Tag: Setup

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Traditional MIDI vs. USB MIDI: Which is Better for Music Production?

When it comes to MIDI music production, choosing between traditional MIDI cords and USB MIDI interfaces can be a bit of a dilemma. Both have their own unique advantages and can be better suited for different scenarios. Let’s dive into the details to help you make an informed decision.

USB MIDI Interfaces

1. Convenience USB MIDI interfaces are incredibly user-friendly. With plug-and-play functionality, they eliminate the need for additional hardware like MIDI interfaces. This makes them a great choice for those who want a quick and easy setup.

2. Compatibility USB is a universal standard, widely compatible with modern computers and devices. This versatility means you can connect your MIDI devices to almost any computer without worrying about compatibility issues.

3. Power Supply One of the significant advantages of USB is its ability to provide power to some MIDI devices. This reduces the need for extra power adapters, simplifying your setup even further.

4. Data Transfer Speed USB supports high-speed data transfer, which can be beneficial for real-time performance. This ensures that your MIDI signals are transmitted quickly and accurately, reducing latency and improving overall performance.

Traditional MIDI Cords

1. Reliability Traditional MIDI cords are specifically designed for musical instruments, ensuring stable and reliable communication. They have been the industry standard for decades, known for their robustness and dependability.

2. Length MIDI cords can be longer than USB cables, which can be useful in larger setups. If you need to connect devices that are far apart, traditional MIDI cords might be the better option.

3. Industry Standard MIDI has been the standard for musical instrument communication for a long time. This ensures broad compatibility with a wide range of devices, especially older equipment that might not support USB.

Which is Better?

For Modern Setups: USB MIDI interfaces are often preferred due to their ease of use, compatibility, and additional features like power supply and high-speed data transfer. They are ideal for modern, computer-based music production environments.

For Traditional or Complex Setups: Traditional MIDI cords might be better if you need longer cables or are working with older equipment that doesn’t support USB. They offer reliability and have been trusted by musicians for decades.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and setup. If you prioritize convenience and compatibility with modern devices, USB MIDI interfaces are the way to go. However, if you need longer cables or are working with older equipment, traditional MIDI cords might be more suitable.

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What is a MIDI Sequencer?

MIDI Sequencer

In the world of digital music production, a MIDI sequencer is an essential tool. It allows musicians and producers to create, edit, and play back music by managing MIDI data. This blog will focus on sequencer software for computers but will also touch on the fact that many keyboards come with built-in sequencers.

What is MIDI?

Before diving into MIDI sequencers, let’s briefly recap what MIDI is. MIDI, or Musical Instrument Digital Interface, is a protocol that allows electronic musical instruments, computers, and other devices to communicate. It sends instructions on how to play notes, rather than the audio itself. This makes MIDI a powerful tool for composing and arranging music.

What is a MIDI Sequencer?

A MIDI sequencer is a device or software that records, edits, and plays back MIDI data. Think of it as a digital music sheet that can capture every note and expression you play on a MIDI instrument. Sequencers can be either hardware (like those built into some keyboards) or software that runs on a computer.

Software MIDI Sequencers

Software MIDI sequencers are applications you install on your computer. They offer a wide range of features and flexibility, making them popular among musicians and producers. Here are some key aspects of software MIDI sequencers:

  1. Recording: You can record MIDI data from your keyboard or other MIDI instruments directly into the sequencer. This captures the notes you play, along with velocity (how hard you hit the keys) and other performance nuances.
  2. Editing: Once recorded, MIDI data can be edited with precision. You can change notes, adjust timing, tweak velocities, and add or remove control changes. This level of detail allows you to perfect your performances and compositions.
  3. Playback: MIDI sequencers can play back your MIDI data through virtual instruments or external hardware. This lets you hear your compositions with different sounds and instruments.
  4. Arrangement: You can arrange your MIDI recordings into complete songs. Most sequencers support multiple tracks, so you can layer different instruments and parts to create complex arrangements.
  5. Integration: Software MIDI sequencers often integrate with digital audio workstations (DAWs), allowing you to combine MIDI sequencing with audio recording and production. This makes them powerful tools for music production.

Built-in Sequencers in Keyboards

Many modern keyboards come with built-in multi-track sequencers. These hardware sequencers offer similar functionalities to software sequencers, including recording, editing, and playback of MIDI data. While they might not offer the same depth of features as computer-based sequencers, they are convenient for live performances and on-the-go music creation. Here are a few advantages of built-in sequencers:

  1. Portability: You don’t need to carry a computer to use a built-in sequencer. Everything you need is within the keyboard, making it great for live performances and mobile music production.
  2. Ease of Use: Built-in sequencers are often designed to be user-friendly, allowing musicians to quickly record and arrange their music without needing to navigate complex software interfaces.
  3. Integration: Since the sequencer is part of the keyboard, integration with the instrument is seamless. You can easily access the sounds and features of the keyboard while using the sequencer.

