How To Add Midi To Your Computer
By Ross MacIver, Fri Dec 9th
Interested in making your own music? Writing songs, instrumentalmusic, even symphonies? You can do it with your computer thanksto the wonderful technology known as MIDI – Musical InstrumentDigital Interface. No need to know how to read music, MIDI canbe edited using easy-to-read graphs.
MIDI allows you to connect musical keyboards and other devicesto your computer and each other. They communicate to each otherwith MIDI – the language specific for musical applications. Witha MIDI keyboard connected to your computer, you can recordmusic, edit it, orchestrate it and polish it into a professionalproduct.
There is a MIDI connection built into most personal computers.The joystick port doubles as a MIDI interface and you canconnect a standard MIDI cable to it. The MIDI cable has twoconnections – MIDI out and MIDI in. Connect the computer’s MIDIout to the keyboard’s MIDI in and the computer’s MIDI in to thekeyboard’s MIDI out.
Next, you need some MIDI software try out the connection. Youcan try a freeware product like JAZZ++ or a commercial productlike Cubase. Many companies have demo products of their MIDIsoftware, allowing you to try before you buy.
With the MIDI software installed and running, play a few noteson your MIDI keyboard. They should be recorded into the softwareand available for playback and editing. If nothing happens, youmay need
