How to Use MIDI ...

MIDI is seen by many as a black art! Although initially confusing, MIDI can be simple to use and provides a powerful digital data protocol between a PC and synthesisers which makes an enormous contribution to recording in the studio. The problem is that beginners usually don’t know where to start with MIDI because they don’t even know what questions to ask so they can learn to use it. This is precisely the issue this course addresses. Here is a summary of the topics covered …
 

What is MIDI? Who/what uses MIDI and why? What information does it carry? Monophonic, Polyphonic and Multi-Timbrality How does MIDI operate with a modern synth Ports, Patches, Banks & GENERAL MIDI Synths and Samplers – what’s the difference Sequencers – what they do and why we need them PC-based sequencers and some software packages Internal synths and the PC soundcard/codec Connecting devices together using MIDI Multiple MIDI Devices in series - Daisy Chaining The MIDI configuration in Pennyland Music Studio Where do we find ready-made MIDI files Now let’s make some music - at last!

Introducing CakeWalk and Sonar software… Setting up the Ports and Devices Selecting the Banks and Patches Putting a Band together on screen Various options for getting music into he system Tracks, Banks and Patches – confused yet? Cleaning up the score and making it sound better A quick re-cap on the MIDI story so far … Multiple MIDI set-ups – meet my “MOTU” Using the Pennyland Music Studio set up to make music How do we go about making our recordings Synchronisation between PC and ext. Hard Disk Recorder SMPTE, MTC, SPP, Analogue Tape Sync Units and all that Mixing and using various external effects in the studio Producing a Master Mix on a DAT, CD or PC At last – you have produced your own CD using MIDI!