MIDI Part 1 - MIDI Signal Path

This is the first part of my series on MIDI. (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) In it we cover the basic idea of what MIDI is and how devices are connected together including how IN, OUT and THRU ports work, and the different types of MIDI connections.

[@hArtyTruffle]

Very informative. I learned midi back in the 80s but have completely forgotten everything I learned. Kids all grown with families of their own, so back to the music now. Thanks 👍🏼

[@williamspeed4209]

I concur.

[@russellgeyer8379]

Thanks ! Very good info for the beginner.

[@rudyb.4928]

Took me 2 years to find you but this information and your technique has proven to be both timeless and priceless 💯👌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@Toler8r]

This series is much appreciated. I, too, started on Windows 3.1 running Cakewalk, composed a ton way back in the day, and am now getting back into it. This refresher on MIDI basics is incredibly helpful and the information will be/is being applied to the use of the current Bandlabs version of Cakewalk. Thank you!

[@shiftedphase]

Great to hear you're getting into MIDI again! Glad I could be of use to you.

[@Toler8r]

Are you using the Bandlabs Cakewalk DAW these days? That’s what I’m using. So many new things to learn with virtual instruments.

[@BenStoneking]

This is very informative. I'll be watching the whole series. Thank you!

[@andymellor9056]

As a Midi n00b trying to set up his first home Studio, this was very to the point. I like your teaching style too. 🤓

[@shiftedphase]

I'm glad it helped you!

[@williamspeed4209]

Wow I will absorb these lessons as if my life depended upon them as I am rebuilding my (hybrid) studio after being on the road for over 2yrs, and midi is/will be a huge part of my setup. I Thank You In Advance

[@videolabguy]

Very good! I had Cakewalk way back in the 90s. I had a synth I was trying to play. It had MIDI so of course I hooked it to the old 486 with its whopping 2 megs of ram and 40 meg hard drive. And sat there wondering what to do next. I recall getting lost in remap tables that would go round in circles. I had too many hobbies and dropped that one and the rest is history. I then took bass guitar lessons for two years. Again, I found myself with 48 hours a day devoted to hobbies on a planet with 24 hour days. Doh! I sure could have used this series back then.

[@shiftedphase]

I definitely know what you mean! I also started with Cakewalk back in the day. Kept doing music but eventually found myself building music electronics and have been at it full time since 2009. Been spending more time doing designs than actually making music but as you said there are only so many hours in the day. Lockdown has helped to set new work/life balance... trying to spend more time playing when I can pull myself away from the workbench. :)

[@michaelproctor8777]

I found this to be very interesting and well presented. I used MIDI back in the early 90's with and Atari running cubase and a couple of yamaha dx synths. It was good to go back, recap on some old knowledge and then learn some of the new tricks. Some things I had forgotten but came right back when watching this. I am going to follow this series, use what I have learnt and then put it to use with my new equipment and DAW. Thanks for putting this together

[@shiftedphase]

Glad that you found it interesting!

[@ferenctulics9688]

Super easy to understand and informative. Great job! Thank you, brother!

[@daveking-sandbox9263]

Great episode! Keep them coming!

[@onesinglecircle]

I dipped in on your videos to figure out nrpns but then realized there was a lot I didn't know ... I'm now binge-watching them all (as the kids say). Thanks.

[@smartcrow7630]

Fine job Sir! I think you are the only person who could explain MIDI "Thru" with competence and real knowledge. Now I get it! Oh, my brother, I had/have Cakewalk v1.0 (5.25 floppy) in 1989 running on a 1 Mhz IBM PC Desk Top. What I would give to have such a simple easy to use program that gets the job done as Cakewalk 1.0 did, again!!!!!! I am sad that Cakewalk no longer exists as we knew them. =KL=

[@shiftedphase]

I still use Cakewalk 3.0. You can still use an old PC or a virtual machine for that old stuff. :)

[@TheRangeControl]

Thank you, this is AWESOME!!! I can't wait to send the rest of them!

[@daveking-sandbox9263]

FYI DIN stands for (Deutsche Industrie Norm). :-) I had my first synths here in Munich during the 70s. First we had only control voltage synths (using 0-5V) then around mid 80s the MIDI norm, for standardization (Roland/Korg+Yamaha) showed up with the DIN plug.

