MIDI
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MIDI
3-1
Overview
3-1-1
About MIDI
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a standard that allows electronic musical
instruments to communicate with each other, by sending and receiving compatible types of
MIDI data or messages. The types of MIDI data include Note, Control Change, Program
Change and various other types.
This synthesizer can control other MIDI devices by transmitting note-related data and various
types of controller data. It can also be controlled by incoming MIDI messages which
automatically determine the tone generator mode, select MIDI channels, Voices and Effects,
change parameter values, and of course play the Voices specified for the various parts.
3-1-2
MIDI channels
MIDI performance data is assigned to one of sixteen MIDI channels. Using these channels,
1 through 16, the performance data for sixteen different instrument parts can be
simultaneously sent over one MIDI cable.
Think of the MIDI channels as TV channels. Each TV station transmits its broadcasts over a
specific channel.
Your home TV set receives many different programs simultaneously from several TV stations
and you select the appropriate channel to watch the desired program. MIDI operates on the
same basic principle.
Figure 56: MIDI Channels
A:
Weather Report
B:
News
The transmitting instrument sends MIDI data on a specific MIDI channel (MIDI Transmit
Channel) via a single MIDI cable to the receiving instrument. If the receiving instrument's MIDI
channel (MIDI Receive Channel) matches the Transmit Channel, the receiving instrument will
sound according to the data sent by the transmitting instrument.
A
B
B
1
2
2
