Frequently asked questions about MIDI

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What is MIDI?

MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. MIDI is a standard that lets your MIDI device (like your MIDI keyboard) communicate with other MIDI devices and your computer. When you hit a key on your keyboard, a series of controller messages (sets of digital information) are sent to your computer and interpreted by your sequencer. These controller messages contain a wide range of MIDI information that translate the aspects of your performance into electronic MIDI form. An example of a MIDI control message would be the Note On/Off message. When you hit a key, you are triggering a midi event, or turning it "on". When you release the key, the midi message is stopped, thus turning it "OFF".

What is MIDI?
How do I make a MIDIFILE?
How do I connect a MIDI keyboard to my computer?
What is a MIDI Interface, where can I get one, and how much do they cost?
What is a sequencer, and why should I use one?
What are the different sequencers, and what are the differences between them?
Should I be using a Macintosh computer or a PC to sequence music?
Are there any software packages available for printing out notation of my music or midifiles?
Can I convert a MIDIFILE to a WAV file?
Can I convert a WAV file to a MIDIFILE?
Help! I'm hearing 'double notes' when I play something on my keyboard into the sequencer!
What does 'multitimbral' mean?
What is 'polyphony'?
What is the difference between a sampler and a synth?
How do I make a midifile play on my website?

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