What is MIDI?

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Introduction into MIDI
 
 

HOW MUCH FOR JUST THE MIDI?
 

By Eric Lipscomb (BITNET: LIPS@UNTVAX). This article appeared in the October 1989 issue of North
Texas Computing Center Newsletter, "Benchmarks".

Computer retailers are hearing about it. Music store sales people are buying and selling it.
Musicians and students are talking about it. Professional writers are publishing articles about it.
Entire magazines are devoted to it. Students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are
receiving large grants to research it. Joe "Keys" Manzotti uses it when he plays with his band at
the Holiday Inn on weekends. Just what IS this MIDI thing anyway?
MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface and has been the rage among electronic
musicians throughout its six year existence. It is a powerful tool for composers and teachers alike.
It allows musicians to be more creative on stage and in the studio. It allows composers to write
music that no human could ever perform. But it is NOT a tangible object, a thing to be had.
MIDI is a communications protocol that allows electronic musical instruments to interact with
each other.

A Method, Not An Object

All too often I have seen misinformed customers browsing through a music store: "Where do you
keep your MIDIs?" "I'd like to get a MIDI for my home computer." "I need to get two MIDIs so
they can talk to each other, right?" Explaining to customers that they cannot just get a MIDI
becomes frustrating to the salesman. Fortunately, the average consumer is learning more about
the concept of MIDI through articles such as this one. To have a complete understanding of how
MIDI works, though, one should learn its history.
The Saga of MIDI
The combined advances and cost-efficiency in synthesizer technology caught the music world by
storm. At times, a musician could not get a new synthesizer home before it had been outdated by
a new product. One major factor in the increased popularity in synthesizers, and the increased
push for research and design of these units, was the development of new sound generation
methods. Musicians were creating new and different sounds worldwide. Eventually, the musical
world began to recognize the synthesizer as a legitimate musical instrument.
Musicians were physically limited, though, because they had only two hands. Popular and
avant-garde performers alike desired to "layer" their new sound creations, to play two sounds
together to create a "larger" sound. Though this was possible to some extent in a multi-track
recording studio, layering could not be realized on the road. A few synthesizer design technicians
from different manufacturers then got together to discuss an idea they shared. Surely, they said,
there had to be a way to play one keyboard and have another one sound simultaneously. They
jotted a few notes, considered a few options, and scuttled back to their design labs to create this
communication method.
They revealed their results at the first North American Music Manufacturers show in Los Angeles
in 1983. The simple demonstration connected two synthesizers, not manufactured by the same
company, with two cables. A representative from one company then played one of the
synthesizers while an amazed audience heard both sound. The process was then reversed to
demonstrate the two-way nature of the communication. Other variations were illustrated, and the
rest is music history.
The Method of MIDI
Much in the same way that two computers communicate via modems, two synthesizers
communicate via MIDI. The information exchanged between two MIDI devices is musical in
nature. MIDI information tells a synthesizer, in its most basic mode, when to start and stop
playing a specific note. Other information shared includes the volume and modulation of the note,
if any. MIDI information can also be more hardware specific. It can tell a synthesizer to change
sounds, master volume, modulation devices, and even how to receive information. In more
advanced uses, MIDI information can to indicate the starting and stopping points of a song or the
metric position within a song. More recent applications include using the interface between
computers and synthesizers to edit and store sound information for the synthesizer on the
computer.
The basis for MIDI communication is the byte. Through a combination of bytes a vast amount of
information can be transferred. Each MIDI command has a specific byte sequence. The first byte
is the status byte, which tells the MIDI device what function to perform. Encoded in the status
byte is the MIDI channel. MIDI operates on 16 different channels, numbered 0 through 15.
MIDI units will accept or ignore a status byte depending on what channel the machine is set to
receive. Only the status byte has the MIDI channel number encoded. All other bytes are
assumed to be on the channel indicated by the status byte until another status byte is received.
Some of these functions indicated in the status byte are Note On, Note Off, System Exclusive
(SysEx), Patch Change, and so on. Depending on the status byte, a number of different byte
patterns will follow. The Note On status byte tells the MIDI device to begin sounding a note.
Two additional bytes are required, a pitch byte, which tells the MIDI device which note to play,
and a velocity byte, which tells the device how loud to play the note. Even though not all MIDI
devices recognize the velocity byte, it is still required to complete the Note On transmission.
The command to stop playing a note is not part of the Note On command; instead there is a
separate Note Off command. This command also requires two additional bytes with the same
functions as the Note On byte. Most people are confused at first by this approach to Note On
and Note Off, but after further thought they realize the necessity of the structure.
Another important status byte is the Patch Change byte. This requires only one additional byte:
the number corresponding to the program number on the synthesizer. The patch number
information is different for each synthesizer, and the standards have been set by the International
MIDI Association (IMA). Channel selection is extremely helpful when sending Patch Change
commands to a synthesizer.
The SysEx status byte is the most powerful and least understood of all the status bytes because it
can instigate a variety of functions. Briefly, the SysEx byte requires at least three additional bytes.
The first is a manufacturer's ID number or timing byte, the second is a data format or function
byte, and the third is generally an "end of transmission" (EOX) byte. There are a number of
books that have been written on the topic of System Exclusive messages, so this article will not
deal with it further.

