except Japan). These MIDI ID numbers allow developers to uniquely identify their products and provide a means for communicating product-specific information via MIDI protocol (using SysEx messages). The MIDI 1.0 Detailed Specification describes the format of SysEx messages, as well as all other MIDI messages that a developer may need to know to maintain industry compatibility.
The MIDI Association procedures for the assignment of System Exclusive ID numbers are designed to prevent conflicts and incompatibilities. Each developer is assigned a unique number, which is annually renewable. These numbers are not transferable nor assignable without MMA approval.
The MIDI Association publishes a list of every assigned System Exclusive ID number. Companies that are known to be producing products using their ID may be listed on www.midi.org along with a link to their company web site. Companies that are not current with their ID Fee may have the ID suspended or revoked and will be noted as such on the website.
MMA Members will have their Annual SysEx ID Fee waived for as long as they are members. Technical assistance is available to MMA Members via an assigned Tech Board representative.
Companies that do not want to become MMA Members may obtain a SysEx ID by completing a New SysEX ID Form.The applicant must pay the Annual ID Fee and agree to continue to pay the then-current fee in each calendar year during which they produce any products that use the ID.