MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, a technical standard that lets electronic instruments, computers, and music equipment communicate with each other. Rather than transmitting actual audio, MIDI sends digital instructions about musical performance – which notes to play, when to play them, and how loud they should be. This makes MIDI files incredibly small and easy to edit, which is why it’s become such a fundamental tool in modern music production.
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a technical standard that allows electronic instruments, computers, and other equipment to communicate by sending performance data rather than audio signals. Think of it as sheet music for computers – it tells devices what notes to play, when to start and stop them, and how to express them, but doesn’t contain any actual sound.
The beauty of MIDI lies in its flexibility. Since you’re working with data instead of recorded audio, you can change any aspect of a performance after recording. Made a mistake on that piano part? Just move the wrong note to the right position. Want to try a different instrument sound? Simply switch the virtual instrument without re-recording. This editing power makes MIDI particularly valuable in music production courses where students need to experiment and refine their compositions.
Musicians also love MIDI for its efficiency. A MIDI file containing an entire symphony might only be a few kilobytes, while the audio recording would be hundreds of megabytes. This makes it perfect for sharing musical ideas, collaborating online, or working on projects with limited storage space. Plus, since MIDI is universal, a file created on one system will work on virtually any other music software or hardware.
MIDI works by sending messages that contain specific information about musical performance. Each message includes data about which note is played (pitch), when it starts and stops (timing), how hard the key was pressed (velocity), and various other performance parameters like pitch bend or modulation. These messages travel through MIDI channels, with up to 16 channels available for controlling different instruments simultaneously.
In a typical production setup, you might play a MIDI keyboard controller connected to your computer. When you press a key, the controller sends a “Note On” message with the pitch and velocity information. When you release the key, it sends a “Note Off” message. Your music software receives these messages and triggers the selected virtual instrument to produce the corresponding sound. The software records these MIDI messages, not the audio, which means you can edit every aspect of the performance later.
The real power becomes apparent when you start layering tracks. You could have drums on channel 10, bass on channel 1, piano on channel 2, and strings on channels 3-6. Each instrument responds only to its assigned channel, allowing complex arrangements to be built up gradually. Many producers enrolled in music production courses find this workflow transformative because it lets them focus on composition and arrangement without committing to specific sounds until later in the process.
MIDI data contains instructions for playing music, while audio files contain actual recorded sound waves. It’s like the difference between a recipe and a finished meal – MIDI tells you what ingredients to use and how to combine them, but the final result depends on what instruments or sounds you choose to use.
File sizes show the most obvious difference. A MIDI file of a three-minute song might be 20-50 KB, while an audio file of the same song would typically be 30-50 MB for high-quality formats. This happens because MIDI only stores performance information (which notes, when, how loud), while audio files must store thousands of samples per second of actual waveform data.
The editing capabilities differ dramatically too. With MIDI, you can change individual notes, adjust timing, transpose to different keys, or completely change the instrument sounds without affecting the performance data. Audio editing is more limited – while you can cut, copy, and apply effects, you can’t easily change individual notes or separate instruments that were recorded together. This makes MIDI ideal for composition and arrangement, while audio recording captures the unique character of acoustic instruments and vocal performances that can’t be replicated with MIDI.
Getting started with MIDI requires three basic components: a MIDI controller (like a keyboard or drum pad), a way to connect it to your computer, and software to receive and process the MIDI data. Most modern MIDI controllers connect directly via USB, eliminating the need for separate MIDI interfaces that older equipment required.
For beginners, a simple 25 or 49-key USB MIDI keyboard controller offers an affordable entry point, typically costing between £50-150. These controllers usually include basic controls like pitch bend and modulation wheels, plus some knobs or pads for additional expression. If you’re more interested in beat making, a pad controller might suit you better, with velocity-sensitive pads designed for programming drums and triggering samples.
On the software side, you’ll need a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) to record and edit MIDI data. Many controllers come bundled with basic DAW software to get you started. You’ll also want some virtual instruments – software that turns MIDI data into actual sounds. Most DAWs include a selection of basic instruments, but the options are endless, from realistic orchestral libraries to cutting-edge synthesizers. As you progress, you might add a dedicated audio interface for better sound quality and lower latency, especially important when playing virtual instruments in real-time.
Connecting MIDI devices starts with understanding the three types of MIDI ports: IN receives data, OUT sends data, and THRU passes received data through unchanged. For USB-MIDI devices, simply plug into your computer and install any required drivers. The device should appear automatically in your DAW’s MIDI settings.
For traditional 5-pin MIDI connections, connect the OUT port of your controller to the IN port of your sound module or interface. If you’re chaining multiple devices, use the THRU port to pass MIDI data to the next device in line. Always connect MIDI before powering on devices to avoid potential damage from electrical surges.
Common setup issues include MIDI feedback loops (when MIDI data creates an endless loop between devices), latency problems (delay between pressing a key and hearing sound), and driver conflicts. To troubleshoot, start with one device at a time, ensure your DAW isn’t echoing MIDI input back to the controller, and adjust your audio buffer settings if experiencing latency. Most modern systems handle MIDI well, but keeping drivers updated and closing unnecessary programs helps maintain optimal performance.
MIDI has revolutionised how we create, edit, and share music. Its ability to separate performance from sound generation gives musicians unprecedented creative control, whether you’re sketching ideas, producing full arrangements, or performing live. Understanding MIDI opens up endless possibilities for musical expression and collaboration.
As you explore MIDI’s capabilities, you’ll discover why it remains relevant after four decades. From bedroom producers to professional studios, MIDI continues to be an indispensable tool for anyone serious about music creation. At Wisseloord, we’ve seen countless artists transform their musical ideas into reality using these powerful tools and techniques.
If you’re ready to learn more, contact our experts today