midi Flashcards
when was MIDI created?
1983
how many tracks can you record using general MIDI (GM)?
16
what does MIDI stand for?
Musical Instrument Digital Interface
name four of the main MIDI controllers
- velocity
- panning
- expression
- pitch bend
- sustain
what does velocity do?
controls the volume of individual notes
why was MIDI created?
to be used as a standard for interconnecting electronic musical instruments and computers
true or false, MIDI generates data but no sound?
true
give a feature of MIDI
it can be used to synchronise different hardware devices
what are some advantages of MIDI?
- it can be used anywhere
- file sizes are smaller
- all aspects of the sound can be edited
- effects can be applied to individual instruments
- no interference or background noise during recording
- can be used to create music without need for different musicians / instruments
what are some disadvantages of MIDI?
- dependent on quality of sound card for overall sound
- can not store vocals
- effects are limited
- less realistic sounds than actual instruments
what happened in 1981?
sequential circuits introduced common digital interface USI (universal synth interface)
how did MIDI become more popularised?
in 1984, popularity of the yamaha DX7 which used MIDI
what was added to the MIDI spec in 1986 and 87?
MIDI sample pump standard and MIDI time code
what are some MIDI guitars?
synth axe - 1980s, futuristic controller, fretboard attached to body at obtuse angle, strings used to indicate pitch
yamaha - 2000s, EZ-AG & EZ-EG, illuminated frets for finger techniques
what was MIDI drums?
2000, less common, overshadowed by software-based sequencing, sampling and the wide spread availability of drum loops
what is a wind synthesiser?
electronic sensors to convert fingering, breath pressure, bite pressure, finger pressure, other gesture into into control signals
what is MIDI light controllers?
MIDI signals can control light desks, allowing various lights & effects to synchronise with the music
what sort of games have MIDI been used on?
pac-man, super mario, guitar hero
name some software packages and key features
steinburg 16 - performer
notator
vision - first ever integrated audio & MIDI recording application
how have software packages developed into the modern day?
- notator developed into Logic
- steinberg became Steinberg 24 - cubase audio 1992
1st version with audio support & MIDI
what does current software allow you to do that wasnt possible 20 years ago?
use MIDI, mix and master audio for commercial use
steinberg - 16 track MIDI sequencer, real-time recording, editing options, notation, quantisation
notator - pattern based sequencers
MIDI guitar, drums, wind synths, light controllers, gaming industry
what was around before MIDI?
gramophones, analogue tape, multitrack recordings in studios - 4 or 8 track recordings
