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MIDI
,→MIDI Tracks and Automation
* Note-Off
* Program Changes (PC's)
* Control Changes (CC's) (includes Bank Select and NRPN messages)
Notes are typically associated with MIDI controllers/keyboards or drum machines (or e-kits). For guitar, MIDI is useful to control devices, switching patches, switching effects on/off, or controlling effect parameters. PC's are used for changing patches, while CC's toggle and manipulate parameters. However, keyboards often come equipped with controllers that are designed to send CC messages - pitch and mod wheels, rotary dials, and sliders. As well as non-piano format notes: tap pads, and buttons.
===== NRPN (Non-Registered Parameter Numbers) =====
'''NRPN''' messages are special sequences of CC messages designed to access parameters on devices that have more than 128 parameters (max address size of a standard 7-bit CC message) or has parameters that do not correspond to the standard usage of the 128 available CC addresses.
==== Channel Mode ====
DAW audio tracks as well as MIDI tracks often provide a host of additional automation tracks for parameters you can control via MIDI CC messages, such as pitch, volume, or pan, as well as parameters for plugins on the track. These parameters can be assigned to a particular control on a MIDI controller and recorded live, or programmed via the DAW software.
MIDI tracks are often used exclusively to control other devices, such as modelers or MIDI enabled amps or effects units during live performances. This frees up the performer's feet from "tap dancing" on a foot controller and ensures all patch changes are accurate and perfectly in time with the beat. It can additionally allow control that would be physically impossible such as using multiple expression pedals simultaneously or stuttering a value up/down or on/off extremely fast.
=== MIDI Software ===
==== MIDI Monitor/Analyzer ====
MIDI monitor/analyzer software, like [http://www.midiox.com/ '''MIDI-Ox'''] are very helpful for debugging what MIDI devices or automation tracks are actually sending to the DAW or other devices. If you are using a MIDI floorboard designed to send multiple CC messages at the press of a single switch, this can be helpful to make sure they are firing ''in the correct order'' or ''the correct number of times''. You can verify expression pedals are sending the correct CC number and values.
==== Editor ====
Most DAW's provide a built-in MIDI editor; however, a wide-range of software exists for this purpose, that can make programming or viewing MIDI information more efficient or simple.
==== Player ====
Most audio player software will play MIDI (.mid) files. They will typically rely the operating system to convert the MIDI information into sound. The operating system in turn relies on a sound driver, which may use the CPU or dedicated hardware. While the MIDI file itself will specify the instrument number according to a General MIDI standard, the sound driver can interpret this how it chooses. Early drivers used '''FM Synthesis''' - combining a finite number of sine waves (or noise) to approximate the sound of real-world instruments. This was eventually replaced with '''Wavetable Synthesis''' which used audio (.wav) samples of real instruments for each MIDI instrument.
== MIDI Standards ==
* SysEx support to alter synth engine
=== General MIDI Level 2 ===
'''General MIDI Level 2''' or '''GM2''' reconciled competing proprietary extensions to GM. It also included a number of additional standards to extend even further.