Making Music with MIDI | Music Production for Beginners

What do you need to produce music with MIDI? What is MIDI? How does it work and how can you get started using it in your home studio? In this video, you'll find out!
Instrument Frequency Guide (Free Download): audiouniversityonline.com/ins...
Full Post (Audio University Website): audiouniversityonline.com/mid...
Learn more about MIDI with this book...
-The MIDI Manual by David Miles Huber
Amazon: amzn.to/3nK0KM3
MIDI Controllers
Akai MPK Mini MK III 25-Key Keyboard Controller
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/GjoNvL
zZounds: geni.us/syOSpYJ
Amazon: amzn.to/3qNGafm
Guitar Center: guitar-center.pxf.io/5b1qAL
Musician's Friend: musicians-friend.pxf.io/a1rL5Z
B&H: bhpho.to/3DqYRcs
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 Keyboard Controller
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/ZdJAZk
zZounds: geni.us/8UdYDpD
Amazon: amzn.to/3FtKXXl
Guitar Center: guitar-center.pxf.io/ZdYmX1
Musician's Friend: musicians-friend.pxf.io/BXRGxL
B&H: bhpho.to/3qR9KAH
Virtual Instruments
- Drums: Steven Slate Drums
Free Version: stevenslatedrums.com/ssd5/#SS...
- Electric Piano: Waves Electric 88 Piano
Waves: waves.alzt.net/YgxQdJ
- Bass: Waves Bass Fingers
Waves: waves.alzt.net/7m7jbA
- Free Instruments - Spitfire LABS
Spitfire: labs.spitfireaudio.com/
Need help setting up your home studio? Check out this post on Home Recording Essentials: audiouniversityonline.com/fre...
0:00 - Intro
0:22 - What Is MIDI?
1:16 - MIDI Controller vs Keyboard
2:31 - How To Set Up A MIDI Controller
4:44 - How To Produce Music With MIDI
8:22 - How To Convert MIDI To Audio
9:08 - Subscribe To Audio University!
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Disclaimer: This description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click them, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.

[@Lowend3550]

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! As someone who has been playing guitar for the last 30 years I am coming very late to the whole MIDI thing. I love how elementary you broke this information down. Please more of this type of video!!!

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad I could help! Thanks for watching, Toby.

[@yashwanth2007]

​@@AudioUniversity can I record my yamaha sx700 sound as midi?

[@yashwanth2007]

​@@AudioUniversity I.e. using inbuilt keyboard tones as vst tones

[@25bikertrash]

Yes, I'm in same spot, here we go.....

[@migueldebarros7965]

I decided to get into midi and music production after playing the guitar for 25 years and this was exactly what i was looking for. You just got a new subscriber thank you.

[@ThePoorMusician]

It is nice to see someone putting out some good videos on helping beginners. I have just started a channel myself documenting my music producer journey from beginner. Now I just started to go full-time about 3 months ago and created a channel to document it. So my videos aren't the best, I haven't got around to creating and intro animation/graphics or music yet. But I'm going to document all of that for everyone. Keep up the good work for the beginners.

[@devikwolf]

I've been wanting to play with MIDI instruments for 20 years ever since I got a keyboard with MIDI on it, but it's always been intimidating, because of a lack of good "here's what you need to get started" content. This video finally made it approachable for me to get started!

[@thesecretofbellisland4989]

Clear, succinct and to the point without a lot of obnoxious self aggrandizing fanfare. Just a matter of fact explanation of midi and the digital realm that even an old analog sound guy like me can understand. Two thumbs up.

[@thedoritos6970]

This video is one step closing to reaching my dream. I’m only 16 and I’m doing this kind of stuff in GarageBand for the last 2 or 3 years. Never thought I could take it further until I saw this vid. Thanks a lot!!!

[@kj-marslander]

This is by far the best intro tutorial video I've seen on here for MIDI, and I've watched a lot of them. Thank you!

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad it was helpful!

[@giwan2541]

so helpful for me as beginner.. thank you!✨✨

[@matsvb11]

Perfect. This is what I was looking for. Can't wait to get the equipment and take it to the next level!

[@eleuteriomartinez8064]

Excellent video. I have a small studio but record the old fashioned way. I know nothing about mid but this video helped me to know where to begin so I feel more confident now in getting into midi

[@diiegopc]

2:48 *Setting up a midi controller with USB conection:* - (I think that before using a MIDI divice it's necesary to know how to set up the Option Audio: Device Audio System, Driver, input and output and download some VST's) - Conect the controller to the computer - Open the DAW - Go to Preferences: MIDI devices, Enable the controller, Eneble imput from this device - Create a new track and set the imput that I need: Right click on the track, imput: MIDI, select the option that I want. - Add a sound module, VST by clicking the FX bottom and search and select the instrument I want.

