MIDI SPECIFICATIONS

Musical Instrument Digital Interface

Whether you are learning, playing, writing, enjoying music to helping you to operate recording equipment, controling stage lighting, or enjoying ringtones on your cell phone, MIDI can accomplish that task. This page is intended to help you find more information about MIDI, from simple terminologies, to advanced integration.

MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, IPA: /'m?di/) is an industry-standard protocol that enables electronic musical instruments, computers, and other equipment to communicate, control, and synchronize with each other. MIDI allows computers, synthesizers, MIDI controllers, sound cards, samplers and drum machines to control one another, and to exchange system data.

MIDI does not transmit an audio signal or media — it transmits digital data "event messages" such as the pitch and intensity of musical notes to play, control signals for parameters such as volume, vibrato and panning, cues, and clock signals to set the tempo. As an electronic protocol, it is notable for its widespread adoption throughout the industry, and for continuing in use since its introduction in 1983.

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