What Is MIDI? How It Works and Why It's Useful

In this video you’ll learn about what MIDI is, and I’ll demonstrate some of its most powerful functions.
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00:00 Intro
00:21 What Is MIDI?
01:13 Connecting MIDI
02:59 Digital Audio Workstation
05:14 Using MIDI Tracks
10:11 Control Messages / MIDI CC
14:04 Using Sync To Send Clock Information
First, you’ll learn about what MIDI is: A communications protocol for musical instruments to interact with each other in a digital setting. I’ll be demonstrating this by connecting a few synthesizers together, and sending MIDI messages between them.
Next, you’ll understand why MIDI is such a powerful tool when combining it with the Digital Audio Workstation. There are a few ways to connect a MIDI device to a digital audio workstation, and multiple ways you can use these devices in your workflow.
Once you have MIDI tracks created, you'll learn how to route MIDI to different instruments, send control messages to alter parameters, and sync tempo from your Digital Audio Workstation to your MIDI devices.
Want to learn more about music production? Check out our blog post here:
bit.ly/2JghsNM
Learn the best practices when editing MIDI here:
bit.ly/2UKFFRA
Looking for a MIDI controller to add to your setup? Check out our roundup of the 50 best MIDI controllers here:
bit.ly/39mvU1l
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#MIDI
#musicproduction
#musiceducation
#sequencing
#abletonlive
#roland909
#producer
#landr
#productiontutorial
#musictechnology
#music
#MIDImapping
#DAW
#musicmaking
#musiccreation

[@LANDRmusic]

Hey everyone - We hope you're all doing well and this video of Matt nerding out on MIDI finds you inspired to create during these difficult times. How ya'll doin?

[@user-pk4sd9dd2w]

Hey! if you could only buy midi keyboard, which would it be out of M Audio, Akai or Novation? thanks a lot!

[@salsabilahmedshrestho960]

Thank you very much for explaining this. Hitting that like button!

[@apersunthathasaridiculousl1890]

Can you use MIDI without a device?

[@LANDRmusic]

Salsabil Ahmed Shrestho: Be sure to subscribe too ;)

[@LANDRmusic]

oOthecarguyOo: Of course. You can use it without any devices. Check out our video on MIDI editing here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaq5lqKVe9iWnKM

[@carazy123_]

This was *insanely useful.* Thank you. Audio tutorials have a tendency to be freaking confusing, and most people make too many assumptions about what I do or don't already know. You defined everything before you developed on it, making it simple and clear for a beginner such as myself. Much appreciated, guys.

[@LANDRmusic]

Hey Carazy123, thanks for the comment! Glad this was helpful for you.

[@Flashback_Jack]

Amen, man--especially the part explaining what the MIDI preferences are (remote, sync, in and out).

[@michaelcorcoran8768]

Yeah I find this problem exists even on stuff like headphone videos.

[@SCP--xw5fg]

MIDI is the thing that all of DooM’s soundtrack was made on

[@LANDRmusic]

The latest doom soundtrack still uses MIDI to some extent! What a great soundtrack.

[@dougwilliams44]

Well, yeah!

[@failingdisciple938]

Original bitmap. Remember it well!!

[@CAPTURED84]

Trust me! This video is useful.. sometimes you have to talk like a puppy trainer! We appreciate your efforts here to explain basics!

[@LANDRmusic]

Glad it helped you out!

[@ArtChic_]

yes it is useful and there are those of us who want to run for the trees screaming even though we adore music and have good ears we don't know the first thing about tech...so intimidating

[@johnh.kingstonlll5727]

Great session!! All you guys and girls are fantastic at keeping it simple and clear. Which most time is the foundation. Peace

[@vicvaughan4629]

As a ground floor newbie to MIDI controllers, your tutorial is outstanding! Well explained and illustrated. I've subscribed to your channel.

[@lullbluetooth]

I thought I knew what midi is but you gave me some new info to consider. Great job nerding out man, and a real good presentation, cheers

[@LANDRmusic]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching.

[@bigleafwoodcraft1453]

This is by far the most useful and easy to understand tutorial on midi I’ve ever seen. I will now watch every one of your videos. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@LuckeGabriel]

This video far exceeded my expectations of what I thought I'd learn. ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT JOB!