[@DUKEofWAIL]

Thank you! Just what I needed this week.

[@Safapianist]

It's the best video that I have ever seen that helps starting creating digital music! Thank you so much

[@VinhTran-rp2mk]

great, this explanation is really helpful for the beginner. thank you Kyle.

[@sunnygremlin]

Thank you so much! This is one of the clearest and most concise explanations I’ve seen on MIDI, and helped me decide what setup I want. Very helpful!!💯

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to help, Sunny!

[@conexant51]

Dude!.. this is EXACTLY the information I was looking for. Thank you brother!

[@Christopher-od6ek]

Good work! Clear! Well done

[@cloud9savagehenry]

I've had the set up for years. Thank you. I will give it a try. I always did things in a way more primitive fashion.

[@issui2]

Thank you for being clear and informative

[@jasonmarc5256]

Thanks a bunch for this.

[@KirtanFi]

Thank you for the great introductory info to midi. Very easy to understand 🙏🏽

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to help, Kirtan Fi!

[@QUICKFIX603]

This was very informative. Thank you for the time and patience.

[@itzzombear2721]

Thank you so much! It works really well!

[@dreadhawkmurdoc8632]

Hey man, Kyle thank you for this video 🙏🏾 dude Very clear and simple to follow very good much appreciated.

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad it was helpful!

[@besym]

great video, thanks

[@chadcollins1056]

amazing instruction

[@MalakieDiaz]

this was a great video brother. I appreciate you and I'm sure many many others do as well.

[@t.revshreds9725]

This is super helpful, thanks!

[@bilhelm]

Thank you, the best basic video ever distributed. Flawless, informative and "unflavored" with BS opinions that nobody needs to nor wants to hear! Thank you for your professionalism!

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad it was helpful!

[@duncanwalsh4830]

Fantastic video. Thank you for helping this beginner!

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to help! Thanks for watching, Duncan.

[@hollyselfe]

SOO helpful and clear! thank you!!

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad it was helpful, Holly! Thanks.

[@heyitsjackson8951]

Excellent demonstration and explanation, helped a lot

[@simon_patterson]

This video was super helpful. Thank you!

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for watching, Simon!

[@SUNILANDTHESTRANGERS]

A VERY VERY CLEAR VIDEO. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[@romulosendoromulo]

Very nice video! Thanks!

[@divinechijindu7465]

Awesome video!

[@pronavsandhu]

great as usual bro. keep it up

[@pakfumejia6951]

Thank you brother!

[@dikyprastyo8321]

Thank you so much man! The license worked

[@SohilShah_Melodyman]

This is very helpful!!! Thanks a lot! 😊🙏

[@JennyEverywhere]

I have to echo Toby Stansell's post. Seriously, THANK YOU. I've got fairly broad musical knowledge, but MIDI is one of those things I haven't really learned. I have several controllers: An Akai MPK Mini Mark 3, an AKAI Pro APC Mini MK2, a Roland AE-01 wind controller, and a Midiplus Wind Controller. I haven't tried hooking in my ancient Casio synth using its MIDI ports yet, but I can. My partner also has several synths and a couple of MIDI controllers. The Midiplus is being sold by a number of different companies. It's sold by Carry-On, Blackstar, Korg, and Midiplus. It's made in China and sold as an OEM product to several companies. Mine, branded "Midiplus", is labeled in Chinese on the buttons. I have a guide for the buttons in English, so it's no trouble. The issue with this particular controller is that, when it was sold, the specs claimed it could use Midi over Bluetooth Low Energy on Mac, iPhone, Android, and Windows. You probably just started nodding -- MIDI over BLE is downright broken under Windows, and there is little effort being made to fix the problem. As a result, there are very few DAW systems that can even hear the thing. Since I don't own a fruit machine, I can't use their suggested DAW: GarageBand. Which is owned by Apple. Midiplus at least has stopped claiming its MIDI over BLE works on Windows. I don't know if the others have yet. I have several DAWs, including Ableton Live Lite, which I only set up because that's what was the Akai Pro APC was already set up to use in the software, which had a huge and very lovely demo song that used all the little chiclet buttons for SOMETHING. I played with that a little, not really understanding what the heck it was doing. I also have Reaper, which I ADORE, and already had working on the Akai MPK. The Roland AE-01 also has MIDI over BLE, which does not bloody work on Windows as far as I can tell, but the nice people at Roland suggested just connecting it via USB to the computer. It isn't documented, but it works just fine. But the Midiplus doesn't connect to anything via USB. The port is just a power socket. Enter the CME WIDI Bud Pro. It's a BLE dongle that is designed to be a mediator between a MIDI over BLE device and any operating system: macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, Linux, ChromeOS, and MIDI devices with powered USB host port. The best part is the Windows bit. It fixes the issue with MIDI over BLE for Windows. I'm running Win10, and the WIDI Bud Pro connected that Midiplus wind controller right up in Reaper, something I spent weeks trying to do and couldn't make work. But $70 bucks provided me with a device that can connect, I think, if I'm reading this correctly, up to 4 BLE MIDI devices and do the intermediation so a DAW can see the darned things under Windows. So now, I can use these controllers to start making music with my favorite DAW so far, Reaper. You and CME have filled in the holes in my knowledge and my ability to do what I want to do. Oh, and in case you aren't familiar with it, the Midiplus/Carry-On/Blackstar/KORG Wind controller is a $99 device that looks like a soprano recorder, except it's a rectangular object instead of a round one. It can emulate ten different instruments and play them through a built-in speaker, or connect via 3.5mm TRS jumper to a powered speaker, or to headphones if you want to practice without disturbing anyone. It's a fun little instrument to play, and now a significantly more useful one, thanks to the Bud Pro. The Midiplus is I think the least expensive wind controller out there so far. It has limitations, but what doesn't? I'm going to sub to your channel and see what other wonderful gems you talk about. That you use Reaper is a serious plus where I'm concerned! Thank you again!

