MIDI

Question 1

What does MIDI stand for?

Answer 1

Musical Instrument Digital Interface

Question 2

Describe the purpose of MIDI and how it works

Answer 2

A technical standard that includes hardware specifications and a protocol for the communication of electronic musical instruments or other devices (e.g. computers) so as to produce and manipulate music

Question 3

Describe how MIDI works

Answer 3

Consists of a list of instructions or event messages that detail what notes must be played, when they must be played, and how long or loud each should be

Question 4

Describe the use of event messages in MIDI including examples

Answer 4

Consists of a list of instructions or event messages that detail what notes must be played, when they must be played, and how long or loud each should be
MIDI don’t store a digital representation of analogue sound, instead signals that can be used to produce sound
e.g. - Digital signals that specify notation, pitch, and intensity
- Control signals for parameters such as volume and vibrato
- Clock signals to set the tempo

Question 5

Describe the advantages of using MIDI files for representing music

Answer 5

MIDI files use far less storage space than equivalent sampling records
Performance data can be easily manipulated (e.g. pitch, duration, instrument)

Question 6

Describe the disadvantages of using MIDI files for representing music

Answer 6

Synthesised sound doesn’t sound realistic (but this is often the intended effect)