[@LANDRmusic]

Thanks so much Lucke. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sebastianhewelt2197]

Took me like 5 seconds to subscribe. Quality of video editing and the picture itself is damn high. It still awes me in 2020 that it's all it takes for me to hit the red button. Still, there's sooo much space and niches on youtube for creatives.

[@musicproductionnerd]

MIDI is such an amazing technology in music production. Loved your video man!

[@NeverSickAtSea]

Thank you so much for explaining with immediate hands-on EXAMPLES!!

[@AVCOME]

Amazing how it’s clear, thanks

[@kerwinalexander6836]

This video far exceeded my expectations of what I thought I'd learn. ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!! Cheers mate.

[@fridayants3712]

This is my bible🙏🏻 thank you so much!!!!

[@tobrsun]

This is a great explanation of what you can do with midi and cc!, Personally I'm gonna try using my launchkey mk3 to play notes on my launchpad pro mk3's sequencer to make sequencing chords feel more natural, aaand it works!

[@sdiasuez5009]

Shirt: "How many wrinkles do you want?" Matt: "Yes"

[@LANDRmusic]

"I want all the wrinkles."

[@sdiasuez5009]

LANDR great vid by the way. I had to throw a few jokes about the shirt though.

[@explorer3031]

I am a beginner composing music in Bandlab. This is really useful video. Thanks for explaining it in simple terms. Love from India. 🇮🇳

[@djshonno4121]

Thanks for putting this together. I’m somewhat proficient in midi but this will save me soo much time explaining midi to newbies. One thing with midi that I would love to see… I have a rack-mounted Novation Drumstation for which there is little help for online and the user manual really sucks. I would love to see a decent & modern demo/tutorial etc for the Drumstation. 🙏

[@Minecraft-ed3rd]

0:15 bro's teammates behind the cam telling him to also tell us to sub and like btw, gr8 vid

[@muzycznykanal]

great video, thanks

[@richardhubbard2151]

Awesome content. Exactly what i was looking for! Thank guys

[@timboers437]

So helpful to have someone explain how it all works! not just telling you what buttons to push

[@LANDRmusic]

Thanks for the kind words Tim!

[@hiltonmota8797]

Very good introduction! Congratulations and thanks.

[@PlayTheBlues1963]

Wow, so useful!! Thanks guys👽

[@MoxieSynth-pu4py]

Great insights about midi and Ableton Live as well!!! It was cool!

[@Orixander]

Thank you, sir! great explanation!

[@leroywarner6594]

Im learning about music production and engineering and this video helped me understand midi a lot better

[@nellysagundo6634]

Great overview - well done!

[@JMaTyStorm]

This was rly interesting and u explain things very well. Thank you

[@LANDRmusic]

Glad it was helpful!

[@andrewgarley1400]

Enjoyed this, just getting back into it

[@robinthomas5080]

Wonderful explanation. Simple n easy

[@primoparadero6609]

I enjoyed your info, Matt. I learned a lot. Thank you! I just purchased a Rolnad EDIROL PCR-300 and I would have a fun geeking out creating sounds or music with my other devices. I have the FL Studio. I am new to this so, I will have some questions for you and your tribe here soon.

[@kevinsmerdell3562]

Excellent explanation. Thanks!

[@TheNils7779]

Great little Tutorial. Thank you :)

[@LANDRmusic]

You're welcome!

[@vatsalmehta1600]

Great Explanation

[@ThePassportRadio]

This was such a useful video and you seem super cool! Thank you! :)

[@LANDRmusic]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks so much.

[@siyabongampongwana990]

Thanks man. This is very helpful.

[@LANDRmusic]

Glad it helped!

[@YoSkylerSeymour]

Thank you for the useful info!

[@PeteMel1875]

Great video 👍

[@googull271]

Thanks a lot!

[@auntjennjenn2547]

Thank you, thank you! This was incredibly helpful.

[@LANDRmusic]

You're very welcome!

[@midifilescom]

I'm coming from the 80's and I love this video :) Merci - Thank you

[@fishbarbeque8540]

This was such a good video!!!

[@PLANBENT2]

Damn I learned a lot from this. Thanks, gonna watch it another 5 times lol

[@sciencesconnectus7001]

Welcome you always. Thanks

[@joecoleman288]

It's amazing to confront the reality that music and technology is a road that never seems to end.

