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MIDI
Last modified: Friday, May 16, 2003
Pronounced middy, an acronym for musical instrument digital interface, a standard adopted by the electronic music industry for controlling devices, such as synthesizers and sound cards, that emit music. At minimum, a MIDI representation of a sound includes values for the note's pitch, length, and volume. It can also include additional characteristics, such as attack and delay time.
The MIDI standard is supported by most synthesizers, so sounds created on one synthesizer can be played and manipulated on another synthesizer. Computers that have a MIDI interface can record sounds created by a synthesizer and then manipulate the data to produce new sounds. For example, you can change the key of a composition with a single keystroke.
A number of softwareprograms are available for composing and editing music that conforms to the MIDI standard. They offer a variety of functions: for instance, when you play a tune on a keyboard connected to a computer, a music program can translate what you play into a written score.
Harmony Central An Internet resource for musicians with links to guitar, bass and keyboard sites, information on MIDI, effects, software, free classifieds, original articles, and product reviews.
MIDI tools and resources Harmony Central, the MIDI tools and resources page, features a forum, documentation, software development products, newsgroups, and classified ads.
The Daily WAV The Daily WAV provides an up-to-date list of downloadable WAV sound files, a MIDI archive, and links to related Web sites.
The MIDI farm The MIDI farm contains a number of resources including an FTP site, digital marketplace, and daily news updates.