[@jeffspann5230]

Your information was concise and clear. Very helpful - thanks!

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ChristianFontaineQC]

very well explained !

[@Haseeb_Ehsan]

thank you so much!

[@dontrael1]

THANK YOU!!!!!!

[@teriqphillips2]

You are the best channel

[@ebormajaw8064]

Thanks for your help Kyle, you've been so helpful to me..

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to help!

[@AfghanDJVibes2020]

You are awesome, thank you.

[@himanshuvarshney5805]

Very simple and to the point explanation🎉

[@divinegoddessademius]

Awesome thank you so much ❤

[@tharii314]

Even though I can say that I am fit with MIDI I don't have any experience on using a physical MIDI device on a DAW. This video has been a great revision of what I've learned so far and a clear guide on how to do it the way physical MIDI device owners do. I have a wish to buy at least a controller keyboard but there is no chance due to my studies (which is still going on for the 16th year so I had to trade firstly my passion then the money allocated, to nothing but studies.)

[@osmarjazz]

Thanks SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH IT WORKS 100%

[@chandrasekarannatarajan4648]

Nice video for bigginers, I become fan of your introduction

[@Rombodamus]

This was very helpful thank you very much and I also use reaper so it’s not gonna be hard to have this up and running

[@lychunky8934]

Si funciono bro, gracias

[@vijayendralolla]

360° coverage 👌

[@CABohol]

Nice!

[@saguilar6599]

Thanks, 48 hrs trying to find out whats needed to make sounds to start doing anything or maybe an intro music for my first channel.

[@VidMashUp]

I love you!

[@Pattern_seeker202]

Finally, someone who directly connects to controller to the pc

[@DaniilDenisov-ws5ov]

Thanks for the simple and excellent explanation! I'd like to know, whether it is possible to listen the processed music by virtual instrument and record the music in the reaper at the same time? When I try to do so, I have a long delay, listening to the music, that is recoding. Of course, when it stopped recording it's fine and without the delays. I just want to record my piano performance and listen to the music at the same time. (I have a digital piano)

[@Pattern_seeker202]

Sweet

[@barryevans6757]

Oh boy, I'm sure glad that you showed up................................................

[@luisambriz3028]

This was indeed helpful. I think I just learned something I thought would take me weeks. You are really talented at teaching:)

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Luis! Glad to help.

[@anthonydellorusso9554]

Great video. Thanks for creating it

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for watching it, Anthony!

[@Trancelistic]

Great video for beginners. Ps. I do like insturments like Grand piano's, CS-80, ARP2600, Juptier 8 or Juno 6 etc. But for quick fooling/hobby arround REFx Nexus 4, 3 or even 2 is just

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, @trancelistic!

[@teashea1]

Articulate, organized, clear, efficient, excellent production values ------ and you use Reaper ------what more could one ask?????????????

[@chjones8830]

Enjoyed the video very much. If one wanted to do a live performance using their midi controller, would they use the same equipment you used in this video? ie; keyboard, daw, amp/speaker or do you have a better suggestion in order to keep the equipment to a minimum? Thank You and keep up the good work...

