| Music is something we all love and enjoy. It helps | | | | MIDI standard consists of a communications |
| us relax and take life easy when we aren't | | | | messaging protocol designed for use with musical |
| working. The Musical Instrument Digital Interface | | | | instruments, as well as a physical interface |
| or MIDI for short, helps musicians input their work | | | | standard. The Physical interface consists of a |
| into computers and process it. | | | | one-way (simplex) digital current loop serial |
| MIDI compatible instruments send out binary | | | | communications signaling at 31,250 bits per |
| codes that a computer can understand. All notes | | | | second. |
| that a musical instrument is capable of playing are | | | | The advantage of MIDI is that it is low bandwidth |
| assigned specific MIDI messages according to | | | | consuming and hence is good for networks and |
| what the note and octave are. For example, the | | | | Internet. Today, MIDI has become the choice for |
| Middle C note played on any MIDI compatible | | | | mobile phone service providers to offer their |
| musical instrument will always transmit the same | | | | consumers the latest ring tones. Music lovers can |
| MIDI message from its 'MIDI Out' port. What | | | | also enjoy their productions and edit them directly |
| code will be transmitted when a note is played is | | | | with MIDI software allowing them to have |
| defined in the MIDI specification. This comprises | | | | complete control on their work. |
| the core of the MIDI standard that all instrument | | | | That is not all! This wonderful standard of |
| makers like Casio and Yamaha follow. | | | | communication can also be used for show control, |
| Since All MIDI instruments follow the MIDI | | | | theatre lighting, special effects, sound design, |
| specification and thus transmit identical MIDI | | | | recording system synchronization, audio processor |
| messages for identical MIDI events such as the | | | | control and computer networking. Any device built |
| playing of a certain note on the musical | | | | with a MIDI out port can in theory control a |
| instrument, all MIDI instruments can communicate | | | | device with a MIDI in port. This can only happen if |
| with and understand each other, as well as with | | | | the maker of both the devices has made |
| computers which have been programmed to | | | | provisions for the agreements between the 2. |
| understand MIDI messages using MIDI-aware | | | | In conclusion, the MIDI standard of communication |
| software. The MIDI interface, converts the | | | | has changed a lot of things. The MIDI messages |
| current fluctuations transmitted by a MIDI musical | | | | are light weight packages that can be stored and |
| instrument, into binary numbers that the receiving | | | | processed with a minimum of fuss and power. |
| musical instrument or computer can process. | | | | This makes MIDI an invaluable format for |
| All MIDI enabled instruments have a built-in MIDI | | | | musicians, game designers and network workers. |
| interface. In addition, computer sound cards | | | | MIDI is also excellent for show control helping in |
| usually have this built-in interface - if not, it can be | | | | presentations and other corporate environmental |
| separately purchased as a card and easily installed. | | | | work. |
| So what does this MIDI standard contain? The | | | | |