In 2023, MIDI celebrates its 40th birthday. The universal language of synths, controllers, and electronic instruments, MIDI 1.0 revolutionised music in the 1980s. Now, MIDI 2.0 is poised to unleash a second revolution. Massively extended and reimagined for the computer age, yet fully backwards compatible, MIDI 2.0 opens up endless possibilities for creative developers.
A joint initiative created by Music Hackspace, The MIDI Association, and NAMM, The MIDI Innovation Awards are now in their third year. The Awards showcase products and projects that are using MIDI 1.0 and 2.0 in fresh and original ways, highlighting the role that MIDI technology has to play in enabling musical creativity.
Musicians and inventors around the world competed for a unique opportunity to present their ideas on a global stage. The winners gain invaluable help in bringing their products to market. Prizes include an exhibition booth at the 2023 NAMM Show, coverage in Sound On Sound, an opportunity to exhibit at Music China, and significant support from The MIDI Association and Music Hackspace for the development of MIDI 2.0 prototypes.
Exquis by Intuitive Instrument is an expressive MPE controller and intuitive software to produce, perform and learn music
Camelot Pro by Audio Modeling is one program to rule them all: MIDI patchbay/router, setlist manager, digital mixer, software instrument and effects host, PDF music score display, multitrack audio player
HITar by Andrea Martelloni is an augmented guitar for percussive fingerstyle, using AI to transform the body into an expressive MIDI controller for rich multi-dimensional control of drum synthesisers.
Netz by Max Graf is an immersive mixed reality musical instrument and controller featuring a keyboard-like interface with expressive MPE MIDI that learns your gestures using AI.
Sound Sculpture by Ryan Edwards, Masary Studios, is an interactive musical instrument, comprised of 25 location-aware cubes. It is a physical sound and light environment that facilitates cooperative sound composition.
Jean-Michel Jarre is a pioneering French composer and performer in electronic music, renowned for his innovative use of synthesizers and spectacular live performances.
Nina Richards is both an electronic musician and synth hardware designer based in the UK. Nina's been making electronic music for most of her life, in recent years with modular synths.
Roger Linn is an American engineer, musician, and inventor, celebrated for his pioneering work in electronic music instruments, including the LM-1 Drum Computer and the LinnStrument.
Michele Darling is a distinguished sound designer, composer, and educator, currently serving as the assistant chair of Electronic Production and Design at Berklee College of Music.
Bian Liunian is a Chinese composer and multi-instrumentalist, pioneering new Chinese folk music through his innovative fusion of traditional instruments and modern technology.
Pedro Eustache is a Venezuelan-born multi-directional soloist and composer, renowned for his expertise in flutes, reeds, and world winds, with a distinguished career in electronic music.
Martin Keary is a composer and UX designer, and author of YouTube channel Tantacrul. The channel focuses on video essays about music and visual design, and is known for its combination of surreal humor and informative content on music.
Look Mum No Computer (aka Sam Battle) is a British musician, synth maker, and author of the YouTube channel Look Mum No Computer. The channel focuses on the creation of musical machines, from modular synthesizers to flame throwing keyboards. Look Mum No Computer also runs a museum: This Museum Is Not Obsolete.
The Music Hackspace’s mission is to become the largest platform for learning music technologies. We are passionate about helping musicians develop their programming skills, host workshops led by world experts and enable the community to share knowledge and practices.
Founded in 1901, NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $17 billion music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music.
The MIDI Association is the non-profit community for both the companies who develop new MIDI specifications and products and the people that create music and art with MIDI. The MIDI.org website is the central repository of information about anything related to MIDI technology, from classic legacy gear to the next- gen MIDI protocols coming soon.
The MIDI Innovation Awards welcomes entries from, but not limited to: MIDI instruments, controllers, software, art installation, MIDI peripherals, I/O boxes, lighting systems, automated systems, and more.
The jury has been assembled to represent the wider music industry and its many facets, including artists, engineers, and innovators. Entries will be judged on four attributes: innovation, inspiring and novel qualities, interoperability, and practical / commercial viability.
The 2022 MIDI Innovation Awards featured five distinct categories listed below. The winners were selected by the jury and are displayed in order.