The Sirius and MIDI:
If you already own an expanded MIDI-device setup and have made all the connections yourself,
you can probably ignore this section. Those amongst you who wish to connect a MIDI-keyboard to
your computer for the first time should pay strict attention to the diagrams and explanations in this
chapter.
First we want to clear some facts which always lead to misunderstandings. MIDI cables
only transmit
from one Midi device to another (eg. "note-on", "note length"
or "note- off").
It therefore makes
absolutely no sense to connect a MIDI-cable to an audio-input or output of an amplifier or mixing
desk. Such connections are to be avoided at all costs because you may well damage your MIDI-
device .
MIDI is an abbreviation and it means "Musical Instruments Digital Interface". MIDI is an international
standard used by most manufacturers of electronic musical instruments. This is why you can connect
devices made by different manufacturers using MIDI, allowing them to 'talk' to each other. A
allows MIDI-devices to communicate with each other and exchange data. The transmitted
data can for example contain information on the pitch, the length, the volume or the sound number
which a synthesiser is to play. A MIDI-interface can administrate up to 16 MIDI channels. They func-
tion similarly to the channels of a radio or television. Data that is sent on a particular MIDI-channel
can also only be received by the same channel. In a MIDI system you can send and receive on all
channels simultaneously. The Sirius works on 7 MIDI-channels. It is therefore possible that the Sirius
can play 7 different sounds with different melodies and rhythms at the same time. We say the Sirius
has a 7-part multimode.
1.) The MIDI-IN socket of one device is always connected to the MIDI-OUT socket of the other de-
vice. The MIDI-OUT socket is the connection from which MIDI-data is sent from a device. The
MIDI-IN socket is the connection to which MIDI data is fed to a device. The MIDI-THRU-socket
takes in the arriving MIDI data and passes it on to the next device without changing it.
2.) When connecting your MIDI-devices you should make sure that you only use high-quality, proper
MIDI-cables. Similar cables from your Hi-fi store ( eg. tape recorder 'DIN' cables) are often not suit-
able because they can be wired differently.
3) MIDI-cables should never be longer than 5 metres. Data transfer via MIDI is optimal through ca-
bles up to this length. Longer MIDI-cables can cause problems.
Important:
It is impossible to transmit and hear a sound (audio-signal) via a MIDI-cable.
Midi control information
MIDI-
interface
MIDI? What on earth
that?
Connecting MIDI-Gear:
is
There are some rules regarding connecting MIDI-devices which you should pay strict attention to:
The Sirius and MIDI
100
3 Rules
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