Podcast
Questions and Answers
How can you test the setup of the MIDI track?
How can you test the setup of the MIDI track?
- Record some notes and observe the meters (correct)
- Adjust the monitor speaker volume
- Click on the Track View selector
- Play a virtual instrument
What action triggers a note in the Notes view?
What action triggers a note in the Notes view?
- Selecting a different Track View
- Clicking on a note on the mini keyboard (correct)
- Adjusting the tempo
- Recording-enable the MIDI track
What happens when you select 'Notes' from the Track View selector menu?
What happens when you select 'Notes' from the Track View selector menu?
- Activates visual effects on the track
- Triggers MIDI data creation by clicking on notes (correct)
- Changes the color of the MIDI track
- Adjusts the monitor speaker settings
How does a virtual instrument respond to MIDI data?
How does a virtual instrument respond to MIDI data?
What is the purpose of routing the output of a device or virtual instrument to monitor speakers?
What is the purpose of routing the output of a device or virtual instrument to monitor speakers?
What role did the National Association of Music Manufacturers (NAMM) play in the development of MIDI?
What role did the National Association of Music Manufacturers (NAMM) play in the development of MIDI?
Why was it initially challenging to integrate musical devices made by different manufacturers?
Why was it initially challenging to integrate musical devices made by different manufacturers?
What was one significant benefit of the MIDI standard for music technology?
What was one significant benefit of the MIDI standard for music technology?
Why were software platforms in the early days limited to working with either audio or MIDI, but not both?
Why were software platforms in the early days limited to working with either audio or MIDI, but not both?
Which two companies proposed the idea of connecting musical devices in a network at the 1981 NAMM convention?
Which two companies proposed the idea of connecting musical devices in a network at the 1981 NAMM convention?
What distinguished MIDI platforms in the early days, resulting in them being referred to as 'MIDI sequencers'?
What distinguished MIDI platforms in the early days, resulting in them being referred to as 'MIDI sequencers'?
What is one advantage of using MIDI Virtual Instruments over hardware counterparts?
What is one advantage of using MIDI Virtual Instruments over hardware counterparts?
How are MIDI controllers commonly connected to computers according to the text?
How are MIDI controllers commonly connected to computers according to the text?
What is a common misconception about MIDI according to the text?
What is a common misconception about MIDI according to the text?
What is the main difference between an Audio track and an Auxiliary Input track in Pro Tools?
What is the main difference between an Audio track and an Auxiliary Input track in Pro Tools?
Which type of track in Pro Tools can play back clips in the session?
Which type of track in Pro Tools can play back clips in the session?
How are MIDI Virtual Instruments typically set up in Pro Tools using an Auxiliary Input track?
How are MIDI Virtual Instruments typically set up in Pro Tools using an Auxiliary Input track?
What benefit does using an Auxiliary Input track provide when monitoring an external MIDI device's output?
What benefit does using an Auxiliary Input track provide when monitoring an external MIDI device's output?
Which type of tracks are more suitable in Pro Tools for monitoring external MIDI devices' output according to the text?
Which type of tracks are more suitable in Pro Tools for monitoring external MIDI devices' output according to the text?
What is the main function of a MIDI track in Pro Tools?
What is the main function of a MIDI track in Pro Tools?
Why do Virtual Instruments bring advantages over physical hardware sound modules?
Why do Virtual Instruments bring advantages over physical hardware sound modules?
What is the purpose of selecting the desired MIDI channel when configuring a virtual instrument plug-in?
What is the purpose of selecting the desired MIDI channel when configuring a virtual instrument plug-in?
In an Instrument track, what does the MIDI Velocity Meter display?
In an Instrument track, what does the MIDI Velocity Meter display?
What happens when a virtual instrument plug-in is inserted into an Instrument track?
What happens when a virtual instrument plug-in is inserted into an Instrument track?
Why is it recommended to control the volume level of an Instrument track from the audio volume fader?
Why is it recommended to control the volume level of an Instrument track from the audio volume fader?
What is the significance of the Inserts view in an Instrument track?
What is the significance of the Inserts view in an Instrument track?
What does selecting a specific MIDI output in an Instrument track enable you to do?
