A True MIDI Standard?

The non-standard nature of MIDI instruments has become an impediment to MIDI's Use in the home and educational markets, so the instrument manufacturers have come together to create a new standard: General MIDI. Chris Jordan explains what it is and why it is needed.

Who? What? Why? When?

General MIDI - what is it and where did it come from? Vic Lennard, who is also known as General MIDI having worked his way up from humble Private, explains all with some maps, a codebook and a sharp, pointy stick.

General MIDI module

Less knobs, more sound

General MIDI sound module

Is there more to CM than meets the ear?

General MIDI Music Workstation

Yamaha TG100 General MIDI Tone Module

A lightweight multi-timbral module, with 28-voice polyphony and 192 sounds, which also acts as a MIDI Interface for your computer — where's the catch? Paul Wiffen looks hard but just can't seem to find it.

Still trapped in the MIDI maze? Never fear - Vic Lennard has found another way Out

By Vic Lennard

The long-awaited inclusion of a protocol to allow MIDI control of multitrack tape machines is just one of the recent additions to the MIDI spec. Vic Lennard offers a MIDI update.

MIDI Controller

16 channels of MIDI data at the push of a slider. Vic Lennard just loves being in control.

Programming Clinic

MIDI is often perceived as being incredibly complicated, but learning to use it can be quite painless.

First Steps In Multi-timbrality

MIDI Keyboard Controller

'Walk tall, walk straight and look the world right in the eye' - as Val Doonican once said. Now you can with Roland's portable MIDI keyboard controller, designed for those with a severe case of guitar envy. Nicholas Rowland discusses the angle of the dangle

MIDI FX Controller

Programming Lexicon FX units has never been easier, thanks to this upgraded version of their remote control. And what do you know? Nicholas Rowland, not Top Cat, is the most effectual. Lexicon’s LXP-5 FX module gets the one-over too

Keeping Track Of MIDI Connections

A complete guide to all the hardware interfaces for home micros available so far, plus the software that goes with them.

Programming Clinic

Few Cubase users take full advantage of its powerful MIDI Mixer module — daunted by its apparent complexity, they pass up the chance to exploit a powerful and flexible MIDI control tool. Ofir Gal presents a practical 2-part guide to customising and using the MIDI Mixer.

Improving your MIDI Environment

In part one of this two-part article, Martin Russ looks at how the right software can make the difference between a studio full of lonely synths, samplers and other gadgets, and a powerful integrated setup.

It's called a studio; it could be called a workstation; but actually it's a serious keyboard. Nicholas Rowland identifies a product with several possible identities and several possible markets. Have Ensoniq weighted in vain?

MIDI File Format Patterns

The Musical Instrument Digital Interface has revolutionised the way we write and record music. Martin Russ delves deep into MIDI's 10-year history, explains its many recent changes and additions, and looks ahead to see what the future will hold.