MIDI is a boon to composers and arrangers who can develop scores quickly and easily.  Early in computer development, MIDI was incorporated into Microsoft and Apple operating systems. Sound cards included synth modules that would create music from MIDI files. Early MIDI connectors used the game port for MIDI in and out. USB ports and now more common. Combined audio and midi interfaces such as the EMU 1620 or 1820 provide optimal connection between musical instruments and the computer.

A MIDI file is equivalent to a printed music score  with several advantages: the score can be created in a variety of ways, easily modified, played by different sound modules, and printed for musicians to play. A midi file can also contain all the mixer and sound processing information required to complete a composition, ready for the end users...a CD, DVD, movie score  and video soundtrack. The main limitation imposed by such a powerful and versatile tool for music production is a somewhat demanding learning requirement. In professional studios, musicians and sound engineers have advanced understanding of MIDI hardware and software. New students will require study and practice and will benefit greatly if an experienced teacher is available.

MIDI Sequencer; the term sequencer relates to midi software that records and plays note on and off information. A MIDI editor is software that permits changes to the MIDI information. A MIDI file is an analogue of a music score. Written music tells you the pitch of notes and when to turn notes on and off. Additional information in the score tells you how to attack the notes and how loud to play. The same information is generated by a MIDI keyboard, stored in the sequencer and edited in the editor.

MIDI and AUDIO The big difference: a MIDI recording is a relatively small file that must be sent to sound module to hear the result. An audio file is large file that requires only player software to hear the sound. The final destination of MIDI sound generation is an Audio file. The latest and best software combines everything - midi recoding and editing, conversion of MIDI to audio and processing of audio files into the finished product.

At Personal Digital, we use Sonar 7, an integrated studio software. The program began as Cakewalk, a MIDI sequencer/editor that has evolved into sophisticated studio software that handles every aspect of composing, arranging, mixing, recording and mastering.