MIDI Explained for Beginners

[@braydenblankenship1432]

I feel like I have watched almost every video on youtube explaining this simple idea. I don't understand why they couldn't break it down like this. Thanks a lot man!

[@MusicSequencing]

Glad it helped man!!! Thanks for the feedback!

[@kristian21]

Exactly my thoughts :)))

[@griccao]

Yes, this is actually the first video that actually explains MIDI in a easy, intuitive way to understand

[@josephclark5965]

Exactly. I think many have a tendency to (for lack of a better word) - "show off" their own knowledge of any subject.. or impress their peers. Ironic given the mark of a great teacher is the ability to help OTHERS to truly understand. As was done so well in this video.

[@ayruhn5839]

My prof sent me two 10-minute readings introducing MIDI and this video still did a better job. Thank you so much!

[@MusicSequencing]

Glad it helps :)

[@Mooshnick]

My DUDE----I've been avoiding midi for nearly half a century---because the producers I was around didn't know how to explain it. And because I've been able to create without it---up until NOW---i've had very lil interest---as hit is a hit. BUT YOU explained it in less than 8 minutes. So now I have over 30 years' worth of music that can now be set up and controlled via midi ---is my understanding. As I plan to sync with tons of photography and art I've been creating for an equal amount of time. Sorry for the extended commentary but I'm excited to learn this as you just inherited a student for life. Much gratitude!!!

[@MusicSequencing]

Thank you so much for the feedback Patrick! Glad that it helped! All the best with your musical journey with the power of MIDI :)

[@anch95]

So MIDI is basically the periodic table but for music notes

[@MusicSequencing]

In a way :)

[@johnrodriguez2440]

I mean it’s just piano keys but yes basically

[@xxxxxxx235]

@@MusicSequencing I mastered that shxt n highschool I can do this preesh😎

[@mila1012]

More like a translator....

[@VisforVillains]

@@mila1012 this! Because really Midi can speak with any instrument or device that is midi enabled: if you equip your toaster with midi and program the software for it to interact with a sequencer, it will make your toast exactly as you want.

[@natrium1250]

Makes me sad that this was one of your last vids. This was a great and funny explanation. Thoroughly underrated. Hope you're doing well, and have seen (or will see) the success you deserve

[@jeffreyalanday7432]

Finally, with your vid I finally understood the basics of MIDI. Thank you so much for the understandable explanation, other vids were just too complicated and carelessly made. Seems a lot of other people here agree. Explaining something to beginners is an art - because we don't yet have simple concepts.

[@sotha8203]

When you put it that way, the invention of the MIDI sounds positively dystopian. Awesome video! 👏

[@musicproductionnerd]

MIDI is such an amazing technology in music production. Great explanation man!

[@citizenworld8094]

There were lots of folk who never knew that rice crispies were made of individual grains of rice. This was the same for me.

[@MusicSequencing]

hahahaha

[@twiglet2214]

....and theyr're filled with snap,crackle and pop as the ad used to inform us !

[@xXC0deZer0Xx]

Great Job! I think you've given one of the best explanations on midi I've seen online.

[@MusicSequencing]

Thanks!! Happy to hear it helps!

[@kevinbirnbaum6460]

Thanks. I'm not the brightest bulb in the pack - like 5 bulbs shy - and I still got it. Finally.

[@MusicSequencing]

Glad to hear Kevin!

[@chloewhite9122]

Thanks so much for explaining it in a way that isn’t either super complicated or dumbed down without any technicality. This helped so much. Also loving the ferris beuler t-shirt.

[@johnnyismybro]

Bravo!

[@murtaza-magsi]

"Boss gets hit by a bus!!!!" LOL The look on his face when he thought of this scenario over the top of his head when explaining why midi was invented.

[@MusicSequencing]

💩

[@derekking2765]

Thanks for explaining the history as well. Great video!

[@himanshuverma3281]

Wow. Just Wow. Thank You so so much. Please keep uploading more videos on Studio Recording, Mixing etc. Thanks Again.

