23
TUTORIAL: USING MIDI
TUTORIAL
Using MIDI
U
NDERSTANDING
MIDI
WHAT IS MIDI?
The letters MIDI stand for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, an
international standard for connecting MIDI equipped synthesizers, drum
machines, and other electronic instruments so that they can exchange
data. Personal computers can also be equipped for MIDI communication.
Electronic instruments equipped with MIDI can transmit and receive
performance data such as, notes, what sound to play, pedal information,
volume, etc. This data can be recorded with a device like a sequencer or
a computer.
MIDI JACKS
Instruments equipped with MIDI have usually three jacks for exchanging
data:
IN, OUT,
and
THRU
. (Some instruments have only IN and OUT.)
These jacks are used to connect MIDI devices to one another using a
special cable.
Each terminal has a different function.
IN
:
For receiving MIDI data from another MIDI instrument.
OUT
:
For sending MIDI data to another MIDI instrument.
THRU :
For passing along MIDI data received to another MIDI instrument
without processing.
Depending on how they are connected, instruments are grouped as those
which receive data (producing sound when data is received from a
connected instrument), those which send data (to instruments to which
they are connected), and those which both send and receive data.
MIDI CHANNEL
MIDI uses what are known as “
channels
” as a means of routing MIDI
data intended to play a specified instrument or specified part. By
channelizing MIDI data, you can control multiple parts in multiple
instruments with a single cable.
There are two aspects of channels, one for
receiving
and one for
sending
.
The MIDI channel of the receiving instrument must be matched with the
MIDI channel of the transmitting instrument. The idea is just like television
or radio. If you have a desired station to watch or listen to, you need to
tune in to the right channel. When a transmitting instrument uses channel
1, the receiving instrument must be set to use channel 1 also. The CN
piano lets you set the same channel number for both Transmit and receive.
There are 16 MIDI channels available to choose from on the CN piano.
In addition to channel-to-channel connection, it is possible to receive
3. U
SING
MIDI
