Questions tagged [midi]
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a protocol used to allow music hardware, software and other equipment to communicate with each other.
486
questions
18
votes
3
answers
11k
views
Are there any MIDI extensions that allow quarter tones?
It'd be nice to be able to use MIDI for more diverse music than just that based on western scales. Are there any MIDI extensions that support quater tones, or other sub-semi-tone pitch divisions? I ...
- 2,218
15
votes
3
answers
3k
views
What is the rationale of electronic keyboards having the voices that they do?
It inevitably starts with a piano voice, then electric piano voices. Chromatically pitched percussion, guitars, strings, and so on, ending with drums. Even the most limited of keyboards have this ...
- 872
15
votes
6
answers
7k
views
MIDI: How do I refer to (and search for) software that will play audio from a MIDI piano?
I have a MIDI digital piano that connects to a computer via USB (it also has a normal MIDI out port too) and I'd like to browse for software that lets me play music through my computer's speakers. I ...
- 153
14
votes
9
answers
35k
views
Transcribing a Standard MIDI File to sheet music
I have a couple of nice guitar midi files that I would like the scores for; is there any software out there that can do this sort of conversion, and output it as a PDF file?
Thanks
- 141
14
votes
3
answers
990
views
In Lilypond, silence parts of midi output
I need to engrave a choir piece, where some voices have unpitched parts, like whispered, spoken or screamed words. I want to engrave this using cross-headed notes, like in the following piece of music:...
- 285
13
votes
4
answers
26k
views
Is there such a thing as a silent drum set?
One can learn to play the piano on an electronic or midi keyboard with closed headphones without waking up the roommate. Is there anything equivalent for drumming? Some sort of nearly silent drum ...
- 1,792
13
votes
6
answers
63k
views
Cheap way to make sound from a MIDI keyboard, without PC
I have a USB MIDI keyboard which is totally useless when not plugged in into a PC and playing a digital instrument. Is there a cheap way, for example some type of box which has predefined sounds, ...
- 241
13
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Is the polyphony limit on a Digital piano tied to the sound engine?
I don't want to end up paying more for a digital piano for a higher polyphonic capability if I don't need it.
I was wondering if the polyphony limit on digital pianos is tied to the sound engines they ...
- 133
13
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Why were sound effects like the gunshot included in the General MIDI (GM) standard?
I recently learned about the general MIDI standard and one thing that I cannot understand is the last sound effect is always a gunshot. Most of the other effects like applause, telephone ring, and ...
Dom♦
- 47.3k
12
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Synthesizer: why playing a second time the same note shut down the first one?
When playing on synthesizers, usually when playing a second time the same note, even if the release phase is very long or the sustain pedal is pressed, the first note is shut down. Put in another way, ...
- 4,564
12
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Why is MIDI gain based on a factor of 40?
Many documents state that the MIDI standard gain is 40 * log10(CC7/127).
I've found only one person asking why, with no replies. This document says that voltage (amplitude) gain is a factor of 20, not ...
- 365
12
votes
4
answers
2k
views
What's the purpose of the key signature information in a MIDI file?
My understanding is that MIDI files use fixed numbers/names for all notes, as shown e.g. in this chart. At the same time, MIDI has a "key signature" meta-event. What's the purpose of the key signature ...
- 499
11
votes
1
answer
5k
views
What is `Roland's pitch` and `Yamaha's pitch`? and How to convert notes to them?
I have an assign that convert this sheet to 'Roland's pitch' and 'Yamaha's pitch'. I have no idea about what is Roland's pitch and Yamaha's pitch, neither how to do it.
Please let me know.
using this ...
- 119
11
votes
9
answers
30k
views
How to use my mac and MIDI keyboard as a simple always-on piano
I know how to use my MIDI keyboard in GarageBand for instance and play it with different instruments etc. But what I want is to be able to play a few notes here and there even when I'm in the middle ...
- 113
10
votes
2
answers
966
views
Difference between MIDI tracks and channels
I am confused about midi channels and tracks. What is exactly the difference, and what is the use of a track at all? I can send my midi messages to the channels with the first 4 bits of a status byte, ...
- 300
10
votes
5
answers
6k
views
Mac vs PC for music production [closed]
I'm a musician and occasional composer, and a Windows PC user. I've heard a lot of times about benefits of using a Mac for these purposes. But I wonder: what are these "benefits"?
