May 1, 2024
Updated May 9, 2025
22 minute read
MIDI, an acronym for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, is a technical standard that allows electronic musical instruments, computers, and other related audio devices to communicate with each other. It doesn't transmit actual audio signals; instead, it sends messages that describe musical actions, such as which note is played, how hard it's pressed, and for how long. Think of it like digital sheet music – it contains the instructions, and the connected device or software then generates the sound based on those instructions. This elegant system has revolutionized music production, performance, and composition since its inception.
7or4l0|
Find a path to becoming a MIDI. Learn more at:
OpenCourser.com/topic/7or4l0/mid
Reading list
We've selected 21 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
MIDI.
Comprehensive reference covering MIDI 1.0 and the newer MIDI 2.0 specifications. It's an excellent resource for gaining a broad understanding of MIDI, its history, and its applications in modern music production. It delves into setting up MIDI systems, using electronic instruments and DAWs, and explores sequencing and mixing techniques. This valuable reference tool for both students and working professionals.
Teaches how to compose, perform, edit, and sequence music on a computer using MIDI.
Providing complete coverage of MIDI hardware and software, this guide is suitable for both Mac and Windows platforms. It offers an in-depth look at MIDI messages and protocols and helps users understand when and how to use MIDI effectively. useful reference tool for navigating MIDI within a computer environment and is valuable for musicians, sound designers, and audio enthusiasts.
A comprehensive guide to MIDI, covering both technical and creative aspects.
Covers how to connect MIDI devices, create and edit MIDI data, and work with MIDI software.
Considered a foundational text, this book was one of the first to clearly explain the impact of MIDI on music creation. It uses diagrams and examples to demystify MIDI for musicians and home studio owners. While older, it provides a solid introduction to MIDI's concepts and practical usage in a home studio environment.
A practical guide to using MIDI for sequencing and recording music.
An earlier edition of Huber's comprehensive manual, this book focuses specifically on the practical application of MIDI within a project studio setting. It covers setting up a MIDI system, using electronic instruments, and working with sequencers. It's a solid resource for understanding MIDI in a home recording context.
Provides clear explanations of synthesis and sampling techniques and how they are controlled by MIDI messages. It's not limited to specific software, making it broadly applicable to various software instruments. It helps solidify the understanding of how MIDI is used in sound creation and useful resource for students and those building a project studio.
An updated edition of the foundational text, this book continues to be a key resource for understanding computer music, including the role of MIDI. It offers in-depth coverage of various topics relevant to digital audio and music synthesis, providing a strong theoretical and technical background. It valuable reference for advanced study.
Teaches everything a keyboardist needs to know about MIDI.
While focused on a specific DAW (Ableton Live), this book heavily involves the application of MIDI within a modern production environment. It demonstrates how MIDI is used for sequencing, controlling instruments, and creative production techniques within a popular software. It's highly relevant for users of Ableton Live and provides practical context for MIDI usage.
Is designed specifically for guitarists who want to learn about MIDI.
Aimed at beginners, this book provides an introduction to MIDI and its basic concepts. It's a good starting point for those new to music technology and MIDI, offering a gentle introduction to the topic. It's helpful for gaining initial background knowledge.
While focused on synthesizers, this book includes essential information on how synthesizers utilize MIDI for control and communication. It covers the history, programming, and usage of synthesizers, providing crucial background for understanding the instruments that heavily rely on MIDI. is valuable for both beginners and experienced users of synthesizers.
This resource (often found as articles or videos) introduces the basics of using MIDI for music production in a home studio setting. It covers fundamental concepts like what MIDI is, how it works, and how to set up and use MIDI controllers. It's a good starting point for beginners to understand the practical application of MIDI.
Provides a cultural history of MIDI, exploring its impact on music technology and production throughout the 20th century. It offers a broader perspective beyond the technical aspects, examining the social and historical context of MIDI's development and adoption. This is excellent additional reading for understanding the significance of MIDI.
Provides a beginner-friendly guide to using Logic Pro X, a popular DAW that extensively utilizes MIDI. It covers recording, editing, and manipulating MIDI data within the software, offering practical instruction for those learning music production with this tool. It's a good resource for understanding MIDI in a specific software context.
Provides a broad introduction to the foundations of computer music instruments, which are often controlled by or interact with MIDI. It delves into the design and development of these instruments, offering a deeper technical understanding of the systems that utilize MIDI data. It is suitable for those interested in the underlying technology.
Celebrates the history and impact of synthesizers, drum machines, and samplers, instruments deeply intertwined with the history and use of MIDI. While not a technical manual, it provides valuable context on the evolution of electronic music instruments that MIDI was designed to connect and control. It's excellent for understanding the landscape in which MIDI operates.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/topic/7or4l0/mid
Save
