BAIN MUSC 336
Introduction to Computer Music

Learning MIDI

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1. What is MIDI? {WP}
   
   • Videos:
   • The MIDI Association (MA), Thirty Years of MIDI (2013) {YouTube} (3:43) - *
   • Ask Audio, Audiopedia 109, MIDI {YouTube} (1:50)
   • See also:
   • Introduction to MIDI 2.0 {YouTube} (3:42)
   • The MIDI [Manufacturers] Association, About the MIDI Association {YouTube} (3:42)
2. Documentation
   • Complete MIDI 1.0 Detailed Specification {Archive.org}
   • MIDI 1.0 (1983)
   • General MIDI (GM) (1991)
   • Standard MIDI Files (See Learning Notation)
   • MIDI 2.0 (2023) {MIDI.org}
3. Reading
   • Hass, Introduction to Computer Music (Hass 2025)
   • 3.1 MIDI Overview and History {Hass 2025}
   • 3.2 MIDI Hardware Specification {Hass 2025}
     
   • 3.9 Non-code MIDI Extensions (SMF & GM) {Hass 2025}
     
   • Kirn, Real World Digital Audio (2006) – Optional
     
   • How MIDI Models Performances (Kirn 2006, pp. 285-291) (pdf)
   • Adding Expressivity (Kirn 2006, pp. 293-300) (pdf)
   • Programs & Banks (GM); System Messages (Kirn 2006, pp. 300-302) (pdf)
4. General MIDI
• The GM 1 Sound Set
• GM Instrument Map {cs.cmu.edu}
• GM Percussion Key Map {cs.cmu.edu}
  
• Max Built-in General MIDI Synthesizers {Cycling '74}
• Mac OS: Apple Audio Unit DLS (Down-Loadable-Sounds) synthesizer
• Windows: Microsoft GS Wavetable Synthesizer
5. Advanced Topics
• The MIDI Protocol (pdf)
• Binary Numbers {Hass 2021}
• Decimal-Binary-Hex Conversion Chart {Hass 2021}
• MIDI Messages {ALI}
• Message Types {Hass 2021}
• Channel Messages {Hass 2021}
• MIDI Note-on/Note-off Messages (pdf)
• Control Change Messages {Hass 2021; TMA}
• Controller Numbers {Hass 2021}
• System Messages
• What is a "MIDI Implementation Chart"? {Sweetwater Glossary}
• MIDI Monitor Apps
• MIDI Yodi {Canato.se}
  A MIDI editor app that allows examination, editing, playback and conversion of MIDI files
• MIDI Monitor {Snoize.com}
6. Controllers
   
• Keyboard Controllers
  • Kurzweill PC88MX {Vintage Synth}
  • Roland JV-1080 {Roland}
  • JV-1080 Software Synthesizer {Roland Cloud}
  • Novation LaunchKeyMini Mk3 {Novation; SOS}
  • Novation Remote 25 {SOS}
• iPad w/ Mira {C74}
• Wii Remote {WP} w/ Osculator {Osculator.net}
• TouchOSC {Hexler.net}
• Arduino {Arduino.cc; MA}

References

Hass, Jeffery. 2025. Introduction to Computer Music: An Electronic Textbook, 2nd ed. Available online at: <https://cmtext.indiana.edu/index.php>.

Kirn, Peter. 2006. Real World Digital Audio. Berkeley: Peachpit Press. {GBd}

Updated: September 24, 2026