MIDI SequencersWhy Use a MIDI Sequencer?

MIDI sequencers are invaluable for several reasons:

  • Creativity: They allow for experimentation with different arrangements, sounds, and compositions.
  • Precision: You can fine-tune every aspect of your performance, ensuring that your music sounds exactly how you want it.
  • Efficiency: Sequencers make it easy to record and edit music, saving time compared to manual methods.
  • Flexibility: With software sequencers, you can use a wide range of virtual instruments and plugins, expanding your sonic possibilities.

In conclusion, a MIDI sequencer is a powerful tool for any musician or producer. Whether you use software on a computer or the built-in sequencer in a keyboard, the ability to record, edit, and play back MIDI data opens up endless creative possibilities. Understanding and utilizing MIDI sequencers can significantly enhance your music-making process, allowing you to create more complex and polished compositions.

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Sending Program Changes With MIDI

When it comes to electronic music, MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a game-changer. One of its powerful features is the ability to send program changes. This means you can switch instruments or sounds on your MIDI device with just a simple command. Let’s dive into how this works and why getting your MIDI connections right is crucial.

What are Program Changes?

Program changes are MIDI messages that tell your electronic instrument to switch to a different preset sound or instrument. For example, you could switch from a piano sound to a guitar sound on your synthesizer without physically touching the instrument. This is incredibly useful during live performances or when recording in a studio, as it allows for smooth transitions between different sounds.

Setting Up MIDI Connections

Before you can send program changes, you need to ensure your MIDI devices are connected correctly. MIDI devices typically have MIDI In, MIDI Out, and sometimes MIDI Thru ports. Here’s a simple way to understand them:

  • MIDI In: Receives MIDI data from another device.
  • MIDI Out: Sends MIDI data to another device.
  • MIDI Thru: Passes MIDI data received at MIDI In to another device (used for daisy-chaining multiple devices).

It’s essential to connect the MIDI Out of your controller (like a keyboard) to the MIDI In of your sound module or synthesizer. If these connections are incorrect, your devices won’t communicate, and no program changes will happen.

Sending Program Changes

Once your devices are connected, sending a program change is straightforward. Most MIDI controllers have buttons or dials that can send program change messages. Many devices manage and send program change MIDI messages automatically in the background, when you select the desired sound.

For example, if you want to switch to a piano sound, you might select program number 1. If you want a guitar sound, you might choose program number 25. The specific numbers can vary based on the General MIDI standard or the specific setup of your device.

Using the Learn Function

Many modern MIDI software and keyboards come with a “learn” function. This feature makes mapping MIDI controls to specific software parameters incredibly easy. Here’s how it works:

  1. Activate Learn Mode: In your software (like a digital audio workstation or DAW), find the MIDI learn function. It’s often a button labeled “Learn” or “MIDI Learn.”
  2.  Select the Control: Click on the software parameter you want to control (e.g., volume slider, effect knob). In this case we want the patch/program selector.
  3.  Move the Control: Move the corresponding control on your MIDI device (e.g., turn a knob, press a button). The software detects this movement and maps the control to the selected parameter.

This process ensures that your MIDI controller and software are perfectly in sync, making it easier to control your music.

Why It’s Important

Getting your MIDI connections right and understanding how to send program changes can significantly enhance your music-making process. It ensures that your instruments respond correctly to your commands, whether you’re performing live or working in a studio. Additionally, using the learn function simplifies the setup process and makes it easier to customize your controls.

In summary, sending program changes with MIDI opens up a world of possibilities for musicians. By connecting your devices correctly and utilizing features like the learn function, you can streamline your workflow and focus more on creating great music. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced musician, mastering these MIDI basics is essential for taking your music to the next level.

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What is General MIDI?

General MIDI

Imagine being able to connect different musical instruments, like keyboards, synthesizers, and computers, so they can all talk to each other. That’s exactly what MIDI, which stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, does. It’s like a common language that these devices use to communicate. But today, let’s talk about a specific part of this language called General MIDI. 

 Understanding MIDI 

Before we dive into General MIDI, let’s quickly understand MIDI. MIDI is a system that sends instructions to electronic instruments. For example, when you press a key on a MIDI keyboard, it doesn’t actually make a sound. Instead, it sends a message to another device, like a computer or a synthesizer, telling it which note to play, how long to play it, and how loud it should be. 