10
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What is the difference between [144,*,0] and [128,*,64] to end a midi note?
I've noticed that sometimes Logic or my midi devices send [144,*,0] (where * is the note) when a note is complete, and other times sends [128,*,64]. What's the difference?
- 341
10
votes
1
answer
763
views
Lilypond: define MIDI output file name
I am trying to make Lilypond create a MIDI output file whose name corresponds song title, but I didn't succeed so far. Maybe someone can help?
From the Lilypond notation reference (https://lilypond....
- 728
10
votes
1
answer
110k
views
How to play a MIDI controller keyboard on Windows? [duplicate]
I bought a second-hand MIDI controller keyboard recently hoping to be able to plug it in to my Windows laptop and play away. It has not been as easy as I hoped, and I have not been able to get my ...
- 203
9
votes
10
answers
44k
views
How can I make my keyboard sound like a Hammond organ?
I have a keyboard. It can play the basic MIDI sounds. I would like it to have a Hammond organ sound. Since I'm not sure if I can upload new sounds to its MIDI bank, I'm looking for a way to 'effect' ...
- 191
9
votes
1
answer
665
views
Can Lilypond change MIDI instruments during a piece?
I am writing a brass piece that includes the instruction con sordino for the trumpet at one point. As there is in fact a muted trumpet MIDI instrument, I would like to switch the staff's channel to ...
9
votes
1
answer
5k
views
How to get raw signal from a divided or hexaphonic pickup
I have been looking for a way to get a truly divided signal from each string on an electric guitar.
The problem is I don't want the signal to be in a midi format because midi throws away a lot of ...
- 693
9
votes
1
answer
260
views
Where am I going wrong in interpreting this MIDI string?
I have been making some basic MIDI files (based on one created by an app) and they are not behaving exactly as I expected. Take the following string:
00 90 36 50 00 39 50 00 3B 50 00 3E 50 9F 7F B0 ...
- 93
8
votes
3
answers
6k
views
How to decode this CSV from a MIDI file?
So I decoded a midi file using a MIDI to CSV converter I found online.
The ouput is :
2, 3072, Note_on_c, 1, 26, 96
After reading on MIDI format, I still don't understand what I see here. What ...
- 191
8
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Why do MIDI note off messages have velocities?
I understand why note on messages have velocities, but surely note off messages just turn them off - why do they also have a velocity?
Equally, I checked if these velocities match up to the ...
- 125
8
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Two consecutive midi note-on of the same pitch misbehaving
I am currently writing a haskell program that imitates the play of a human Guitar player and spits out Midi events. As a Guitar I am using a sampled Telecaster on Fluidsynth/Qsynth.
To mimick a slide-...
8
votes
1
answer
344
views
MIDI count in with Lilypond
I tend to score in lilypond most of the classical piano pieces I practice. It forces me to examine the score in detail and it is also useful to audibly check against what I read/play.
Is it possible ...
- 907
8
votes
3
answers
975
views
How to record MIDI automatically?
I have a Yamaha Disklavier, an acoustic piano with MIDI output. My son improvises on it when he is in the mood, which is quite frequently. It's good stuff and I'd like to capture the MIDI output of ...
- 183
8
votes
8
answers
58k
views
How do I use my computer as an amp and effects processor
I have an electric guitar and an m-audio preamp-usb and would like to use my laptop to record music as well as listen to what I am playing. I would also like to use it as an effects processor. Ι have ...
8
votes
4
answers
651
views
Bitwig doesn't have ties in the imported Midi file
When I create a MIDI file in Guitar Pro 6, and load it into Bitwig, everything is fine, except for the ties. For instance, I create this track on Guitar Pro:
Export it as MIDI and load it onto Bitwig....
- 31k
7
votes
3
answers
30k
views
What keys are associated to what drums when connecting keyboard to Roland electronic drum via MIDI?
How do I know which key to press on my keyboard to get the kick drum or the cymbals for example ?
- 730
7
votes
7
answers
14k
views
Get rid (or die trying) of latency when using a MIDI instrument
I'm using Logic Pro (I have Snow Leopard) and I have a Korg R3 and a VB-99 as music instruments...
I use usb connection on both and I would like to have suggestions and ideas to get rid of the latency ...
- 591
7
votes
4
answers
855
views
Why does my midi device have a long delay (cool-down period) between consecutive key presses?