[@MusicSequencing]

Thank you Himanshu!

[@awonderingoneil206]

rip your American midi Boss Jokes aside, this was a really useful vid and really well explained. Cheers man.

[@MusicSequencing]

Glad it helps :)

[@TheMastermindII]

That was actually the best explanation I’ve heard Subbed🙂

[@MusicSequencing]

Thanks Kayzz :)

[@sagar1992]

Nah this was bullshit. I understood nothing

[@geoffconrad1556]

Great analogy brother. Best explanation on You Tube by far--well done!!!

[@MusicSequencing]

Glad it helped Geoff :)

[@edwardlybrand3902]

This was so helpful thank you.

[@timanderson9466]

Great analogy. “Hey Japanese instrument, you speak MIDI?” Yeah man, I speak MIDI.

[@MusicSequencing]

hahaha

[@nickydas8122]

Very good explanations. Thank you!!

[@musicvisualsproductions4869]

The best simple language explanation out there!

[@MusicSequencing]

Glad it helps :)

[@johnvarghese8833]

Can this work only with out speakers alone? Or it needs a computer?

[@havenofear7033]

Thank you. Now for part 2 (hooking up hardware and recording with midi)?

[@yabetsieyasu]

Thank you!! Please would you help me to have one midi keyboard?🙏🙏🙁

[@JohnODonovan1]

I just picked an axiom air 32, I've never owned one. This video was the perfect bit of knowledge to start learning from. Thanks a lot, you're getting a sub for that.

[@MusicSequencing]

Thanks John, glad it helped :)

[@friendboy10]

I learned a lot more than I ever thought I would. Excellent video. This answered questions I didn't even have.

[@manueloverhoff3493]

But where from does the kontroller know your name alex?

[@MusicSequencing]

💩

[@murdoch.22]

This explanation earned a sub.

[@MusicSequencing]

Thanks Aidan :)

[@cat1106]

Thank you for helping me understand

[@gingercarper5073]

Great job. Thanks.

[@MusicSequencing]

Thanks :)

[@AJMusicUganda]

It took me long to sync in 😂but I later did. Well done sir

[@hemfri07]

Greetings,i am music producer for over 30 years now,ergo,You forgot one BIG thing about MIDI- When MIDI was introduced,it was not so compatible,so Roland in '90 establish -GSS , that could be use universaly,like CH 1-is Always Piano,CH 10-is Allways DRUMS,before GENERAL MIDI ,you first need to program and adjust MIDI channels to work as you planned,GENERAL MIDI -SOLVED that Problem issue-sorry but i needed to afilliate your explanation of MIDI,and this is shortly sade-there is much more,but ,enough for now,yours truly (i have 17 Synths,not including other instruments,and i work with BIG names)in my A studio (the bigest one+B and C)

[@HeyItsEvi]

This was the best explanation of this

[@MusicSequencing]

Glad to help :)

[@10freekie2]

As a piano player wanting to do this it finally clicked that, (of course,) I don’t need to play and record the music at all, but can just write it and let it play from my computer 😮. Interesting.

[@BeccaCalaRoarr3]

woww really good video thanks ~ Roarr!

[@arunpai1515]

can I connect my casio CT S1 to PC and have chord accompaniment ? which plays the way I move

[@creampuff966]

What an awesome and easy to understand explanation. Thank you so much! I would really love a whole video series for beginners

[@MusicSequencing]

Great suggestion!

[@Meizhaze]

incredible. I finally got it. THE RELIEF.... phu, Thank you!🤗

[@MusicSequencing]

You're welcome 😊

[@Musiconly5934]

Can i plug a midi keyboard and play it as a piano on my computer with the help of ezkeys without any interface???

[@MusicSequencing]

Yes, but you might need to host ezkeys in a DAW

[@micro-mbacedric1092]

That was very useful. Thank you.