The INs and OUTs of MIDI

The closest most people ever care to get to the heart of the MIDI interface are the three 5-pin
ports found on the back of every MIDI unit. Labeled IN, OUT, and THRU, these ports control
all of the information routing in a MIDI system. The IN port accepts MIDI data, data coming "in"
to the unit from an external source. This is the data that controls the sound generators of the
synthesizer. The OUT port sends MIDI data "out" to the rest of the MIDI setup. This data results
from activity of the synthesizer, such as key presses, patch changes, and so on. The THRU port
also sends data out to the MIDI system, but not in the same manner as the OUT port. The data
coming from the THRU port is an exact copy of the data received at the synthesizer's IN port.
There is no change made to the data from the time it arrives at the IN port to the time is leaves
the THRU port (which is a very, VERY small amount of time).
MIDI makes use of special five conductor cable to connect the synthesizer ports. Curiously
though, only three of the conductors are actually used. Data is carried through the cable on pins 1
and 3, and pin 2 is shielded and connected to common. Pins 4 and 5 remain unused. Not just any
cable will suffice for the exactness of the MIDI system, either. MIDI cable is specially grounded
and shielded to ensure efficient data transmission. This means that MIDI cable is a little more
expensive than standard 5-conductor cable, but reliable data transmission is absolutely necessary
for MIDI.
The length of the cable is critical as well. IMA specifications suggest an absolute maximum cable
length of 50 feet because of the method of data transmission through the cable. The entire length
of a MIDI chain (discussed below) is unlimited, however, provided that none of the links are
longer than 50 feet. The optimal maximum length for cable is about 20 feet, and most
commercially manufactured cable comes in five to ten foot lengths.

MIDI Chains and Loops

A MIDI chain describes a series of one-way connections in a MIDI setup. The elemental chain is
a single-link chain. The MIDI OUT port of one device is connected to the MIDI IN port of a
second. In this configuration, a key pressed on the first unit will cause both units to sound.
Pressing a key on the second unit, however, only causes the second unit to sound. Many
instruments may be chained together using a series of single links to connect the units. In this
case, the OUT of the first unit is connected to the second, the THRU of the second is connected
to the IN of a third, and so on. If all the units are set to receive on the same channel, pressing a
key on the first one will cause all the units to sound. Pressing a key on any of the other units will
only activate the sound of that unit.
A MIDI loop is a special configuration of a MIDI chain. The single element loop is made of two
interconnecting links. This was the configuration used in the debut of the MIDI system. The OUT
port of the first unit is connected to the IN port of the second, and the OUT port of the second is
connected to the IN port of the first. In this case, as described earlier, a key pressed on either
unit causes both units to sound, provided they are on the same channel. A MIDI feedback loop
does NOT exist here, as the data going into the second unit from the first is not duplicated in the
OUT port of the second going back into the first. Here, we have two one-way links connected,
not a multi-link chain.
MIDI loops connecting several devices using all three ports can become complex very quickly.
As a brief example, imagine four synthesizers named A, B, C, and D for convenience. A's OUT
is connected to B's IN and consequently to C's IN via B's THRU. B's OUT connects to D's IN,
whose THRU connects to A's IN. A key pressed on A sounds A, B and C. A key pressed on C
sounds C and C alone. A key pressed on B sounds B, D, and A, while a key pressed on D
sounds D only. C does not sound when B is pressed because there is no direct connection
between B and C, and B's note, which does route through D, does not route through A into C
because A's THRU is not connected to C, or anything else for that matter. A note played on A
does not sound on D for the same reason. You get the idea.

