MIDI Quiz

• Musical Instrument Digital Interface

• A system that allows electronic instruments and computers to send instructions to each other
• (0’s and 1’s) represent voltages

• August 1983

What is a MIDI controller? 

Examples?

1. Sends input signals from the controller to the computer 
2. Akai pad controller, Roland foot controller, Oxygen 61 keyboard 

1. In – incoming data
2. Thru – duplicate data
3. Out – outgoing data 

• Attaching multiple MIDI controllers to one computer using the Thru port 
• Will have master controller and a slave 

What’s the difference between serial and parallel protocols?;

Name an extra-musical example…

• Serial: MIDI data is sent down the cable one bit at a time as a stream of info;
• Parallel: allows the information to be sent down seperate wires so the message reaches the device at the same time – faster than serial interface
• Example: Computer chips use parallel interface

1. Once MIDI device can control another
2. Create rich musical textures by layering sounds from multiple MIDI defices;
3. Allows you to fix mistakes, change not pitches, fix timing, etc.;
4. Instant playback of prerecorded music;

• 16 channels;

How do you send a “note on” command?

How do you send a “note off” command?;

1. When you press a key, the “note on” message goes to the module
2. When you let go of a key, the “note off” message is sent to the module and it stops playing the note;

• A view where the keys of the piano are shown on screen and every note played is displayed for the time it is pressed;

What are some elements of a sound that can be affected by MIDI?

;

• Pitch
• Volume
• Velocity
• Timbre
• Vibrato;

• Velocity = associated with the initial strike of the key (fast=loud, slow=soft) 
• Volume – can be added at any point

• Master – sends commands 
• Slave – recieves commands