[@MusicSequencing]

Glad it helps :)

[@nooutdoorcats]

@@MusicSequencing SO WHERE DOES THE SOUND COME OUT?

[@Josev-TV]

But how do you connect midi to a DAW? Do you use a line-in from an interface?

[@AaronRaglandTV]

Hey, I'm not the content creator, but I've been making music for around 20 years. With mdi controllers, you'd want a USB 2.0 cable to hook up to your computer's USB port. From there, you may need to adjust preferences in your DAW. Once preferences are set in your DAW and your DAW recognizes your midi controller, you should be good to go. You just starting to make music?

[@Josev-TV]

@@AaronRaglandTV awesome! Thanks. I’ve been playing music for a while but just starting to record by myself. Thanks for this, I really appreciate it.

[@AaronRaglandTV]

@@Josev-TV Dope! It's always nice to talk to others who make music. You already have a MIDI Controller or you looking?

[@Josev-TV]

@@AaronRaglandTV I’m looking. I figured it would be easier to play digital instruments with a midi rather than typing on a Mac computer

[@AaronRaglandTV]

@@Josev-TV Oh yeah, midi controllers make it so much easier than a computer keyboard. I’ve been using my own MIDI controllers since 08/09, but used more hardware/synthesizers before that. My first MIDI controller was the older model of the M-Audio Keystation 49. What types of controllers are you looking at?

[@johnturner2889]

Great explanation!

[@mattturley4953]

great video. thanks dude 👍

[@apnudi]

this is like the beginning of a DND quest :) love it

[@JeremyCook]

Great explanation. Enjoyed it!

[@sarahafreenmalik2679]

Great job

[@sirapobjackjantah6226]

Great video, just subscribed, keep it up!

[@MusicSequencing]

Thanks for the sub!

[@LaCrisArts]

I loved this video, how you've explained it all and your vibe ✨ muchas gracias, Alex.

[@Andrea-xw4xe]

I still don't understand why i need midi if notation software like sibelius also allows me to transcribe the music as it is played on an attached keyboard or a microphone.

[@AaronRaglandTV]

I've been making music for about 20 years. I really think it's all about preference. I personally like to play on a keyboard because piano is my main instrument and I feel more comfortable that way. Do you play an instrument?

[@13junior15]

great lesson!

[@latinangel3470]

Thank You. Was Looking for a mini keyboard. Now I know it’s not midi. Thanks again

[@jodyjohnson265]

Is there a midi tracker for midi file messages because if you load a midi file there's a lot going on in that file.

[@theophilusayittah4996]

Loaded🔥🔥🔥

[@mac.fk14]

hey can you please tell me if is it possible to make a piano with a laptop and a midi controller so i an play real time

[@sebastianvega4576]

you do not even need a extra midi controller for that. you can use your computer keyboard, if you want. if you have a keyboard with midi function, you need to route it to your DAW (via USB or MIDI cable). It should be obvious where to connect the USB cable, but in the case of a MIDI cable, you probably need an external soundcard (so called Digital Audio Interface) with a MIDI IN port. If you connect via USB, a driver installation for your MIDI controller on your computer might be necessary. if your DAW receives MIDI information (which is always indicated in some form) you can control any virtual instrument you have in your DAW. to play in "real time", the latency of the sound processing needs to be low, otherwise you get a noticeable delay between hitting the note on the controller and hearing the sound (which sucks). The Digital Audio Interface helps with that

[@mac.fk14]

@@sebastianvega4576 thanks

[@Mr.A_LDN]

Subbed for the T-shirt alone:-)

[@MusicSequencing]

:)

[@RestlessLightning]

I still can't figure out if you wamt to use free beats or buy beats. Why do you neee a midi controller or even a Daw plug in

[@Mokkel73]

I have not eaten enough fungus to understand this yet.

[@larsdahl6594]

And here I was thinking MIDI was a digital instrument to make PacMan sounds on the computer. Seriously. Thanks! 😜

[@MusicSequencing]

😂 Glad it helped!!!

