E. MIDI GUIDE
1.
MIDI for Organists
The term MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. Since 1983, MIDI
has been adopted by the music industry as a standard means of communication between
digital musical devices enabling instruments of different types and manufacturers to
communicate. MIDI by itself will not make a sound. It is not necessary to understand all of
the technical aspects of MIDI in order to take advantage of the benefits it offers. It is
important to explore the potential MIDI holds for musicians, as well as the various MIDI
applications available today.
Types of MIDI Devices
MIDI devices fall into two categories.
The first category consists of musical instruments such as organs and synthesizers that
transmit and receive MIDI data.
The second category includes controllers and processors that, as their name implies, can
transmit, receive or manipulate MIDI data, but do not necessarily produce sound
themselves. Sequencers, which are MIDI recording devices, fall into this category.
Although the technical nature of their recording and editing processes differs from those
of a tape recorder, many operate in similar fashion. Most are equipped with record,
playback, fast forward and reverse controls that function in the same way as their tape
recorder counterparts.
Types of MIDI Data
There are several types of MIDI messages that can be sent from one device to another. The
most common is keying information, allowing one device to sense which keys have been
played on another device. This means an organ equipped with MIDI can send information to
other MIDI devices, e.g., synthesizers or sequencers, and can play those devices
simultaneously or record information to be played back later.
Allen Organs incorporate an advanced MIDI system allowing the transmission and reception
of all types of MIDI information (velocity keying, volume, sustain, registrations and much
more). It is even possible to control several devices from one manual simultaneously, or
control a different device from each manual of the console.
MIDI as a Practice Tool
For the organist/choir director, the MIDI organ console and sequencer are valuable rehearsal
tools for both choral and organ works. Anthem accompaniments may be recorded in advance
and played back by the sequencer during choir rehearsal. The director, freed from the role of
accompanist, can focus entirely on directing the choir. The sequencer can play the music back
at a slower tempo without affecting pitch or at a lower pitch without affecting tempo, features
that are useful in rehearsing difficult choral passages.
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