[@shiftedphase]

Yup, but I didn't really think it's important to mention. It probably felt futuristic back in the day... now it's hard to make it fit into a modern design. :)

[@edenottignon3493]

So helpful. Thank you! Looking forward to seeing later episodes about 2.0 midi

[@shiftedphase]

I spent some time studying the specification, and even attended a paid course by one of the developers. But so far I haven't found MIDI 2.0 very relevant or useful for the kind of projects I'm doing. I won't present it until I have actually implemented it in a real project.

[@stevenkaplan7040]

This is excellent. Thank you for sharing. Very grateful.

[@drummer4hire12]

Great presentation!!!! Very concise......Highly appreciated.

[@blairswitchproject2347]

Great content, I’m grabbing some snacks and getting settled in to watch the whole series!

[@shiftedphase]

Awesome! Everything is better with snacks.

[@johnleiby8684]

Great tutorials - clear and beginner friendly - with no fluff. Thank you Andrew!

[@shiftedphase]

Thanks!

[@escarabajo_o]

Thank you for these great series!

[@anastav6915]

Im gonna watch every single video of yours. Thank you so much for giving such a huge information and knowledge for free! You are so great at teaching!

[@fishbulb52]

went through a bunch of videos til i found this one, THANK YOU

[@MSMusic511]

Nice videos and well explained. This topic benefits from a clear and thorough instructor like yourself 👍🏼

[@shiftedphase]

Thanks!

[@machiwoomiapoo]

Thank you Woody Piano Shack for introducing me to all these wonderful KZbinrs! Here's another excellent KZbinr I didn't know about yet. Well, now I'm subscribed and educated. Excellent job! Your fellow Synthesizer KZbinr, Sam from machiwoomiapoo channel. Take care and have a wonderful year!

[@ozcandurmusoglu]

Your videos helped me alot to learn about midi. Having two synth and looking for an opportunity to learn and suffering from limited info about connections, it helped me a lot. thank you

[@shiftedphase]

Glad I shed some light on it for you.

[@headbangerministries6845]

Just what I've been looking for.

[@allgonewrongful]

Brilliant. I've looked up midi, and this is the best resource I've found. Thank you.

[@woopwoop769]

Thank you 🙏🏼 Amazing work!

[@djfreekiedeek3599]

Totally awesome Ben. Looking for the entire series now.

[@shiftedphase]

Not sure who Ben is, but glad you like it!

[@glitchgatsby4290]

I knew this was the right video series when I saw the DT Oscilloscopes on your shelf

[@kevc6115]

Super helpful video. Thanks a million! The reason the cables are labelled as they are is simple. It is the standard routing for all audio connectivity. The out or output sends a signal "OUT" of the Controller to the DAW with the USB connector as the In or Input to the DAW. On the return the USB is the output from the DAW sending the signal to the Input on the Controller.

[@Capt-Cran]

Thank you for taking the time to share the videos ... very helpful ... finally!!

[@Capt-Cran]

And I started with Cakewalk 3.1 also ...

[@monsterjazzlicks]

I look forward to viewing this series....

[@Herbuel]

Clear and complete. Thank you so much! 😊

[@patriciaoudart1508]

I'm going to look all episodes, fine!🙏🧡💚

[@bsatyam]

This is exactly what I was looking for. Amazing! Thanks!

[@zebedeezimminy]

excellent coverage of this topic, using paper and pen to describe the topic rather than 'hand waving' bravo!!! I agree with you about the tendency to 'hide' the midi protocol inside the USB configurations, this has caused me a lot of problems with software heavy configurations and is part of the reason I was looking for information about how MIDI actually works. I had an ATARI ST with midi ports connected to a Casio CZ and Korg DDD-1 drum machine hours of fun when modems ran at 9600 baud ;-) Cheers

[@shiftedphase]

Nice! Sometimes the more direct approach to music making is more fun. I think it explains why small table-top and modular synths have become so popular too.

[@ericsolis6868]

This was so helpful and the explanations of everything were perfect- thanks for taking the time to make this!

[@shiftedphase]

You're welcome! I'm glad you found it useful.

[@languageacquire4279]

You are the best about this , thank and thank and thank you , for your pristine knowledge that give to the world of owns totally ignorants !

[@djnanneex]

This is great!! Thank you very much, great work !!

[@omnaraiya]

Just discovered your channel. Love your content. Hope to see more, especially in the realm of music electronics.

[@shiftedphase]

Thanks! I'm working on a new series.

[@paulofigueiredo1479]

Great job. I was looking for this. Thank you.

[@AugustWillDecay1978]

Thank you so much for these videos, onto the part 2....

[@Scherbakov]

This video is useful for me! Thank you!

