MIDI Transport Specifications

The original MIDI 1.0 Specification called for using a 5-Pin DIN cable to connect MIDI compatible devices, but today there are many different "transports" capable of carrying MIDI data, and the specification for 5-Pin DIN has been updated.

Some of the transport specifications for MIDI were developed in conjunction with other organizations (typically those who control the specification for that particular transport). Below are descriptions of all MMA-approved alternate transport specifications and where to get the document.

[Information about USB-MIDI and RTP-MIDI is temporarily unavailable... please stay tuned.]

Bluetooth LE MIDI Specification

This specification defines a method for encoding and decoding MIDI data for transmission over Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connections which enables product compatibility across all computing platforms (iOS, MacOS, Windows, and Android).

MIDI DIN Electrical Specification

The MIDI 1.0 Specification includes an Electrical Specification which uses a 5-Pin DIN connector. The Specification was updated in 2014 to reflect current design requirements such as 3.3 Volt circuitry and reduced RF interference.

MIDI Transport Specification for IEEE-1394 (FireWire)

The "MIDI Media Adaptation Layer for IEEE-1394" (aka 1394-MIDI or Firewire-MIDI) is part of the AM824 Protocol developed in conjunction with the 1394 Trade Association in 1999 (now known as IEC International Standard 61883, Part 6).

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