OS/2 Shareware BBS: Multimed/Multimed.zip/mseq30b1.zip/mstatseq.HLP

OS/2 Help File | 2001-03-29 | 362KB | 3,745 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,

There are some issues to consider in using RTMIDI, especially when your
soundcard driver doesn't directly support RTMIDI. In these cases there are
alternatives that can be attempted to get your system working correctly.  We'll
discuss them one-by-one.

You have a soundcard that uses Crystal Semiconductor's drivers:
If youu're using Crystal's drivers then you have the best of both worlds
because Crystal fully supports the RTMIDI standard.  You'll have to use IBM's
or Theta Band's MPU-401 driver to allow RTMIDI to see your card.  Here's what
to do:

     Download the latest MPU-401 driver from IBM's device driver website
     Install the driver (Instructions come with the driver)
     When installing the driver it will ask you a number of questions - choose
      the defaults
     Edit your config.sys and look for the line where the MPU driver is loaded
      (should be at the end)
     Put as the first parameter after MPU401.SYS the parameter /V - (Verbose -
      will show you what MPU devices the driver found)
     Reboot your machine

 Note:  Upon bootup the device driver will display what MPU devices it was able
 to find and also what IRQ(s) it was able to grab.

 You have a Non-PCI soundcard made by ESS Technologies
 Once again you have a card whose drivers fully support the RTMIDI standard.
 You have to install the IBM MPU driver.  Follow the directions above.

 You have a Turtle Beach Non-PCI soundcard (Tropez, Tropez32, etc.):
 Turtle Beach cards also use Crystal Semicondcutor's drivers so you should
 install those first if you haven't done so already.  You'll also have to
 install the MPU-401 driver to allow RTMIDI to see your card and make some
 adjustments.  Here's what to do:

     Download the latest MPU-401 driver from IBM's device driver website
     Install the driver (Instructions come with the driver)
     When installing the driver it will ask you a number of questions:
   
        -  Enter the number of MPU devices in your computer - Most cards have
           one MPU device
        -  For the Base I/O address enter the address of your MPU port - Look
           in your documentation (Usually 300 or 330)
        -  For the Interrupt level choose an interrupt that you know is
           currently free
        -  For the rest of the parameters on this page allow the defaults to
           remain
        -  On the next page select the option to check neither the IRQ or I/O
           port
        -  For the rest of the selections allow the defaults.
     Edit your config.sys and look for the line where the MPU driver is loaded
      (should be at the end)
     Put as your first parameter afer the MPU401.sys the paramter /V -
      (Verbose - will show you what MPU devices are found)
     Reboot your machine

 You have a card from a different manufacturer (such as Creative Labs)
 In this case your best option is to purchase and use Theta Band's much
 improved MPU driver.  Their website is http://www.thetaband.com.  One of the
 problems with soundcard drivers from other manufacturers, especially Creative
 Labs, is that the driver doesn't allow another driver to grab the interrupt
 for the MPU port.  Theta Band's driver overcomes that limitation by providing
 a technology called "IRQ"less recording.  Here is an explanation that is as
 non-technical as possible: In order for the standard MPU driver to communicate
 with the MPU port it needs an interrupt so that any messages sent or received
 can be handled at task time.  If the soundcard driver doesn't allow the
 interrupt for the MPU to be shared then there is no way for the communication
 to


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.2.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,

This next section describes some of the features of the MIDI Station Sequencer
main window:

Record/Playback Toolbar

     Press the  button to begin recording a sequence

     Press the  button to begin playing a sequence

     Press the  button to rewind the sequence to the beginning

     Press the  button to fast forward to the end of the sequence

     Press the  button to stop the playback/record of a sequence

     Press the  button to pause the playback of a sequence

     Press the  button to move back in the sequence a bar at a time

     Press the  button to move forward in the sequence a bar at a time

 Panic Button

 The panic button  will send note-off messages on all channels.  This is useful
 if a note gets "stuck" and will not turn off.

 Comments Button

 The comments button  opens the comments window and allows you to add/modify
 free-form text comments for the sequence.  Also you can include a copyright
 statement here.

 Mixer Button

 The mixer button  opens the mixer window. See Using the mixer

 Bar Window

 The bar window shows the bar, number of quarter notes, number of eighth notes,
 and number of sixteenth notes as the sequence is playing.

 Timer Window

 The timer window shows the time elapsed since the start of the sequence.

 Time Signature

 You can change the time signature by double-clicking on the window to change
 the time signature. (Defaults to 4/4 time)

 Key Signature

 Use the key signature spinbutton to change the song key. The "+" key
 signatures represent major keys and the "-" key signatures represent minor
 keys.  The key signature window does not affect the performance of the
 sequence it's only for information.

 Tempo

 Change the tempo by using the arrow keys on the tempo spinbutton. The tempo
 can range from 8 beats per minute (BPM) to 500 BPM.