[@shiftedphase]

Glad to hear that!

[@mauriyamayamauri8148]

excellent material! Thank you!

[@shualiko]

Nicely done ✅ thanks 🙏

[@ek999]

Always good to see a fellow leftie!

[@AlienHomesick]

You describe it all super well, thank you so much!

[@shiftedphase]

Glad you liked my video!

[@digitalvamp]

Great video thanks!

[@pgtips4240]

Brilliant video!! Thanks so much for teaching this, it's so helpful to me.🙂🙂🙂

[@shiftedphase]

Hope you understand MIDI better now. :)

[@enriquesuarez2214]

Thanks for all the info!

[@tkmondavi5716]

Very informative. Thanks

[@k_tech69]

Nice explanation 👍🏻

[@antonioisraelvargasvalderr4399]

super cool video!!!!

[@Redbelo]

I am on the first video , thank you soo much soo far man, very useful info , going to your next video ,

[@lorenzocarrera9826]

exactly what i was needing, thanks !!

[@shiftedphase]

Glad it helped!

[@richarddixon5657]

Just starting out in dawless music making and was looking for a guy like this to explain midi and the terminology used. So thank you for taking the time to do this. I think I’m following your explanation. What I’m after is having my drum machine control the tempo of my synths, because I’m trying to add a live element to my Djing. I’m using vinyl and traktor through a xone 96. I beat match the tr8 to vinyl by ear but need the rest to sync up by them selves. I think this is what’s going on in my system so far clock out from traktor into mixer sound card then out to tr8’s in then out going to volca base. But just bought a korg monologue and have a Roland efx303 groove efx and sequencer that I’d like to try and control volca base with. Any advice welcome. 🤓 Going to watch the rest of your videos now. Thanks again...

[@shiftedphase]

If you have one clock source and just want to sync them all up, you might want a MIDI THRU box of some kind... this can make cabling easier.

[@richarddixon5657]

@@shiftedphase thanks, I’ll look into it.

[@scottchilds5726]

You are the boss man, thank you my friend.

[@sargamists]

Learned something new. Thank you

[@tonyk4447]

I hope we got a teacher like you in college , and I am even in a music department 😭

[@shiftedphase]

You can hire me!

[@ganghyeonryu8297]

Very useful for me. Thanks!

[@KadisSegad]

Please just the facts of the topic, the only reason we’re here! But thank you all the same!:)

[@shiftedphase]

Sorry if I'm long-winded. I just make the videos I would want my younger self to find.

[@CurtisCallawaychannel]

@shiftedphase you are really good at teaching- Great job !

[@shiftedphase]

I appreciate that!

[@jmsiener]

Hype for part 2

[@Kebekwoodcraft7375]

I just got a Kawai K4 add I need to install patches this is why I got here to learn about midi So far what I catch on is the USB in go to out and out to in I will try this before I threw it in the garbage!

[@Mehdi.Borousan]

Really really helpful, thanks a lot :)

[@ThefamousMrcroissant]

Appreciated. Very well put together and elaborate. A bit too elaborate for my personal tastes(too many pictures for rather trivial concepts) but that's always better than too abstract.

[@shiftedphase]

Glad it helped you. But it's hard to know the level of understanding of people watching the video. Perhaps like me you are very good at imagining technical concepts. This is very difficult for some people so I hope at least one of my analogies / images will "click" with everyone. :)

[@ThefamousMrcroissant]

@@shiftedphase Might be, it's what I studied after all. Also yea I understand, I'm merely giving feedback from my perspective here. The videos are great either way. Being more elaborate equals being more inclusive in this case.

[@springsdoc1]

Great video. I'm having confusion about hooking up my equipment. Here's a list of what I have and the MIDI ports on each. 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 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... ;-)

[@shiftedphase]

It doesn't matter what order you plug stuff in. It's more important to write down the actual MIDI ports you used for each if you're using DIN MIDI devices, since your software can't detect them by name like with USB. As for where to use what cables and ports... it's really up to you.

[@springsdoc1]

@@shiftedphase awesome. Thanks for the quick response

[@beaufighter245]

Thank you. Really helpful as struggling to link up my devices with keyboard.

[@shiftedphase]

Glad it helped you!

[@tonycannatamusic]

Great videos!

[@grausound]

Excellent video

[@myousickoflife]

Thank you! Much love

[@ronsone8373]

Thanks for this Just what i need

[@TheWarrior221]

This is very nice dude! Congrats

[@shiftedphase]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it!

