Orchid SoundWave 32Pro, User Manual

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Appendix B : MIDI
SoundWave 32Pro User's Manual 53
MIDI
This section gives you an overview of the MIDI
specification, and provides a list of the Patches and
Percussion sounds stored on SoundWave 32Pro.
MIDI Overview
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a
serial communications protocol designed specifi-
cally for electronic music devices. MIDI (pro-
nounced "mid-ee") has revolutionized the composi-
tion, recording, and performance processes by al-
lowing many instruments to be centrally-controlled
like one electronic orchestra. The MIDI Manufac-
turers Association (MMA) is responsible for the
development and evolution of MIDI.
MIDI contains instructions controlling how and
when devices like digital synthesizers produce
sound. You can think of MIDI as a sort of Postscript
for music. Postscript describes objects, rather than
casting them into bitmapped form. MIDI describes
the elements of the musical performance, rather
than casting them into the bitstreams of digital
audio.
General MIDI
The SoundWave 32Pro supports the General MIDI
wave synthesis specification. General MIDI defines
specific and predictable sounds for each of 128
program locations. This allows composers and
producers to include program change commands
in compositions that will configure the timbres
appropriately for the tracks.
Appendix
B