jack_holeman
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- Total Posts : 16
- Joined: 2005/08/23 01:06:19
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UNDERSTAND BASIC MIDI
You should know that the word MIDI is an acronym that stands for Musical Instrument Data Interface, which means that a musical instrument can connect with a computer to record the notes.
You should also know that MIDI is used for controlling music with more accuracy and clarity than any other means of playing an instrument. MIDI is the ultimate musical instrument and the most applicable way to compose, arrange, perform, produce and publish a musical work.
You should also know that MIDI has been invented using the recording studio approach to music, and that the general outline for music recording is the easiest way to follow the MIDI process.
In a studio environment, you would have one track to record each instrument part and vocal. A recording that has bass, drums, piano, and guitar would have four tracks (one for each instrument part) and one for a vocal part, for a total of five tracks.
MIDI CAN CONTAIN AN ENUMERABLE NUMBER OF INSTRUMENT TRACKS, LIMITED ONLY BY THE EAR OF THE LISTENER AND THE ABILITY TO DISTINGUISH TONES AND DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN SOUNDS WITHIN A GIVEN AUDIO MIX.
As we learn MIDI we must take into consideration that each musical part has its own particular way of being performed.
For example, the bass plays one note at a time, in most cases, and represents the bottom end of the audio spectrum, carrying the meter and timing. A bassist plays the tonic, the fifth and specialized steps that fit into the scale of a particular musical work.
The drum track, on the other hand, plays several notes at the same time, such as a hi-hat or ride cymbal played together with a snare drum, offset by the bass drum and interjected with tom-toms, timbales or bongos.
The piano plays up to ten notes simultaneously, as would any claviture instrument (harpsichord, clavinet, organ, accordian, work station, xylophone, vibraphone, synthesizer, keyboard, etc.)
The guitar can play anywhere from four strings up to twelve strings simultaneously (ukelele, accoustic guitar, electric guitar, twelve string guitar, etc.)
So, as we approach the MIDI computer keyboard instrument, we bear in mind that a sound track is being created, one instrument at a time.
post edited by jack_holeman - 2005/09/19 18:30:13
Heckle and Jeckle were magpies who sang songs to lizards and bar flies... Out of the Blue a buzzard came through and turned all the music to cow pies! And that was an improvement! Post midi at http://groups.msn.com/imaginationonfile/
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