Computers and MIDI

Computer manufacturers soon realized that the computer would be a fantastic tool for MIDI,
since MIDI devices and computers speak the same language. Since the MIDI data transmission
rate (31.5 kBaud) is different from ANY computer data rate, manufacturers had to design a
MIDI interface to allow the computer to talk at MIDI's speed. Apple Computers, with the
Macintosh and Apple ][ series, and Commodore were the first companies to jump on the MIDI
computer bandwagon [pun intended]. Roland designed an interface for the IBM series of
compatible computers a few years later, and Atari designed a completely new computer, the ST
series, with fully operable MIDI ports built in. Today, there are many different interfaces available
for almost all types of computer system.
As great as the number of available interfaces may be, the availability of software packages is
almost beyond belief. Virtually everything that can be done via MIDI has a software package to
do it. First came the sequencers. Based on a hardware device that simply recorded and replayed
MIDI data, the software sequencer allowed the computer to record, store, replay, and edit
MIDI data into "songs." Though the first sequencers were somewhat primitive, the packages
available today provide very thorough editing capabilities as well as intricate synchronization
methods, such as MTC (MIDI Time Code) and SMPTE.
Various patch editors and librarians are also available for computers. These programs allow the
user to edit sounds away from the synthesizer and often in a much friendlier environment than
what the synthesizer interface offers. The more advanced librarians permit groups or banks of
sounds to be edited, stored on disk, or moved back and forth from the synthesizer's memory.
They also allow for rearranging sounds within banks or groups of banks for customized libraries.
These programs are generally small and can be incorporated into some sequencing packages for
ease of use. On the other hand, each synthesizer requires a different editor/librarian since internal
data formats are unique for each. Some packages offer editor groups for a specific
manufacturer's line as some of the internal data structure may be similar between the units. But,
there is not yet a universal librarian that covers all makes and models of sound modules; it would
just be too large.

Computers in MIDI Chains

Basically, the computer functions the same as any other unit in a MIDI chain or loop. Most
interfaces have the same three ports as other MIDI devices. The computer's main job in a chain,
though, would be as a MIDI data driver, meaning it would supply the MIDI data for the rest of
the chain. Very rarely is a device connected to the IN port of a computer MIDI interface except
to provide input for synchronization signals or data to edit. Even more rare is a connection to the
computer's THRU port, although it can be used.
In this scope the implementation of MIDI channels is most effective. The computer can send data
out on all 16 MIDI channels simultaneously. For example, sixteen MIDI devices, each set up for
a different MIDI channel, could be connected to the computer. Each unit could be playing a
separate line in a song from the sequencer, creating an electronic orchestra. This implementation
is being used more and more in today's music scenes: the recording studio, major orchestras,
opera, and film scoring.

The Future of MIDI

The MIDI specifications set out by the initial design team have not changed drastically since its
creation. The current data structure is as it was originally designed, the only exception being that
some of the initial status bytes were not initially defined. As it stands, the architecture of MIDI
does not allow for any further expansion. To enhance MIDI further would take a complete
redesign of the system. The IMA has been discussing new MIDI designs, but industry and the
general public will prevent any real action from taking place because the new design would not
be backwards compatible: none of the current MIDI hardware would operate in the new
environment.
But MIDI does continue to hold promise. The extent of the SysEx applications has not yet been
fully realized. MIDI is by no means about to become outdated or abandoned by the musical
world, and as technology becomes more and more affordable, a greater number of non-technical
people will invest in their own personal MIDI systems. There may in fact be a day where the
average American family has a home, two cars, three kids, and their own MIDI in the garage.
 

References

Arnell, Billy. "McScope: System." Music, Computers, and Software, April 1988: 58-60.
Conger, Jim. C Programming for MIDI. Redwood City: M & T Books, 1988.
Cooper, Jim. "Mind Over MIDI: Information Sources and System-exclusive Data Formats."
Keyboard October, 1986: 110-111.
Enders, Bernd and Wolfgang Klemme. MIDI and Sound Book for the Atari ST. Redwood City:
M & T Books, 1989.
Matzkin, Jonathan. "A MIDI Musical Offering." PC Magazine 29 Nov. 1988: 229+.
Peters, Constantine. "Reading up on MIDI for the Novice and the Pro." PC Magazine 29 Nov.
1988: 258.