[@johnmanickam61]

Well explained!!!

[@springsdoc1]

Great video. You asked what we had in our own studio, so here goes (the BIG question will come after I list the components and their MIDI inputs/outputs Computer: Windows 10 -Software: Reaper (64 bit) DAW that is MIDI functional; FocusRite Control (for routing functions) Audio Interface: FocusRite 18i8: MIDI In and MIDI Out and USB (to computer) MIDI file storage (using 3-1/4" disks): Alesis DataDisk: MIDI In and MIDI Out/Thru Ensoniq SQ2 Midi keyboard (76 note keyboard): MIDI In and MIDI Out and MIDI Thru Drum Machine: Alesis SR-16: MIDI In and MIDI Out/Thru (the SR16 currently can't get sound out, but it still appears to function). I have another one coming on Wednesday to replace it (and hope I can get everything transferred over to it, either directly or from backup 3-1/4" disks with the Alesis DataDisk. I have had this stuff since the 80's.. lol SOOOOO.... the BIG question is: in what order do I hook all of this up? Is there an importance as to that? Thank you in advance of any help/advice you can give me. Chris Foster

[@springsdoc1]

I might also mention that I have a cable by "iConnectivity mio" that has a USB connector on one end and splits off to a "MIDI Out" cable and a "MIDI In" cable. According to the manual that came with it, the "MIDI Out" cable connects to the "In" port of whatever equipment it's going to and the "MIDI In" cable connects to the "Out" port of whatever equipment it's going to. Where should I use this cable? I'm thinking the DataDisk to Computer USB, but what do I know... ;-)

[@nicolasestremadoyro9308]

Love this!!!!

[@LANDRmusic]

Thanks for watching!

[@nicolasestremadoyro9308]

Greetings from Peru

[@bradleysmith4409]

Great job! I'm waiting for MOTU (my Ultralite AVB) and apple to work out Big Sur 11.2 compatibility - I'm waiting for my new Arturia MIDI controller to arrive (it's on a ship somewhere?) and my new condenser mic. I thought to myself... "OK...So, I can sit here and pout, or I can use the time to become better acquainted, hence, more comfortable with the actual tools and language of MIDI, and recording with a DAW" .... so, looking for some videos to help facilitate that end, I found yours. :) Lo, and Behold! Not only do you help me understand mapping better, trac, remote and sync, you also use Ableton Live AND a drum machine (I use an ELEKTRON Machinedrum!) So it's a JACKPOT day for me. I've subscribed, and look forward to learning more. Now, one comment: It takes great courage to wear a T-Shirt that looks clean, but is MASSIVELY wrinkled at the same time. I see in the video that you're chatting with the videographer.... perhaps next time you also bring in a fashion consultant? :) Thanks!

[@korakingvideos]

Thanks thank you for what you doing it’s amazing job ❤

Very interesting and simple, thank you very much! I also prefer a physical drum machine instead of just Ableton, so now I'm looking to buy one. Question, can a drum machine (eg: Roland TR8) send MIDI information into Ableton, so then all the beats played in Roland is recorded as midi within Ableton like you did with the Sub Phatty example? Do you have any recommendation of drum machine for this purpose? I'm thinking either Roland TR8s or just the Ableton Push 2.

[@arunjain7223]

thanks dear very detail and informative message. Regards

[@LANDRmusic]

My pleasure

[@dmanh5144]

This was exactly about the problems I've been having with my MIDI controllers! I can now get them to work correctly

[@williamdistasio9358]

This helped my confused, stubborn brain! Thank you!

[@davidpatrick1813]

Great, interesting.. I am just learning. I have a roland gr-33 and not used it yet but want to get to it.

[@JordAnarchy]

Thank you. Guitarist here and all this is pretty new to me. Pretty overwhelming! Just gotta tackle one aspect at a time.

[@LANDRmusic]

That's exactly it Jordan. One thing at a time and keep learning.

[@1se3y0u]

"Hey, what's up?" *everyone laughs*

[@LANDRmusic]

It's the giggle energy.

[@Jacoblox]

can i get aaaa-

[@electropocalypse5877]

I love this tutorial! So many controls! I am wondering, is it worth it using the arpeggiator built in a midi keyboard? I ask because Ableton has an arpeggiator vst plugin. My thoughts here are it would be easier to modulate the bpm more precisely as opposed to using the midi keyboard (mine lets you change the bars from 1 to 1/32).

