Blog5: MIDI Interface

Blog5: MIDI Interface

Tuoye Ma

In the big world of making digital music, there's a super important thing called MIDI. It's like the secret sauce that makes everything work together, even if you don't see it. Besides, its interface is one of the most important constituent parts.

What's MIDI interface?

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a protocol that allows communication between electronic musical instruments, computers and other devices. It allows musical performance data, such as note sequences, control signals, and timing information, to be transmitted between different devices.

A MIDI interface is a hardware device or built-in component in an electronic musical instrument or computer that makes connection and communication between MIDI-compatible devices easier. Typically, it has MIDI inputs and outputs that can be used to connect musical instruments which are compatible with MIDI, controllers, synthesisers, computers, and other devices.

Image1： This image shows what MIDI interface like.

MIDI interfaces can take various forms, including:

1. external MIDI interfaces: these are independent devices that connect to a computer or other MIDI device through USB, FireWire, or other connection types. They usually provide multiple MIDI inputs and outputs, allowing the user to connect multiple MIDI devices at the same time.

2. Built-in MIDI interfaces: Some electronic musical instruments, such as keyboards and synthesisers, contain built-in MIDI interfaces. These interfaces allow the instrument to send and receive MIDI data to and from other MIDI devices.

3. MIDI interface cards: In some cases, MIDI interfaces are integrated into expansion cards that can be installed in computer expansion slots. These cards provide MIDI inputs and outputs, allowing the user to connect MIDI devices directly to the computer.

Overall, MIDI interfaces play a vital role in connecting and integrating relevant devices, enabling musicians, producers, and amateurs to create, record, and perform electronic music.

Video1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZj0AI4sU70

This video explains what MIDI interface is and different kinds of MIDI interfaces.


Video2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A05B7U8TNao

This video introduces a kind of MIDI interface, gives us an example to learn about MIDI interface.

Image2: This image shows what could connect different MIDI interfaces.

History of MIDI Interface

The MIDI interface is a communications protocol introduced in the early 1980s, which is a musical standard. Developed in collaboration with leading instrument manufacturers such as Roland, Yamaha, Korg, and Sequential Circuits, MIDI 1.0 was officially introduced in 1983, stipulating the format of musical performance data, including notes, control changes, and timing information.Over time, MIDI continued to evolve and adapt to the needs of modern music production, including the introduction of enhancements such as MIDI Time Code (MTC) and MIDI Machine Control (MMC). Nowadays, MIDI 2.0 has appeared but not been used widely. Despite the emergence of new technologies, MIDI has maintained its important place in the music industry, providing a powerful tool for music composition and performance.




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