When pressing a key on my midi device and monitoring it in Midi-OX, it takes a long time (about 5 seconds) before it registers another input. Note that I'm nót talking about the delay between pressing ...
- 81
7
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What's the purpose of time signature information in a MIDI file?
My understanding based on the MIDI spec is that for audio-only playback (i.e. no accompanying visual notes display), the only time information necessary to read from a MIDI file is:
The division ...
- 499
7
votes
3
answers
17k
views
How can I make videos of myself playing my keyboard?
I have a Privia PX 150 keyboard.
I want to start recording myself playing so I can show my friends and family videos of my progress.
So what I had in mind was film my hands, but record the audio ...
- 73
7
votes
2
answers
301
views
What do shorter-than-thirty-two-note MIDI pedalboards bar you from playing?
There have been questions before about what utility can be derived from a two-octave keyboard in terms of learning any keyboard idioms. Well, two five-octave MIDI controllers and a volume pedal seem ...
- 872
7
votes
1
answer
550
views
What file format does timidity's -Z (or --freq-table) option require?
I'm trying to figure out how to use the "-Z" (or "--freq_table") option of timidity to assign specific frequencies to midi note numbers, but there is no clear documentation online.]
How do I specify ...
- 17.8k
7
votes
1
answer
251
views
How do I make the staff for dynamics affect the MIDI output?
I've written a lovely[citation needed] piece of piano music using Denemo (a graphical front-end to Lilypond), consisting of a piano staff with a staff for dynamics inserted in between them.
The ...
- 337
7
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Sibelius midi export makes things complex
I have a simple song that when I export to midi becomes very complex. Could someone tell me what is causing Sibelius to do this?
Oriignal:
Midi Export:
user10164
7
votes
2
answers
950
views
Triggering melodic sounds with electronic drums?
I play a Roland TD-30K drum kit and have been working to extend what can be done with this incredible piece of technology for quite some time now. A sort of holy grail I have been aiming for is the ...
- 71
6
votes
8
answers
18k
views
Why does software-synthesized MIDI music sound so bad?
It seems like converting MIDI into sound should be simple enough: record all possible notes, and then just superimpose the individual sounds according to the MIDI data (offsets, duration and volume), ...
- 304
6
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Black MIDI: Add 1/256 note in midi file?
I'm working on creating some black MIDI music. Is there any way that I can add a note that is shorter than a 1/128 note in midi? Like 1/256 or 1/1024 (if I am crazy). I have tried rosegarden and ...
- 171
6
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Sending microtuned MIDI notes to audio software
I know about the possibility to microtune softwares such as Logic or Pianoteq, connect a regular midi keyboard and be able to play microtuned scales.
My question, however, is if I connect an ...
- 61
6
votes
3
answers
235
views
What happens technically when you accentuate on a time-signature?
When you have a 4/4 time signature you typically accentuate beats "1" and (minorly) "3" for every measure. On a piano, what does that mean technically? Is beat "1" just louder or is it also a (little) ...
- 293
6
votes
2
answers
350
views
Pan vs Balance in MIDI
Musink Pro lets can supplement your music notation with custom MIDI instructions. The MIDI instructions are sent directly to your selected MIDI device as the score plays.
I have started using Pan to ...
- 421
6
votes
4
answers
916
views
Faking a human performance in midi
Whether this question really belongs here or in some other part of StackExchange, I do not know. If the general public or the admins would like to see it moved elsewhere, I'd of course be happy to ...
- 69
6
votes
1
answer
218
views
What is the purpose of 0-length midi notes?
I have several midi files that contain notes with 0 duration. There will be a note_on event, then the next event for the same note says note_off and the time attribute is 0. Is there a purpose to ...
- 201
6
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Very portable MIDI synth [closed]
I was planning to buy a very small MIDI keyboard (akai lpk25).
Of course to make it produce sounds, I would need to connect it (via USB) to my laptop.
Question: say one day I want to go to the park ...
- 61
6
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Understanding just intonation, Timidity, and Scala
I'm not a programmer but I am working on a program that manipulates music via MIDI files in all sorts of interesting ways.
I want to add the ability to use alternate tunings. I even went so far as to ...
- 363
6
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What is a good freeware MIDI editor for minor changes running on Windows?
I compose music on my CVP-501. I record the tracks on a MIDI (.mid) file and record them as a wave (.wav) file. However, being human, I make mistakes. Plus, my setup for recording could be a lot ...
- 63