[@JamBear]

Thank you so much

[@markoherrera]

I loved the octopus analogy, octopuses are cool, don't eat them they are very smart sentient beings 🐙

[@marcosfierros7988]

Great video ! Thank you for this, One question - what is the box above the TR-909 and how is this setup to work with the m-audio interface above the keyboard?

[@billybokonon4037]

man, thank you so much. i feel like such an idiot trying to hamfist my way into music production without even knowing what things like MIDI are but tutorials like this make it so much less daunting !

[@tho8861]

Nicee, thanks!

[@LANDRmusic]

Thanks for watching.

[@istvantoth7431]

Great vid bud! 👍Moogfive ✋️!

[@bennyvolance]

Hello thanks for posting the video it was very helpful and I need all the help I can get! I am about to set up by home studio and I want to avoid using a DAW as the hub. I will be using Arturia Drum Brute ( analogue drum machine, )Arturia Beat Step Pro (sequencer and controller), Roland XP90 Keyboard and Yamaha AWR 2400 recording desk I would also like to use my Zoom 1044CD ( recorder with built in drums/bass) occasionally not for the recorder section but for the built is drum and bass patterns. Any advice on setting up a simple workflow would be very much appreciated .

[@LANDRmusic]

Hi Benny, We've been thinking about doing a DAWless setup video. Hopefully soon. In the meantime, check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2ObcqOglLSkbqM

[@caimbeauty9628]

Love midis they make music 😍😍 still getting comfortable with placement! My take on it is no midi notes no music!!!

[@78thandSynth]

Excellent

[@LANDRmusic]

Thank you so much 😀

[@captvegetable6532]

i like the plant. it looks synth-etic.

[@chachreyes2102]

Great info. But there’s a weird video glitch. Check it out. I think it’s around the 8 minute mark, around there. But check it out and if there’s a glitch see if u can repost. Great video. I learned some stuff I had no idea and didn’t know. Total geeking out is awesome. Thx 🙏 👍 😊

[@LANDRmusic]

Hey, thanks for letting us know! I'm not able to find it, but if you could give the specific time code we'll check it out.

[@DanieleNasuti]

Hi, I need an advice. For avoid latency is better to connect my master keyboard to PC and through the PC controlling the external synth sounds while I play masterkeyboard, or should I connect the masterkeyboard directly into the external synth via midi? Does the latency change in this case??

[@edwardmedina9935]

Great information! You gotta iron your T-shirt though when you get a chance.

[@LANDRmusic]

Good call!

[@karhukivi]

A short demo of creating some music at the outset would have retained my attention for the detailed stuff.

[@AugustWillDecay1978]

I am trying to make a hybrid setup like you describe with vst plugins controlled by external gear and external gear controlled by external gear, i'm having some issues recording the analog into my daw from the external gear and getting it to line up with the vst plugins audio recordings, have you any experience with this type of setup? have you had issues with lining things up that you could offer some advice to help? is this a latency issue or a timing issue (clock) from my daw?

[@vikplevnes736]

Awesome video, subscribed. Question(beginners' one); does it make a difference if my midi keyboard is connected straight to my laptop via usb or if the midi keyboard that has midi out goes to a midi in on an audio interface? I have an audio interface that does not have midi ports...should I stick to it or get an audio interface that has midi. Thanks

[@LANDRmusic]

If you have the MIDI keyboard and your computer only, a USB connection would be all you need. A MIDI interface is nice to have when you start building more complex setups.

[@chis5050]

i like this guy matt, hes cool and funny

[@LANDRmusic]

Cheers Chris!

[@davidraymer397]

What is the purpose of a midi input on a mixer? Is it only for controlling types of reverb throughout a set? Or can I plug a keyboard into it and pull sounds off it? I have two of them on a Studiomaster Powerhouse mixer and always wondered what they were for.

[@Voorneman]

Thank you so much, such a useful info! I have a question though; what if I want to send both MIDI and audio information to Ableton from the Moog? Can I do that with just a MIDI-over-USB cable? Also, do I need to have 2 separate tracks on Ableton (1 MIDI track & 1 Audio track)?