[@mitchdavis5216]

my keyboard has a midi in and a midi out. Does that mean I can use it as a midi controller?

[@MusicSequencing]

yes! to get it into a modern computer, if it's a standard midi cable (5 prog cable instead of USB type cable) you might need a USB MIDI interface. They're about 20dollars or so on amazon. Hope that helps! Here is an example (but I don't know if it's any good) www.amazon.com/FORE-Interface-Converter-Adapter-Laptop/dp/B0719V8MX1/ref=sr_1_6?crid=DA797J7RG1AG&keywords=midi+usb+interface&qid=1678110229&sprefix=midi+usb+interfac%2Caps%2C203&sr=8-6

[@_samzaher]

Amazing bro!

[@MusicSequencing]

Thanks :)

[@josephlorenzo4929]

Awesome teacher and lesson . Now I see. thank you

[@MusicSequencing]

Glad it helped :)

[@terryketron6739]

Thanx for the intro.

[@Sqrlluminati]

lol i felt like you were both really nervous and really comfortable somehow at the same time XD in the best way possible of course. i really appreciate you doing it though, you make it easy to understand. so thank you :D sorry about your boss though :/ i hope that bus got fired by his boss.....wait....you dont think the bus would....im glad im not a boss :0

[@yamoms9557]

So pretty much you can program the midi to make different sounds and stuff through what ever program ur using ?

[@MusicSequencing]

Yes, as long as the program can understand midi messages :)

[@OldTownKiller]

very very new to these things, but do these keyboards only make piano sounds or if a different virtual instrument is selected it'll make the notes for that instrument? trying to figure out what i need to get into recording music. thank you for the video!

[@MusicSequencing]

Yes, exactly! But what might be a little more confusing is there are digital pianos that might make their own sounds as well as having midi out to control other sounds. If you already have a digital piano look at the back for a USB output or a "Midi Output" and then you could also potentially use it to control sounds on your computer.

[@brandullio]

Hey! If I'm a total begginer using the piano, and I intend to use it for personal use only (not in concerts or anything like that) how much important is it if the piano I want to buy, has MIDI or not? I overall like a certain model of piano, but the main issue is that it doesn't have MIDI

[@MusicSequencing]

If you want to produce music with the piano then midi would be important, if not then you're probably fine without it.

[@alanblakeguitarist]

Hey can you help me with my set up of guitar effects and midi? I have an Eventide H90 and a Line 6 Helix floor unit. I am trying to have the line 6 control the H90. If you do private instructions maybe we can try a video call? I will pay you for your time. Thanks!

[@pontiacmusic9577]

So what is a midi instrument? or are they all midi controllers?

[@MusicSequencing]

A "Midi Instrument" could be defined a few different ways. For example: a synthesizers that also has a midi output. So you can play the synth just as an instrument (analog output) or use it as a midi controller, or send midi into it and record the audio output. It could also refer to a "Midi Instrument" in a software program like a DAW or a software synthesizer, that takes in MIDI input and outputs digital audio. Hope that helps :)

[@carlbowles1808]

I'm from the pre midi Era. Without midi we wouldn't be having this conversation.

[@skatas2578]

If eventually you are going to click the notes with the mouse why do you need a midi and don't use just the DAW? Sorry I am a beginner and i can't understand

[@MusicSequencing]

Hi, good question! When you click the notes with the mouse you are actually creating midi. The DAW is using midi. Another way to think about it is, when you click and make a note in one DAW such as Ableton, it is generating the exact same code as if you were doing it in a different DAW like Logic. Hope that helps!

[@skatas2578]

@@MusicSequencing yes that was definitely helpful..thanks!!

[@unkn0wn_edits_]

I Want To Learn To Make Songs On Midi Where Can I Find The Tutorials

[@MusicSequencing]

KZbin is great! Depends on what kind of songs you want to make. I would pick a DAW first (if on a Mac try Garageband) and then look on youtube for basic tutorials on how to get started.

