SMM3001: MIDI Overview

Multimedia Technology

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)
 is a standard specification for networking
Chapter 7:
 two or more devices together.
AUDIO Technology: MIDI
It forms a protocol – hook up the enables computer,
synthesizers, MIDI keyboard and other musical devices to
communicate with each other.

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MIDI Overview MIDI Overview

MIDI information is not an audio information. It is • plugging a MIDI cable

a set of numerical instructions that are sent and in the MIDI "OUT" of a
received between devices. sequencer and plugging

MIDI codes the “event” that stand for the the other end into the
production of certain sounds MIDI "IN" of a

MIDI event include: synthesizer.
 values for the pitch of a single note • MIDI data is sent out of
 duration the "OUT" port, MIDI
 volume data is received at the

MIDI files are very small. "IN" port.

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 Terminology Terminology

Synthesizer
Sequencer
 special hardware for storing and editing a sequence of
 produces synthetic music - a stand alone musical events in the form of MIDI data
generator that can vary pitch, loudness and tone  also known as software music editor on the computer
of music
MIDI keyboard
 can change additional music characteristics  produces no sound
(attack and delay time)  generating sequences of MIDI instructions called MIDI
messages
 consist of just a few bytes

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MIDI Concepts MIDI message taxonomy

Music is organized into tracks in a sequencer – on

Basic channel
or off on recording or playing back MIDI channel voice message

Each particular instrument is associated with a
MIDI channel – used to separate messages Channel mode

MIDI byte has 16 possibilities to identify the MIDI Basic channel - is the MIDI channel on which it normally
channel. sends and/or receives Channel Voice messages. The range
 the first 4 digits (1100) represent a program change of modes are 1, 2 and 3
 the last 4 digits (1111), refer to MIDI channel 16
Channel mode – is the MIDI channel on MIDI devices.
Binary code 11001111
Controlled by two switches:
Hexadecimal CF
• the Omni – on/off switch
• the Polyphonic/Monophonic switch
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 MIDI Channel Modes

Example
Omni Poly/Mono MIDI Receiver behaviour MIDI Transmitter behaviour

The receiver will respond to Channel Voice The transmitter sends Channel Voice messages on
messages on any and all MIDI channels. one channel only.
Mode 1 On Polyphonic Multiple notes will be played at once, if This is the Basic Channel of the transmitter.
required. Multiple notes may be 'on' at any given time.

The receiver will respond to Channel Voice
messages on any and all MIDI channels,
playing only one note at a time (ie one note
Mode 2 On Monophonic only across all MIDI channels).
The Mono Mode parameter 'm' is ignored, and
m=1 is assumed.
The receiver will respond to Channel Voice
messages on one channel only.
Mode 3 Off Polyphonic
This is the Basic Channel of the receiver.
Multiple notes will be sounded at once, if
required by note-on messages.
The receiver will respond to only one voice per
channel, on channels: n ... n+m-1inclusive,
where:
'n' is the Basic Channel,
'm' is specified in the Mono Mode message
Mode 4 Off Monophonic (note 3)
Whilst in this mode, a Control Change message
received on channel:
n-1is a Global Control message, affecting all
the receiving channels (note 4)
The transmitter sends Channel Voice messages on
one channel only. In this example, a sequencer
This is the Basic Channel of the transmitter.
The transmitter may continue to send notes in a application in the computer can
polyphonic manner.
send multiple tracks of MIDI
The transmitter sends Channel Voice messages on
one channel only.
notes on channels 1 through 10.
This is the Basic Channel of the transmitter.
Multiple notes may be 'on' at any given time.
The keyboard is set-up to respond
to MIDI information on channels
The transmitter sends Channel Voice messages on 1 through 3, while the multi-
channels: n ... n+m-1inclusive, where:
'n' is the Basic Channel, timbral device on the right is
'm' is specified in the Mono Mode message
Only one note may be 'on' for each channel at any responding to MIDI information
given time.
on channels 4 through 10.
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Conclusion

MIDI files can also store wave-table data

(WAV files)

Advantage: End of Lecture
 more precisely stores the exact sound of an Thank You
instrument

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