 Metronome

 You enable/disable the metronome with this button. (In the general settings
 window you can choose whether to use external MIDI notes or whether to use
 your soundcard with a wave file.) When this button is framed in green the
 metronome is ON and when it is framed in red the metronome is OFF. This button
 doesn't disable the countoff it just controls whether or not the metronome is
 audible.

 Digital Audio

 The digital audio button  will open the digital audio window.  This allows you
 to add/delete/edit wave files.  See Digital Audio

 Audio Recording

 The audio recording button  will open the audio recording window.  This window
 will allow you to set the record parameters and begin recording.  See Audio
 Recording

 Track Window

 The track window shows the track number, punch in/punch out status, the track
 name, the MIDI channel, the program number, the bank number, the transposition
 value, the mute status, the number of loops and the volume.

 Volume Column

 The volume column displays the relative volume of each track. You must keep in
 mind, though, that the effect of this value is dependant on the capabilities
 of the synthesizer that is playing the notes.  For example if a synthesizer
 and/or sound is not velocity sensitive then this parameter will have
 absolutely no effect on the way the notes are played. So you must choose your
 sounds accordingly when using the volume parameter. Setting the volume to zero
 will, in effect, mute the track.
 The volume is adjusted by using the track mixer. See Using the mixer

 Important

 MIDI Station Sequencer only allows recording on one track at a time.  To
 enable recording on a specific track double click in the "Pch" column of the
 track and an "X" will appear


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.      ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1.
 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.2.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.3.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.1.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.2.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.3.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.4.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.5.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.6.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.7.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.8.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.9.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.10.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.1.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.2.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.3.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.4.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7.5.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.1.  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.2.   ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.3. ! ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.4. " ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.5. # ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.6. $ ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9. % ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.1. & ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.2. ' ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.3. ( ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.4. ) ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.5. * ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.6. + ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.7. , ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.8. . ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice, The audio window allows you to load in wave files, edit them, add
special effects and add them to your current sequence or save them as an audio
project.  The main window shows you a graphical representation of where in the
sequence each audio event is happening.  Across the top of the window there is
a ruler that shows the position (in bars:beats format or in
hours:minutes:seconds:hseconds format) of each audio event. There are a total
of 3 different types of audio events: wave file(play), loop and volume and each
one has a different icon assigned to it.

Loading wave files In order to start using this module the first thing to do is
load in a wave file. By pressing the toolbar button with the wave icon you will
be prompted for the location of a wave file.  Once that wave file is loaded in
it will show up in the window with the wave icon. The icon can be moved around
to any position in the sequence that you want it. Just drag it to reposition it
or if you want to trigger the same sample somewhere else you can make a copy of
it by holding down the Ctrl key and dragging the icon with the right mouse
button.  You can add more wave files to your sequence by loading them in.  Each
wave file will automatically appear in a different row of the window and each
row is separated by a solid line.

Playing waves  You can play any of the currently loaded wave files by
double-clicking on the wave icon or pressing the green button to the left of
the wave file

Stopping playback  Playback can be stopped by pressing the red button to the
left of the wave file.

Volume  The overall volume of the wave file is controlled by the slider to the
left of the wave file.

Muting The wave file can be muted by clicking the checkbox to the left of the
wave file.

Editing waves Wave files can be edited and special effects applied to them.
Right clicking on the wave icon will bring up a pop-up menu.  One of the
options will be Editor. Selecting that item will open the wave editor window
which shows a graphical representation of the current waveform. See Wave Editor

Stretching waves Waveforms can be "stretched" by holding down the Ctrl+Shift
keys and dragging the waveform to the desired length.  This has the effect of
looping the waveform for the duration of the length.  So if you stretch a
waveform for 10 bars the the waveform will loop for 10 bars and then stop
playback.  You'll notice that the waveform bitmap changes to red indicating
that the waveform has been stretched.

Mixing Right clicking on the waveform will bring up a pop-up menu and one of
the options will be Mixer. This module will allow you to select whether or not
the waveform is looped by default, set the loop range and modify the frequency.
If the waveform is stereo you will be able to modify the aforementioned
properties for each channel separately allowing a wide variety of effects.

Adding other audio events The other audio events can be added only after adding
a wave file.  For example it would make no logical sense to have a loop event
if there's no wave file to associate it with!  To add the other events(Loop and
Volume) right click on the audio window where you want to the event to appear
and a pop-up menu will appear allowing to select the event you want to add.
These events can also be dragged around and copied just like the waveforms.
These events will appear on the line just below the waveform they're assigned
to with the Loop event appearing as a yellow


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.9. / ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.9.1. 0 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.10. 1 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.11. 2 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.12. 3 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10. 4 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11. 5 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11.1. 6 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11.1.1. 7 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11.1.2. 8 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11.1.3. 9 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11.1.4. : ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11.1.5. ; ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11.1.6. < ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11.1.7. = ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11.2. > ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12. ? ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 13. A ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,

Following are some common problems encountered when using MIDI Station
Sequencer:

Q: I have a sound card that works under OS/2, why can't I use MIDI Station
Sequencer?
A: Do the drivers for your soundcard support RTMIDI?  If not have you followed
the directions on how to install and use the MPU-401 driver?

