Frequently asked questions about MIDI

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What is 'polyphony'?

Polyphony refers to the number of voices or, in most cases, instrument sounds a sound module, sampler, synth or midi device can play back at any given time. Most modern MIDI sound modules and samplers are capable of playing back at least 32 monophonic tones at once. Higher end modules allow up to 128 voices to be played at once. For example, if you use all of your fingers to press down 10 keys on your keyboard, you are using 10 voices of monophonic polyphony. However, if the instrument sounds (or samples) are in stereo, you are using 20 voices of stereo polyphony.

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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