What is MIDI?

MIDI (short for Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a music industry standard communications protocol that lets MIDI instruments and sequencers (or computers running sequencer software) talk to each other to play and record music. More and more of the music you hear every day is written with and played by MIDI sequencers.

MIDI is:

• Compact - Hours of music can fit on a single 3 1/2" floppy disk
• Efficient - Just about any computer can handle it
• Powerful - A whole orchestra is at your command
• Versatile - A click of a button is all it takes to change key, tempo, instrument, etc.
• Intuitive - a MIDI file is just an electronic version of a player piano roll for many instruments
• An Industry Standard - Any MIDI instrument can talk to any other

Why do I need MIDI?

• Bring your sheet music to life! Hear the music collecting dust on your shelf. If you can hear it, you can play it!
• See it play! Print out lead sheets.
• Arrange with Flexibility & Control - change tempo, transpose key, isolate parts, change feel and swing, accent, alternate lines, orchestrate
• Perform & Record - Play/sing along with ensembles, duets, trios, concertos, songs (with Lyrics)
• Low Price - cheaper and easier than buying a bunch of recordings or hiring others
• Easy to Use - compact, quicker than tapes. It takes only a second to start a file, cue to a section, etc.

What do I need to play MIDI songs?

Hardware:

• A Multimedia Computer (PC with sound card) OR
• A Dedicated Sequencer/Synthesizer OR
• Computer connected to a Sound Module/ Keyboard by a MIDI Interface

Sequencer Software:

We’ve delivered to Mac, PC compatible and Atari users and support all major sequencers and keyboards. Windows users can play standard MIDI files with the Media Player. To gain all the control MIDI offers, we recommend you get a sequencer that can mute tracks, transpose, display and print the score. We sell a full range of sequencers and notation programs, and digital audio, too, starting at just over $25, the cost of a book.

Who needs MIDI Classics?

• Students
• Music Teachers
• Performers
• Producers
• Composers
• Arrangers
• Hobbyists
• Music Lovers

All can use the power MIDI gives!

Assignment

Today you will have an opportunity to listen to some midi files.  Below are links you may use.

Midi Site 1

Midi Site 2

Now I would like you to find a midi file of a song that you know really well or one you have on a CD.

Bring your cd to school so you may do the following activity.

Using Microsoft Works I would like you to compare the midi version and the real version of the song you chose.  Please save the file to your 3 1/2 inch floppy disc.  Save as "midi"