 What is General MIDI? 

General MIDI (often abbreviated as GM) is a standard that makes MIDI even more useful and consistent. It was introduced in 1991 to ensure that MIDI instruments and software can work together smoothly. GM does this by setting specific rules for how musical instruments should behave and sound. 

Key Features of General MIDI 

  1. Instrument Standardization: In General MIDI, there are 128 standard sounds or “instruments” assigned to specific numbers. For example, program number 1 is always a piano, number 25 is a guitar, and number 49 is a string ensemble. This means that no matter what GM-compatible device you use, program number 1 will always sound like a piano. This consistency is really helpful when sharing music files with others or using different devices.

 

  1. Percussion Channel: General MIDI reserves one of the 16 available channels (channel 10) just for percussion instruments like drums. Each key on a MIDI keyboard is mapped to a specific drum sound. So, hitting a particular key will always produce the same drum sound on any GM-compatible device.

 

  1. Polyphony: GM requires that a device can play at least 24 notes at the same time. This is called polyphony. It’s important for creating rich and complex music, especially when using multiple instruments or chords.

 

  1. Standardized Control Changes: GM also defines certain controls, like volume, pan (which speaker the sound comes from), and modulation (vibrato effects). This helps ensure that music sounds the same, no matter which GM device plays it.

 

Why is General MIDI Important? 

General MIDI makes it easy to create, share, and play music across different devices without worrying about compatibility issues. If you compose a song on a GM keyboard and save it as a MIDI file, you can share that file with someone else who has a GM-compatible device, and it will sound almost the same. This standardization has made MIDI incredibly popular in the music industry, from professional studios to home setups. 

 

Real-Life Examples

 

– Learning and Practicing: Many music teachers use GM keyboards to teach students. Students can practice at home on their own GM keyboards, and the sounds will be the same as in their lessons. 

– Gaming and Software: Video game composers often use GM because it ensures the music will sound right on any system that supports it. 

– Home Recording: Hobbyist musicians use GM in their home studios to create music that sounds professional and can be easily shared with others. 

 

In conclusion, General MIDI is like a universal translator for electronic musical instruments. It ensures that no matter what device you use, the music will sound

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Two Keyboards is like Four Keyboards

peavey dpm3
peavey dpm3

I remember in college when I bought my first two-tier keyboard stand. It was great. I was so excited. Now all I needed was the second keyboard. Of course being a penniless, starving student didn’t allow for the extravagance of purchasing excess gear. So I went for what seemed like a really long time with just one keyboard.

At the time I had a Peavey DPM3, which was actually way more keyboard than I knew what to do with. I was completely overwhelmed by the thought of oscillators and envelopes and filters and modulators. But one thing I did know was that I had 16 MIDI channels to work with and only one set of keys. And this was a limitation that I was determined to overcome.

Although I only owned one keyboard, I knew that if I could get my hands on another one I could “MIDI them together” to access way more sounds (using different MIDI channels) than I could play with just the one keyboard. For example, in performance mode I could layer 5 sounds using MIDI Channels 1-5 and play those all with the main keyboard. Then using a second keyboard as a controller I could access another bank of 5 sounds on channels 6-10 without ever needing to change patches. So even though I was playing the two sets of keys, I would only trigger the sounds from the main keyboard.

It gets better. Using this logic, I determined that I could also do the same for the second keyboard, and at the same time. I could make my ‘main’ keyboard access the ‘secondary’ keyboard’s sounds as well.

Kawai k1
Kawai k1

So, with much begging, threatening, and bribing, I convinced my brother to loan me his Kawai K1 for the weekend and I tried it.

Not only did my experiment work…. I looked SO COOL doing it! In fact, I think my wife married me because of this. (Ahhh… But that’s a story for another day)

By hooking the two keyboards together with MIDI, I was essentially using two sets of sounds from one and two sets of sounds from the other, at the same time. That’s why having two keyboards is actually like four keyboards.

SIDE NOTE: Using this logic… Three keyboards would be like having nine. I have yet to try that one.

What do you think? Do you have any interesting ‘MIDI Chaining” stories to tell?

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Latency

MIDI Latency
MIDI Latency

One of the common questions we get here at MIDIDrumFiles.com is regarding MIDI latency and how to correct it. This article explores what MIDI latency is, and what you can do about reducing its effects in your musical productions.

But before going into the remedies of the latency problem, let’s talk about what it is. Latency is the lag time between when any MIDI note is initially triggered to the time the sound actually exits the speakers. Latency is caused by the electronic processing needed to construct and send out each sound. There are many factors that contribute to the latency time in any given musical system.