[@dancorwin9232]

This is hands down the BEST beginners explanation for MIDI i have ever seen. Thank you so much!!

[@MusicSequencing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mav474]

Thanks for the simple explanation!

[@mav474]

Thanks to KZbin also to enable this!

[@MusicSequencing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SnepBlepVR]

I just bought my first midi controller, and I was astounded of how many reviews on the website said “doesn’t work makes no sound” I’m like bruh.

[@MusicSequencing]

But did they try smacking them? 💩

[@SnepBlepVR]

@@MusicSequencing there’s one review on the one I bought that while in Spanish(a language I know very little of) you could tell her complaint was “it lights up but no music plays.”

[@blocxa_3541]

Do you NEED a midi keyboard to work the vst's in Cakewalk?? I cant seem to get it to work (previewing sounds before i put them into the DAW- no sounds is coming out)n >:( if so what budget midi would you recommend amazon reviews are all over the place..

[@MusicSequencing]

Hi, I've never used Cakewalk but I can pretty much guarantee you don't need a midi keyboard. What you need to search for is "how to create a Midi region in cakewalk". Maybe the midi regions can go directly onto a track with a VST instrument or maybe you need to connect a midi track to a VST instrument somehow. I strongly recommend you watch a tutorial explaining Cakewalk's main functionalities or maybe find a course online. Hope that helps :)

[@EclecticSceptic]

Good video thanks

[@MusicSequencing]

You're welcome :)

[@fizzycreamsouda1852]

This is so brilliant and helpful, thank you so much.

[@MusicSequencing]

You're so welcome!

[@Nathancolburn]

How do I get the sound to come out of an amp? From computer or straight from midi? Also what cables would I need to do this?

[@MusicSequencing]

Midi does not make sound, so to get sound out of an amp you will need an analog cable. The whole signal flow might look something like this (if you start from a MIDI keyboard) : Midi keyboard with a USB into the computer -> Software Synthesizer / or Sampler In Computer -> Digital Audio to a AUDIO INTERFACE (this will convert digital audio into Analog Signal, it connects to the computer via USB as well, here's an example of an audio interface amzn.to/2Z1Quj1) -> Out of the audio interface you will use some analog cable that can go to your amp, something like this www.thomann.de/de/the_sssnake_spr2015.htm

[@caseymcgonigle3890]

This was great. Makes me want to start poking around with MIDI a bit. In the meantime, is there a MIDI-equivalent (or can MIDI itself do this) that can identify notes and tempo from music played out loud (ie on a non-MIDI piano) and plot them the way that MIDI does?

[@MusicSequencing]

This feature exists in some Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), like in Logic Pro X, Ableton Live, and FL studio (at least I believe) and probably more DAWs as well. If you do a search for Audio to Midi in Logic Pro or Audio to Midi in Ableton Live ect (pick any DAW) and you will find some great tutorials that will show you exactly how to do it :)

[@caseymcgonigle3890]

@@MusicSequencing Awesome! Thanks for the quick reply!

[@benallmark9671]

Ok , I just got. Yamaha P120 , it has MIDI so I wouldn’t need one of these MIDI controllers right ? Because the P120 would be the controller, or no ?

[@MusicSequencing]

Right! But you may need to search for a "Yamaha P120" driver if it doesn't work right away going USB into your computer

[@benallmark9671]

@@MusicSequencing Thanks man.

[@shreepadgandhi6739]

Loved this. I have been using Casio MIDI enabled keyboard for 2 years now. Have a Ableton 10 Intro License. I would be really grateful and thankful to have your response to this. Whenever I record or play a tune it has to necessarily be in a slow tempo...Say 90 bpm (am referring to Ableton Intro DAW)...If I play fast (above 120 bpm) either the system hangs for a moment and restores without a crash or the notes I play do not get processed. My question to you is if I connect and use a dedicated MIDI controller like AKAI or Kontakt would I be able to overcome the bpm restriction? My guess is the Casio keyboard that I use, though MIDI compatible is the culprit for this concern. I haven't yet tested my setup by using a MIDI controller like the one shown above. Also wish to inform that once I record the whole clip I desire at 90 BPM and playback even at 150 bpm it plays seamlessly without any glitsch Thanks in advance. From Pune city, India

[@MusicSequencing]

I can't be completely sure because there are so many components in music production but it sounds like it might be the Casio. You could try increasing the Buffer Rate in Ableton to see if that helps. Sorry I can't give a more specific answer.

