The information exchanged between two MIDI devices is musical in nature. Much in the same way that two computers communicate via modems, two synthesizers communicate via MIDI. To have a complete understanding of how MIDI works, though, one should learn its history. Fortunately, the average consumer is learning more about the concept of MIDI through articles such as this one. MIDI is a communications protocol that allows electronic musical instruments to interact with each other.Īll too often I have seen misinformed customers browsing through a music store: 'Where do you keep your MIDIs?' 'I'd like to get a MIDI for my home computer.' 'I need to get two MIDIs so they can talk to each other, right?' Explaining to customers that they cannot just get a MIDI becomes frustrating to the salesman. But it is NOT a tangible object, a thing to be had. It allows composers to write music that no human could ever perform. It allows musicians to be more creative on stage and in the studio. It is a powerful tool for composers and teachers alike. MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface and has been the rage among electronic musicians throughout its six year existence.