Q: My connections are fine.  Why is it that when I transmit my messages nothing
happens to my synth?
A: Is your synthesizer connected correctly to your sound card? Is your
synthesizer set to receive MIDI messages? (Look in your user's manual)

Q: I keep receiving RTMIDI error messages when I try to run the application.
What's the problem?
A: When the error window pops up read the information displayed.  It describes
the problem and the possible solutions (if any).

Q: I ran MIDI Station Sequencer and the first time I got an RTMIDI error.  The
next time I ran the application it worked fine.  After using the application
for a while though my system trapped and I had to reboot the machine.  What
gives?
A: If you ever receive an RTMIDI error (especially a hardware error) and your
system is configured properly and has worked fine in the past then you may need
to reboot the machine before trying to run this application again.  The reason
being that something with the MIDI subsystem either did not initialize
correctly or get cleaned up correctly.  The only way to insure proper
performance is to reboot the machine.

Q: When the error window pops up it the error says my system can receive
messages only.  How can I fix this?
A: If you are using IBM's MPU-401 driver along with your normal sound card
driver you may have to change one of the settings in your config.sys. What you
need to do is look for the line in your config file for the MPU driver and add
the parameter /O:NORMIRQ. If you are not using the MPU driver then maybe your
soundcard driver isn't enabled for recording incoming MIDI messages just
playback.
A: You should also try to use Theta Band's much improved MPU driver.  Their
website is http://www.thetaband.com.

Q: I've installed the MPU-401 driver according to the instructions and when my
system boots I get an error that the driver cannot find any MPU ports. What can
I do?
A: Sometimes a soundcard driver will take exclusive control of the MPU port
effectively preventing any other driver from communicating with it.  One
workaround to this is to make sure that the MPU driver is loaded BEFORE the
soundcard driver.  Just edit your config.sys and make sure that the entry for
the MPU driver is before the entry for the soundcard driver.

Q: I tried to use MIDI Station Sequencer before unsuccessfully.  I then read
and followed the directions on setting up my system properly but I still get
error messages about RTMIDI not configured properly upon startup?  What else
can I do?
A: One problem may be that you need to change your settings in the settings
notebook.  Look at the Connections page and make sure to select the right
driver.  Even though it may already be highlighted - select it anyway and make
sure to APPLY the changes.

Q: I have tried to use the MIDI Thru option but when I play notes on my
keyboard they aren't


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 14. B ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 15. C ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

What is this thing called MIDI?  MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument
Digital Interface and is a language that allows synthesizers, keyboards, and
computers to talk to one another. This form of communication or protocol can be
saved in what is known as MIDI files which usually have the file extension
.mid.  The MIDI protocol is an entire music description in binary form.  Each
word describes a specific action of a musical performance. So to sound a note
there is "Note On" message and of course there is a corresponding "Note Off"
message as well. Other MIDI messages include selecting which instrument to
play, mixing and panning sounds, and controlling other aspects of electronic
instruments.

There are actually three components to MIDI which are the Connector(hardware
interface), the communications Protocol(language) and a distribution format
called Standard MIDI Files. We'll talk about each one in some detail.

Connector(hardware interface)
MIDI devices are typically connected to one another using a 5-pin DIN connector
commonly known as a MIDI cable.  Most, if not all, soundcards today provide
MIDI connectivity via the joystick port using an adapter which usually must be
purchased separately.  Usually the adapters have a connector to the joystick
port and two MIDI connectors: one for MIDI In and the other for MIDI out
communication.  Devices can be "chained" together using MIDI cables so that
they can talk to one another or be centrally controlled from a computer or
"master" device such as a keyboard or hardware sequencer.

Protocol
The protocol or method of communication between MIDI devices is a system of
messages that specify what particular action is to be taken.  Another way of
stating it is that the protocol is an entire music description in binary form.
Each action or event of a musical performance is assigned a specific binary
code.  Since MIDI was designed for keyboards many of the actions or events are
percussion oriented.  To play a note in the MIDI language there is a "Note ON"
message that includes the note to be played, the velocity (the loudness of the
note) and also the channel.  Other MIDI messages control things such as the
overall volume, panning, setting which instrument to play,  tempo changes, time
signature changes and others dealing with electronic music instruments.

MIDI uses the concepts of channels to allow for communication between multiple
MIDI devices.  There are a total of 16 channels that can be assigned and most
messages or events that are sent include a channel value.  Typically a musician
will assign each of his keyboards to a different channel or if his keyboard is
multi-timbral each sound will be assigned a different channel.  This allows
MIDI messages to be sent to any device and only the device that has the same
channel as the message(s) being sent will respond or perform the event.

Messages are a sequence of 8-bit bytes.  Some are one byte, others have two
bytes and one type of message can have unlimited bytes.  But the one thing all
messages have in common is that the first byte is the Status byte. This byte
specifies what type of message it is.  There are different types of status:
Voice,