What is MIDI?
For anyone who doesn't have experience with it, MIDI may be mistaken as a physical object or a computer program that can be bought for the purpose of connecting you're computer to an electronic musical instrument. MIDI is actually a tool/method used for the transmitting, storing, and recording of digital music. Synthesizers, computers and other MIDI compatible devices must use MIDI to communicate with one another. It includes a protocol , MIDI hardware interface, and MIDI files. A protocol is a set of conventions defining the format of data in an electronic communications system. The MIDI protocol is the standardized language used for the communication between electronic musical instruments. The MIDI hardware interface consists of a standard 5-pin connector that transmits messages through cables between MIDI devices. When a collection of MIDI messages is organized into a particular pattern and stored on disk, the resulting file is called a Standard MIDI File. MIDI files are necessary for the saving and playback of music that is created using the MIDI protocol and MIDI hardware. Protocol, hardware, and file format are all aspects of electronic music that need to be consistent with each other.