[@randikajayakody1683]

Thnks from sri lanka ❤

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Randika!

[@Ghostie.]

damnn, that beat was slappin :)

[@Testosterone_Messiah]

New subscriber > excellent videos bro! As a teacher... you really explain things in a clear cut manner.

[@couchwarriortv]

Thank you for keeping it basic! I’m just getting started with MIDI and it’s all very confusing. This was very helpful.

[@justinnaramor6050]

You mentioned in this video about how MIDI data is not like recording audio: this is crucial to understand. This distinction between audio and MIDI is pretty huge. There are some people who for some reason have a hard time understanding this. Believe me, I've seen it online. On the Discogs forum in particular, I've seen some people insist that there's no fundamental difference between MIDI data (or any kind of music sequencing, including from a music box) and audio data. Their logic is that they are both data that represents sound/music, and that data is read/processed by a machine so it can then play the music. Lol! That is a really superficial argument. While it may be true, shouldn't we think about what the data actually represents/describes? MIDI data is more like sheet music... it simply defines which notes on an instrument should be played, when they should be played, how loudly or softly they should be played, how long to hold them and so on. With this, you're really just recording notation (again, it's like sheet music). This is enormously different from actually recording specific audio waveforms. MIDI data does not define any kind of waveform, at all. Does piano sheet music define what kind of waveform your piano will generate when it makes sound? No! It only defines how the piano should be played. The waveform you hear is completely ignored and undefined by the sheet music... it doesn't care about that part. MIDI data is literally exactly the same. So to say that MIDI data is not like sheet music in any way, like a couple of these people on the Discogs forums have said, is really fucking stupid and incorrect. Audio recording means you're actually capturing sound waveforms. That's why it's even fucking possible for us to record the sound of our own voices... our voices produce specific sound waveforms, and so these waveforms can be captured and recorded for later playback. OK, rant over :))))) and to anyone who took the time to read this, feel free to reply if you want. And if you really want to get an example of what I'm talking about with the Discogs forum (so you can see just how fucking foolish it really is), let me know in a comment and I'll post a link to an example :)))))))).

[@richardaversa7128]

Great points, as a beginner I suspected that was the case but your explanation made the situation very clear. Thanks!

[@justinnaramor6050]

@@richardaversa7128 Well, you're welcome. And even though people on the Discogs forum have tried to make it just as clear as I did, some of the fools on the forum still don't get it. Lol! Basically, with some of these threads I've read on that forum, the "battle" is over whether MIDI files, or music boxes, or piano rolls (in other words, any kind of 'sequenced' music) should be eligible for the Discogs database. And even though it's been made clear that Discogs only catalogs audio recordings, people insist that MIDI files, or music boxes, or piano rolls are still music-playing media and that should somehow automatically make them eligible. Lol! It's pretty easy to predict exactly 'why' Discogs only catalogs audio recordings: the fact that audio recordings already specify a waveform is itself a huge advantage over anything that's "sequenced".

[@generalmidistudio]

Because I need making midi song with original midi sound ( gm instrument) i using this vst plugin in my daw for doing it: Edirol hyper canvas, luxonix purity and samplelord soundfont player

[@w.coast_piano6404]

Awesome video dude thank you. You earned my sub and support for further videos. I have a question though. Where a good place to find plug-ins I’m always on google looking up plugins trying to find some and I’m having a hard time. Any suggestions ?

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for the sub! There are tons of options depending on what you’re looking for and how much you want to spend.

[@utkalnetwork6060]

Please sir upload your more video quickly I'm always waiting for your video

[@KuroMicra]

Hi. I have recently purchased an Edirol PCR 500 and was wanting to harness the power of GarageBand. Currently using an iPad Pro 12.1. Can you advise what connectors are required to get up and running? Thanks in advance.

[@nikhilna1312]

Hello there ! I DON'T have a MIDI KEYBOARD but i do have a basic keyboard (Yamaha psr e-373 ) which has MIDI support, so can I DO all the things that a MIDI controller can possibly do in a DAW? Or is there any things that only MIDI controllers can do and regular keyboard can't do?😊

[@petersinol]

My electronic drum module has midi in/out. No thru. Same in my bassline synth. I also want to have midi keyboard or two to play live with band. My interface has also midi in/out. I want to play and record everything simultaneously with midi for future edits. Do I need some midi patchbay or something? Thanks

[@adamsiraaj]

I bought a Scarlett 212, 2 jbl mkii speakers, & an alesis v61, for a graduation gift. But, I’m clueless, in setting it up. I connected the speakers ,exactly the way you set yours, into the Scarlett , the Scarlett into the computer, the alesis, into the computer. I can hear music thru the speakers, but no sound from the keyboard ? Please help me… concern mom.