Some of the devices that can affect latency time are: processor speed, RAM, sound cards, MIDI interfaces, USB interfaces, serial port interfaces, software program overhead drain, MIDI effects software, or MIDI player program. Essentially, any processing that needs to be done to the MIDI information before it sends out to the speaker will contribute to latency.

So then, what can you do about it? If you are experiencing MIDI latency problems, there are several steps you can take to combat the problem. The first and cheapest option to try is to examine the software you are using. Many software synths and MIDI sequencers actually have latency setting built into the program. This feature will allow you to set the latency time as low as you can. Setting the latency time too high will cause an annoying delay in the sound output. But too low of a setting and your computer will clip and stutter as the processor and software tries to keep up with the high demand. It’s your job to find that perfect balance for your particular setup.

If latency settings are not available to you however, start looking into upgrading your equipment. Or at least identifying the hardware you have that could be causing the problems. A better MIDI interface and sound card could do wonders. I’ve also read that USB interfaces are far less reliable than some other types of interfaces when it comes to latency. If you would like some more in-depth information on the specs of various equipment, take a look at these two articles by Martin Walker….. “The Truth About Latency”. I found them to be very helpful and informative.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Sep02/articles/pcmusician0902.asp

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Oct02/articles/pcmusician1002.asp 

As these articles point out, most of the time the latency delay time is not nearly as big of a factor in producing MIDI music as is the consistency of that delay. Some hardware and MIDI interfaces perform more consistently than others. And according to experts, this is the bigger issue.

Anytime you are dealing with computer or software generated music you will have to deal with latency. There’s no way to get around that. It is possible however, to bring that latency time down to where you cannot detect it with the human ear. A little investigation work into your individual system’s components will go a long way towards giving you the results you desire.

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FAQ

MIDI F.A.Q.
All of our midi files follow this format:
sect. A – fill 1 – sect. A – fill 2 – sect. B – fill 3 – sect. B – fill 4
Edit and loop to your hearts content !

How do I access these files?

There are two ways.  

 

Play them from your browser

    If you simply click on any of the file names located on our download page your browser will automatically download the file and begin playing the MIDI file.  This action does not save the file to your hard drive.  Most web browsers now days are equipped with a MIDI “plug-in” which recognizes the file(s) as MIDI and automatically begins to play them through your computer’s sound card and speakers. 
    The problem with this is that, in most cases, people have the stock sound card (which sounds horrible) that came with the computer.  So unless you have purchased a great after market sound card for your PC, these files probably sound a little weak.

    There are a couple of ways around this though.  

   ***  One is to get a software based MIDI synth. there are a bunch of them that you can buy, but there are also some really good ones for free. These software synths convert the MIDI data into ‘high quality’ musical sound (unlike most sound cards) and then pushes the music out your sound card. These are a great alternative to buying expensive MIDI equipment.

Here’s a list of some good software MIDI players
       http://aitech.ac.jp/~ckelly/midi/help/midi-players.html

Loopy – Great software!  and it’s FREE.

    Here are some others you might want to try out. (I have little or no experience with these.)     

 

    **** Another way is to buy an external MIDI sound unit. This is the route I go because the units are so much more editable and don’t take up precious computer RAM and CPU speed. Plus you can use them for other things if the need arises. 
    The MIDI data goes to this unit instead of through your sound card. That means you have to hook it up to your computer and have an external speaker source. (minor problems)
    I use a Korg NX5R unit: (click here for more information)

  This unit costs around $400 – $500 and is well worth it. It’s like having a studio Keyboard in a little box. 

    There are many different kinds of these modules that can be used with your computer.  Virtually every major keyboard has a rack mount, and module version that you can buy. 
    You can also use any MIDI compatible keyboard as your sound source. You don’t have to use a “little box”.

Download the files

    The reason I have these MIDI files available to download is not so much so that you can play them from your browser, but rather to download them into your computer for editing. This way you can use them as backing tracks for your songs or piece them together just for fun, or do what ever you want with them.

    You can download the files by clicking the RIGHT mouse button on whichever file you want to download. When you do this, a drop-down menu will appear. Simply select “Save File As….” and tell the computer where, on your hard drive, to save it.  Once it is saved you can import the file into any MIDI editing device or software where you can then use the file(s) however you want to.

    If you don’t have a software MIDI sequencer, here are some I can suggest. (There are MANY others)

    Cakewalk  –  Emagic – Opcode

Q: Why do these MIDI files sound so bad?

A: The files don’t sound bad…..  Your sound card does!

And before you say “How Dare They….”, please read why we can say this with certainty. Click here! and read… “Play them from your browser”

 

     If you have other questions about downloading these files please let us know: Contact Us