What does selecting a specific MIDI output in an Instrument track enable you to do?
How do Instrument tracks differ from traditional MIDI/Auxiliary Input track combinations?
How do Instrument tracks differ from traditional MIDI/Auxiliary Input track combinations?
What happens when you click the MIDI Output selector in an Instrument track?
What happens when you click the MIDI Output selector in an Instrument track?
Where does an external MIDI synthesizer hardware output get routed in comparison to a virtual instrument plug-in output in an Auxiliary Input track?
Where does an external MIDI synthesizer hardware output get routed in comparison to a virtual instrument plug-in output in an Auxiliary Input track?
Why does adjusting an Instrument track's output level and pan matter?
Why does adjusting an Instrument track's output level and pan matter?
What is an accurate comparison between MIDI and printed music in the text?
What is an accurate comparison between MIDI and printed music in the text?
Which statement accurately describes a function of MIDI channels?
Which statement accurately describes a function of MIDI channels?
What is a common use of MIDI Continuous Controllers mentioned in the text?
What is a common use of MIDI Continuous Controllers mentioned in the text?
How did early MIDI setups typically connect keyboard controllers with sound modules?
How did early MIDI setups typically connect keyboard controllers with sound modules?
What is the purpose of the MIDI Thru port in a synthesizer module mentioned in the text?
What is the purpose of the MIDI Thru port in a synthesizer module mentioned in the text?
What is a significant advantage of using Virtual Instruments (VIs) over hardware sound modules?
What is a significant advantage of using Virtual Instruments (VIs) over hardware sound modules?
In the context of MIDI, what does velocity refer to?
In the context of MIDI, what does velocity refer to?
How do various MIDI setups differ according to the text?
How do various MIDI setups differ according to the text?
What role do Controllers play in MIDI setups as per the text?
What role do Controllers play in MIDI setups as per the text?
What is a key feature of the Akai EWI and Moog Theremini according to the text?
What is a key feature of the Akai EWI and Moog Theremini according to the text?
Study Notes
MIDI Basics
- MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a standard for communicating musical information between devices
- Developed in the early 1980s by companies like Sequential Circuits and Roland, and adopted by NAMM (National Association of Music Manufacturers)
- Allows for musical devices of various types and manufacture to be used together in flexible ways
Understanding MIDI
- MIDI is not audio; it's only information that controls an instrument
- MIDI controls sound-producing devices in the same way printed music controls musicians
- MIDI data is broken into different types, including:
- Channels: 16 MIDI channels allow specific data to be directed to specific devices
- Note Data: individual notes can be recorded and played back, including aspects such as pitch, timing, duration, and velocity
- Continuous Controllers: store other non-note data, like volume, pitch change, and expression
- Messages: affect a song globally, such as tempo, meter, and key
How Sound is Created with MIDI
- Early MIDI setups: keyboard MIDI controllers connected to sound modules using a 5-pin DIN connector
- Modern setups: MIDI controllers connected to computers via USB, controlling software synthesizers (Virtual Instruments)
- Virtual Instruments bring advantages, including lower cost, ease of use within software DAWs, and ability to be used multiple times in a single session
MIDI and Instrument Tracks in Pro Tools
- Two common ways to set up MIDI in Pro Tools:
- MIDI track + Auxiliary Input track combination
- Instrument track (combines MIDI track and Auxiliary Input track functions)
- MIDI track: can record and play back MIDI data, but has no sound on its own
- Auxiliary Input track: can host a virtual instrument plug-in, but cannot hold MIDI or audio clips
- Instrument track: combines the functions of a MIDI track and an Auxiliary Input track
Setting up a MIDI Signal Flow
- Create a MIDI track and assign it a descriptive name
- Create an Auxiliary Input track and assign it a descriptive name
- Launch a virtual instrument plug-in on the Auxiliary Input track
- Connect the MIDI track to the virtual instrument plug-in
- Route the output of the Auxiliary Input track to the audio outputs connected to monitor speakers
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Description
Explore the benefits of using MIDI Virtual Instruments over hardware sound modules in music production. Learn about the cost-effectiveness, ease of use within DAWs, and the flexibility of using a single plug-in multiple times in a session.