[@DUKEofWAIL]

I have recorded all the notes of 2 less common instruments, kalimba and tongue drum. Where can I learn to assign the sounds to my MIDI keyboard? Thank you, Kyle.

[@heartfacingupward]

Years ago there was a program called, Music Time. I was able to play my songs on the keyboard and the notes for the left and right hand would display on sheet music on my PC. I could simply print out the music I just played. I can not read music or know how to set timing. I can follow a beat and have no problem with that. What I like about the feature was that I could play what I had in my head and it landed on paper via the MIDI and PC. I have Finale Song Writer and am trying to figure out how to accomplish what the Free Shareware program from years ago did, without having to figure out tracts and so forth. I there a Forest Gump simple way to just play and print? Thanks

[@vandanadk9314]

Can u teach any daw to us which u think will help in the over all quality of the music? Also by watching ur videos alone, is it sufficient to make high quality music , without going to college for audio engineering? Btw great efforts, do not stop okay ? Channels like yours are our future musicians teacher of the technical stuff. So never give up!!

[@AudioUniversity]

There are definitely benefits to going to get formal schooling for audio, but I believe it’s possible to become great without school. You just need to keep learning and practicing!

[@timzhao6970]

can you give me a link for a mini keyboard that does not need to connect to devices?

[@thedorito5434]

How can I do this without using the virtual instruments, so I only use the sound that's built in with the the keyboard?

[@hobonickel840]

Does it have to be a virtual sound module ... can you use an analog synth module if has has midi?

[@panagiotispapadopoulos2083]

What is the name of the app you're using at 5:01?

[@optipwr40]

Great informative video! As a complete beginner one question keeps coming up. Why is there so much variation in the number of keys? I’ve seen some super small up to some pretty large midi devices.

[@AudioUniversity]

I think it has to do with cost and how it will be used. If you just want to record bass lines, melodies, or simple chords with one hand then a small keyboard is a low-cost option. If you want to play it like a piano, you’ll want more keys.

[@user-mm7oo5hp8h]

Whts the software?. And can i make a track with different instrument sounds on the keyboard? I need a reply please soon as possible.

[@jegantdragoch.7088]

what's the idea to create the music and then use the midi recorded to create notation when the song is done? others choose to create notation with midi then play the notes to create the music im thinking to make the music and once done, get the notes out of the recording

[@ralphups7782]

Very good guide, for dummies like me. Could you do a midi set up of a zoom rhythmtrak rt-223 old drum machine.? :-)

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks! Unfortunately, I don’t have one of those.

[@jamespatient7438]

Hi! I’m trying to figure out how to control Logic Pro from across the room during recording. Chat GPT told me “One great option for controlling Logic Pro from a distance is using a wireless MIDI controller or a Bluetooth MIDI device. These allow you to command the software remotely. You can assign functions like record, pause, and undo to buttons or knobs on the MIDI controller, giving you control from wherever you are in the room.” Is this true? Thanks a ton:)

[@gmm1904]

Digital rocks Cleveland rocks

[@hergestron]

I have a midi controller, but I dont want to produce music, just play instruments as I learn music. Recently I installed something called Korg Triton, that lets me just double click and play some instruments without a daw, but there are not many realistic instrumentes in there. Do you guys know a software very similar with more realistic instruments? Something simple for just double click and use it.

[@fed9096]

thanks for the video, very well done I'm totally new to midi controllers, would you suggest a 25 key one or a 49 key one? I just want to add some sounds to recordings, would 2 octaves be enough?

[@AudioUniversity]

I use a 49 and often wish I had more for piano-style playing, but for bass and synth, 25- or 49-key will probably be great.

[@fed9096]

@@AudioUniversity thank you!

[@levfriedman9802]

Do you have the ability to move the music file into a composition software and create a musical score? My main problem is that most composing softwares are such a hassel

[@rollandjoeseph]

When rendering the song, where does it get rendered to? Along the original tracks or elsewhere? Thx

[@AudioUniversity]

You decide that on the rendering screen. Usually to a specific folder on your computer.

[@nord1486]

I have 2 keyboards connected together with MIDI. Why is the master keyboard not playing the other one?

[@EliErshofficial]

I was wondering if I could just get my keyboard audio on to a free software without not being another audio

[@bimaljose6783]

So if i connect it to my laptop i couldnt use my lap speakers?