[@LANDRmusic]

You would have the MIDI going to one track via USB or MIDI cable, and audio being sent via quarter inch cable from the moog output to the input on your soundcard. Then you would have a MIDI track receiving the moog MIDI info, and an audio track receiving the audio info from the soundcard input. Hope this helps!

[@Voorneman]

@@LANDRmusic Ah I see that makes sense. Thank you!

[@BanjoEarth]

This video is great! But the shirt is better

[@stevenjacobsen4260]

I don’t speak but I want to learn, thank you 🙏

[@austinimbastari2760]

Mans got an Avalon bassline with 909 drum machine. MASSIVE

[@Jrowmight1]

hello im mat and today Im gonna learn how to use the iron

[@raamrv60]

Lucidly presented. Thanks. A suggestion: Talking a bit slowly and clearly will reach the videos comfortably to viewers around the world. Also you may consider your own subtitles. Good job. Thanks again.

[@LANDRmusic]

Thanks Ramesh!

[@Ryannaut_g]

I’m learning how to clone midi ideas.

[@cochise1666]

Can i ask a silly question? (well you will think so lol)...coming up to retirement ,after years in storage i'm setting up my old roland ep711e electric piano (hope to try and learn a bit). Many years ago i had a few synths . I fancy getting another, looking at the deepmind 12 d.. if i get the one without the keyboard, will my piano keyboard operate the synth through the midi it has?...do you understand what i mean..lol?........thank you..

[@LANDRmusic]

Definitely! All you need is a MIDI cable going from the MIDI out from your Roland ep711 to the MIDI in of the Deepmind. The piano will then operate the synth. Let us know how it goes!

[@diiegopc]

I'm starting, I will learn how to play drum vst wiht a midi controller, Latency is my main problem now

[@peetow7304]

what is the name of your midi interface? I'm having trouble finding it. or do you have any recommendations?

[@rjbush7955]

It’s an old midi interface made by M-Audio. Discontinued now.

[@johnmanickam61]

hi ! bro can you teach how to use roland gw 8 with logic pro because when i record and hear i hear two sounds at the same time and then i have to switch on switch off midi information button which is quite annoying. thank you.

[@max_rove]

Brother this was really helpful! Thumbs up and subbed

[@LANDRmusic]

Thanks for the sub!

[@gr4phic3r]

totally beginner question - when you have a keyboard and play piano midi notes into a DAW, is it possible to output these notes/song to another tool so it sounds totally different but it keeps the same melody?

[@LANDRmusic]

Totally. That's the power of MIDI. You'll just have to properly route your MIDI to the other tool you'd like to use, or copy the MIDI track you're using and use a different plugin.

[@gr4phic3r]

@@LANDRmusic thanks, will try this out 😊👍

[@BrendansReasons]

They had a conversation ahead of time about not saying things that don’t mean anything to the viewer

[@emilyrosebrennan]

Do you need a midi box to get sound?

[@james82408]

I dont understand how to sync my minilogue xd with my tr8s. I use the ext in (tr8s) into the output of the Mini xd, and set the tr8s ext in one the window... and nothing,. I would like to side-chain the bass/lead and fills (mini xd) to the tr8s

[@LANDRmusic]

The best way for us to help you with this specific problem is through our Pro Network: network.landr.com Here you'll be able to find experienced producers with similar gear that can coach you through your set up, and get it working properly.

[@woodpecked3D]

Im so in love with my job that i have no time for laundry so i just wear my wrinkled hamper shirts 🤣

[@SarahPalinQuit]

Do they teach this at Berklee?

[@deni-gibbs]

That was really good...but I'm confused. I want to make simple background music for my harmonica & my ukulele. I thought I needed a keyboard. But maybe I need a MIDI? Can you get mini MIDIs

[@rjbush7955]

Yes you’ll need a MIDI controller. Generally these are keyboards such as the inexpensive Akai Mini MPK. I have one of these that connects to my laptop through a USB socket.

[@benjaminkurtz-academy]

Amazing tutorial. Thank you so much Matt!

[@Solbashio]

Buzzfeed vibes from this channel

[@socksumi]

Can you explain how to use the Audio MIDI setup on my IMac? You say MIDI is an interface; do you mean a program language that all the digital devices can speak? Devices like an older IPOD show up in Audio MIDI setup but I cannot not change any of their settings and I don't know why.