What is MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)? Definition and Uses

The Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) is a music transmission and storage standard that was originally developed for digital music synthesized instruments. MIDI fails to convey recorded sound instead, it contains musical notes, durations, and pitch information, which the receiving device can utilize to play music from its sound library.

What is MIDI?

Musical Instrument Digital Interface is like a universal plug-and-play for music. It is a sound card manufacturer that supports standards for recording and playing back music on digital synthesizers. It was created to control one keyboard from another, but it was quickly accepted for use with personal computers. It’s like having a remote control that not only plays notes but can also start up beats, play patterns, and control effects on other gear, even computers loaded with music programs. A fact about MIDI is that it doesn’t deal with the actual sounds but with the instructions on how to make those sounds like what notes to play, how soft or loud, and what feels.

How does MIDI Work?

Musical Instrument Digital Interface is a protocol that enables electronic musical instruments, computers, and other devices to communicate with each other. Unlike transmitting audio signals, MIDI transmits data about musical events like notes, pitch, velocity, and timing. This data is structured into messages, including Note On/Off, Control Change, and others. Devices are connected via MIDI cables or Universal Serial Bus, with controllers sending MIDI messages based on user input, and sound generators receiving these messages to produce sound. MIDI allows for real-time performance control and recording/playback in sequencers, providing a standardized method for electronic musical devices to interact and create music.

Uses of MIDI in Music

• Playing Instruments: It lets you control different sounds or instruments from just one keyboard or pad. So, you could play a piano, drums, or even strings from the same device.
• Making Music: MIDI helps in putting together music tracks. You can record bits of music, mess around with them, fix timing, or change notes until everything sounds just right.
• Writing Songs: It’s great for songwriters too. You can tap out a tune on a MIDI keyboard, and the software shows you the notes, making it easier to see and tweak your music.
• Creating Sounds: If you’re into making unique sounds, MIDI can be your best friend. You can use it to control synths and create cool new sounds for your tracks.
• Performing Live: In live shows, MIDI can be a game-changer. One person can control a whole bunch of instruments and gadgets, making sure the music and even stage lights or visuals are all in sync.
• Learning Music: It’s also a fantastic tool for learning music. Whether it’s understanding how different parts come together or getting the hang of musical notes, MIDI can make learning more interactive.
• Working in Studios: In recording studios, MIDI is everywhere. It connects with the software, helping to control virtual instruments, edit music, or even automate mixing tasks like adjusting volumes or effects.
• Automating Stuff: And not just in studios, MIDI helps in live setups too, managing gear like mixers or effects, making sure everything changes just at the right moment in a song or show.

Why Use Musical Instrument Digital Interface?

Using MIDI, or Musical Instrument Digital Interface, is crucial in the music world because it streamlines composing, recording, and performing. It’s a key player in music production, letting musicians and producers easily control synthesizers, sequence tracks, and edit music. MIDI works well in live performance too, enabling one-person control over multiple instruments and tech, making shows smoother and more dynamic. Its universal compatibility means it works with all sorts of equipment, no matter the brand. In studios, MIDI is vital for manipulating digital audio workstations (DAWs), enhancing sound design, and ensuring precise automation of musical elements. For learners, it’s a fantastic tool, making music education more interactive and accessible. Essentially, MIDI transforms musical ideas into a format that digital devices can understand and manipulate, making it a fundamental technology in today’s music industry.

Learn more: Difference Between Digital Audio and MIDI

MIDI Channels

• Number of Channels: MIDI supports up to 16 channels on a single MIDI port. This means you can control up to 16 different instruments or sound sources through one cable or connection.
• Channel Assignment: Each MIDI instrument or device can be set to listen to a specific channel. For example, you might have a keyboard set to play a piano sound on MIDI channel 1, a drum machine receiving on channel 2, and a string section on channel 3.
• Independent Control: Because each channel operates independently, changes made on one channel, like altering the volume or applying an effect, won’t affect the other channels. This independence is crucial for complex arrangements and performances.
• Multi-Timbral Instruments: Some synthesizers and sound modules are multi-timbral, meaning they can receive and play back different sounds on different channels simultaneously. For instance, a multi-timbral synthesizer could play a bassline, a melody, and a drum part on separate channels all at the same time.
• Versatility in Use: MIDI channels enhance live performance flexibility, allowing performers to switch between instruments or layers of sounds easily. In studio production, they help in arranging and mixing by keeping different instrument parts on separate channels for easier editing and manipulation.

3 Most Common MIDI Setups

• DAW and MIDI controller: The most basic and common MIDI setup is to use a MIDI controller with your DAW in a home studio. It’s an easy, portable, and effective way to use MIDI.
• Computer, MIDI interface and synthesizers: MIDI tracks in your DAW sequencer can operate actual hardware synthesisers because of your MIDI interface’s conversion capabilities. That means you may use all of your digital tools and skills to enter and alter notes before playing them back on a real synthesizer—or any other MIDI-capable device.
• Hardware sequencer, drum machine and synthesizer: The sequencer uses MIDI THRU to transfer data to three devices: two synths and a drum machine. This setup is similar to a small DAW setup made up just of hardware gear.

What are MIDI cables?

A MIDI file stores MIDI data that can be played back by a device. A MIDI file simply provides data on which notes to play, therefore the sound will vary depending on the device playing it back. Because these files are so small, they were popular in early video games and as mobile ringtones. The standard MIDI file is a file format for exchanging MIDI information. It usually had the .mid file extension. Because of the wide availability of MIDI music from early video games, some bands now use game consoles as instruments. This is known as chiptunes.

Advantages of MIDI

• MIDI is incredibly versatile, allowing for the control and synchronization of a wide range of electronic musical instruments, software, and devices.
• MIDI messages are lightweight compared to audio data.
• MIDI facilitates real-time performance.
• MIDI is a standardized protocol, ensuring compatibility between different MIDI-enabled devices from various manufacturers.
• MIDI is easy to implement.
• MIDI has small file size.

Disadvantages of MIDI 

• MIDI does not transmit audio signals.
• The overall latency of MIDI is high.
• MIDI functionality depends on hardware and software.
• MIDI data transmission can be susceptible to interference or dropout, leading to data loss or corruption.
• MIDI does not specify the final sound.

Frequently Asked Question on MIDI – FAQs

What is a MIDI used for?

MIDI, short for “Musical Instrument Digital Interface,” is a protocol that allows electronic musical instruments, computers, and other devices to communicate with one another. MIDI is integral to music production, as it allows for precise control, sequencing, and synchronization of instruments and software.

What is MIDI in USB?

Android directly supports USB, BLE, and virtual (interapp) transports. Android supports MIDI 1.0 through an external adapter. For details on application programming with the MIDI APIs, see the android. media. midi package.

What are the advantages of a MIDI?

MIDI files are much more compact than digital audio files, and the size of a MIDI file is completely independent of playback quality. In general, MIDI files will be 200 to 1,000 times smaller than CD-quality digital audio files. Because MIDI files are small, they don’t take up as much memory, disk space, or bandwidth.

Do you need a MIDI?

Whether you need a MIDI depends on your specific needs. If you are involved in music production, composition, or performance and want to control musical instruments digitally or record music data efficiently, then a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) could be very useful.