As a drummer/arranger/VERY Experienced MIDI programmer going back to '88, I've noticed that the worse shortcoming of MIDI sounding like non-human robotic MIDI is NOT the linear quantization, as all the "experts", and "talking heads" proclaimed in the early days of MIDI.  Rather, it's the robotic vertical velocity-sensitive issue that, quite frankly, makes me break out in hives, even when a good drummer is playing a $5k Roland kit.  Having said that, it appears the fundamental issue here is taking the same 128-increment depth of velocity we have now, and chopping it into 1024 increments; or as we have the stnd 120 increments between a beat that can be extended to 960.
 
So, while I'm no geeky developer, the reason I'm posting it here is I know of the corporate partnership Cakewalk has with the other industry, and MIDI protocol leader, Roland Corp., and I'm just wondering with these two heavy weights if this issue can be revisited, and restructured so as to keep MIDI an even more viable musician's tool.
 
Just wanted to put this in the "...Just sayin'..." column.
KC

I would think that, given today's technology, that they'd extend parameter values out to a full 16 bits for HD Midi.
 
A programmer myself, having designed communication protocols, I can see that midi was designed with a view towards data efficiency. The majority of parameters are 7 bits - the first bit is used as a flag. 7 bits gives you about  48db of dynamic range. Split over 127 values, that's .37db per step. Using a full 16 bits and 65536 values, it would be about 96db of range with about .0014db per step - plenty of room for nuance.
 
For a new midi protocol, there's no longer a need to be quite as concerned for efficiency at the level of the current protocol. I just wish the MMA would get off their butts and finish the HD protocol, for crying's sake.

HD MIDI! WOW! That sure makes sense! I had no idea I was touching such a viable nerve. So, how do you think the people should revolt?  I know it took a HUGE boot up Roland's crack to get them off the fence back in the 80's.  I also put this post on Craig Anderton's forum on Harmony Central.
KC

Letting the industry scribes know about the issue can only help.
 
I really don't know what would push them over the cliff, maybe some big-time, well-known, world-treasured synth-y type artist making a beef about it in Rolling Stone or something....
 
MMA's been sitting on it for 8 years....