MIDI Messages

There are many types of MIDI messages that are used for all different purposes.  Because thousands of messages are sent and received every second, recording and playback can be done in real-time.  Listed here are some important MIDI messages.

Note On

• This message indicates that a note has been struck or pressed.  The information contained is:

        -the channel number (1-16) - the channel on which the data will be broadcast

        -the key number (0-127) - the key that was pressed

        -the key velocity (0-127) - the measurement that is used to determine the dynamics or the note

Note Off

• indicates that a note has been released.

        -the channel number

        -the key number

        -the release velocity - affects the duration of a note's release phase

Polyphonic Key Pressure Messages

• sent when there is a pressure change in an individual key

        -the channel number (1-16) - the channel on which the data will be broadcast

        -the key number (0-127) - the key that was changed

        -the key velocity (0-127) - the new key pressure value

Pitch-Bend Messages

• transmitted whenever the instrument's pitch-bend wheel is moved from its central position

        -the channel number

        -the pitch bend value

Channel-Pressure Messages

• Used by instruments that can only produce one overall none pressure to indicate the new pressure

        -the channel number

        -the channel pressure value

-The messages not listed include messages that are common to the entire MIDI system, synchronization messages, and channel mode messages.  For more information click MIDI 1.0 Specification Message Summary.

back