[@shreepadgandhi6739]

@@MusicSequencing Thanks for your reply. The culprit was the sound driver. Windows 10 default sound drivers aren't the best sound drivers to process music...i downloaded the latest ASIO4All and installed and chose them in Ableton. Lot of improvement was noticed...Further I connected Focusrite audio interface and chose Focusrite sound drivers in Ableton...the performance was found to be still further better. So far so good. I also have purchased Arturia minilab3...fun exploring now. Thanks again for your time. Pune, India

[@goinbzurk]

Great Job and Presentation! You should make a video that teaches other KZbin posters how to make a KZbin instructional video! Thanks for a plain english easy to understand video!

[@atakankara7331]

okay so simply put, midi is a universal remote control.

[@juxtapos1034]

beautiful

[@BanjoEarth]

What a beautiful video! hilarious and informative simultaneously. Thanks!

[@sandboxhero7587]

Thank you for explaining what a midi controller is! A light bulb just went on in my brain. haha. Curious can I use a midi controller to learn piano? Not planning on being a concert pianist or anything of that level....just want to dabble in it without investing lots of money. I just like them because they are affordable, portable (don't take up much room) and depending on the model are cool looking haha

[@MusicSequencing]

Yes you can, no need to learn piano, you could also get midi drum pads, or even midi guitar and wind instruments :)

[@KllswtchOvrDrv]

Great presentation!

[@MusicSequencing]

Thank you :)

[@ryanmartinez2876]

Are you saying that .976362849482628595937 times out of 1, it doesn’t matter whether your using a USB controller or a MIDI controller?

[@MusicSequencing]

If you are using a USB controller to control an audio program, chances are the digital signal coming out of the USB controller is MIDI. So they are literally outputting the same data. But a USB controller might be able to receive firmware updates or other sorts of data from the computer. Also a USB Midi Controller, would only require 1 cable for both MIDI input and Output, where the classic 5 pin Midi controllers need separate cables

[@showbiztv_sa4181]

Is it possible to connect my Tascam 2x2 with the Digidesign 003 mixer via MIDI, if possible how can i do it? I want to use it to control Logic Pro X.

[@graceorr_]

Mouth dropped….. thanks

[@maxwarfield6699]

Ok, but you need a computer, without it, is it still possible to use a MIDI instrument?

[@PinupSticknerd]

Plug midi keyboard into synth 😊 -synth has midi in - midi keyboard has midi out I appreciate you.

[@lexzyland]

Hmm! Thanks man!

[@MusicSequencing]

Sure thing!

[@rikhyde4944]

You explained this wonderfully! Thank You! sub'd!

[@MusicSequencing]

Thanks Rik!

[@Infamoussjay]

Wow Sir this is incredible. I wish you could teach me everything I want to know because you explain things so well, an idiot could become a genius listening to you. Excellent video.

[@paulbrown160]

Brilliant.

[@log7978]

my only concern was like how to change the drum sounds and piano sound to like a synth

[@MusicSequencing]

If you have the MIDI, you can just drag it to another track on your DAW. If you have a DAW, I'd look up some tutorials on that to find your answer :)

[@log7978]

@@MusicSequencing thanks I tried it and it worked you really helped me!

[@Dead-Eye]

Good job, man. Thanks.

[@MusicSequencing]

Glad it helps :) Thanks for the feedback!

[@saltygandalf3918]

THANK YOU THIS HELPS

[@MusicSequencing]

Glad to hear :)