MIDI, or Musical Instrument Digital Interface, is a key part of making digital music. It helps electronic instruments, computers, and controllers talk to each other. Since it started in the early 1980s, MIDI has changed how music is made. If you're interested in creating music with electronics, it's important to know the basics of MIDI.

Key MIDI Concepts

1. Types of MIDI Data:

   • Channel Messages: These include commands like Note On/Off, Control Change, Program Change, and Aftertouch. They make up about 99% of the data used in music.
   • System Messages: These include special messages that help devices share extra data, like custom sounds or settings.

2. MIDI Channels:

   • MIDI can use 16 channels per connection. This means you can control up to 16 different instruments or sounds separately. This opens up many creative options for music makers to layer sounds and create complex music.

3. Types of MIDI Controllers:

   • Keyboard Controllers: These are the most common MIDI controllers. They give musicians a familiar way to make music, and about 75% of electronic musicians use them.
   • Pad Controllers: These are popular in styles like hip-hop and electronic dance music, featuring touch-sensitive pads. Their use is growing and makes up about 25% of MIDI controller sales in recent years.
   • Control Surfaces: These let musicians control software features directly. They make mixing and editing easier and are becoming more common in electronic music production.

MIDI Details

• Resolution: MIDI can control sounds at 128 levels of strength (from 0 to 127). This gives musicians great control over how soft or loud notes sound.
• Transmission Speed: MIDI sends data at a speed of 31.25 kilobits per second (kbps), which allows musicians to play and create music in real-time with little delay.

Why Use MIDI in Digital Music?

• Non-Destructive Editing: With MIDI, you can change notes, volumes, and timing without ruining the sound quality. This is super helpful when you’re creating music.
• Compatibility: MIDI is a universal tool, which means different devices and software can work together easily. This helps musicians collaborate on different platforms.
• Small File Size: MIDI files are much smaller than audio files, often about 1/10th the size. This makes them easier to save and share. For example, a MIDI file might only be a few kilobytes compared to a regular WAV file that could be several megabytes.

Conclusion

MIDI is a big part of making digital music, giving composers and producers lots of options and control. With new updates like MIDI 2.0, which offers even better expressiveness and control, the future of music creation looks bright. Learning about MIDI and how it works is important for anyone wanting to improve their electronic music skills. By getting a good grasp of these basics, artists can tap into their creativity and make amazing digital music.