[@TheWarrior221]

@@shiftedphase I´ve just found out about your Radiator proyect, it´s really awesome dude! Keep up the good work

[@shiftedphase]

@@TheWarrior221 Thanks! It was a lot of work but the results will show very soon as we are starting to ship next week!

[@TheWarrior221]

@@shiftedphase wish u the best of luck!

[@carlbdfrd]

Thank you, It was very helpful

[@twiglet2214]

Excellent thank you - learnt a lot !

[@icq4t42]

Thanks a lot. I've been trying to find someone who can explain midi in a precise and clear manner. Released in 2017 so the information is going to be up to date.

[@shiftedphase]

Not much has changed, except how we think about using MIDI. It's still got potential far beyond how most of us are using it. :)

[@kyma1999x]

+Shifted Phase the most common issue is raster delays that midi has still todays...cannot be 'sample locked' to daw....but is easier to measure this time stamp issue and then slip the track/region after recorded in audio and align it to audio tracks, the problem could be only if one want to use it completely in realtime even during mixing. some people buy old samplers assuming they sound better than software...that is quite true, sound different...but if you later record them inside a computer using crappy audiocards the problem will still be there...so the only solution would be doing old school....sampler playing midi tracks on different channels via separate outputs and then into an analogue mixing console. but with modern interfaces timing issues could be a problem, knowing well midi protocol is important so these videos could be really helpful for people interested in this kind of usage.

[@shiftedphase]

You have some interesting points. I think whatever tool people feel "at one" with that gets them results they're after for music making is the right one. It's fascinating how "progress" can sometimes leave out unique qualities of older systems that potentially made them better for some uses. Just look at the retro computing scene!

[@kyma1999x]

+Shifted Phase yes it is....and the most strange and interesting point is.... i am completely sure if we talked maybe in 1972 to moog robert, or pearlman and stated "in 2017 your electronic stuff will sound better than the newbie" they probably called us fools....in 2017 we will probably on mars! and same with ppl who made akais or emu samplers of the nineties. but this is what actually happened, today moog had to reissue model d minimoog, and people still searching old stuff....but whereas retrocomputing is only nostalgic stuff because you can emulate 1:1 in modern pc so prefering a real nes or amiga is only a question of "feelings" because every pc or mac or smartphone can emulate 1:1 those hardwares, with old music gear is not always possibile neither digital or analogue. arturia or ni have minimoog emulations via vst but the real thing sounds really better and different, we are getting close but having a real model d or a vst version is still not the same (and we still have not considered the hardware feeling side.....) And then but this is imho....we gained so much more possibilities in terms of power compared to 20/30 years ago (every mac with logic can handle at least 96 tracks....) but music is not changed in better....when i listen to some electronics from 80s and 90s with samplers max 16 megabytes, old school midi and more primitive stuff compared to nowadays possibilities, I'm not perceiving it like dated or oldie, and never boring....what instead I feel in the most of modern productions.

[@juliaasmr7380]

Awesome and thanks.

[@jeromewelch7409]

thank you! I love the pen and paper it's awesome

[@monsterjazzlicks]

Great tutorial, thanks!

[@shiftedphase]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Klocaine237]

Thank you so much for the info. Nice

[@shiftedphase]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JubileeGiggles]

explained more clearly and with less distracting humor

[@ronaldrojas4575]

Excellent my brother thank you

[@shiftedphase]

Glad you liked it, but I'm an only child.

[@ronaldrojas4575]

Shiftedphase you got jokes

[@roskoeusa]

Thank you. Very helpful

[@gooncrusha6638]

Thank you sir

[@DrBenOne]

That was really great Andrew, very informative and a top presentation. I really appreciate the time and thought you've taken to explain this complex topic. I've been using DAWs, midi controllers, virtual instruments and electric guitars for quite a few years and now adding synths and drum machines to the mix. Getting to understand what midi does, connecting devices, syncing devices and all that stuff is essential to ensure a fruitful and enjoyable experience. You've certainly grown my understanding today and and over the next few days when I revisit your vid. One question, what do you cook in those really small microwave ovens you have?

[@indianexpressway123]

heaps good video, v succinct

[@shiftedphase]

Thanks!

[@nykpower668]

tnx,informative indeed

[@brdane]

Would love to have an updated video going over MIDI 2.0 and comparing.

[@shiftedphase]

I'll try to get to it sometime.

[@brdane]

@@shiftedphase Awesome. Great video again, friend!

[@orcasea59]

Thanks for this sensible explanation. I have a question regarding daisy-chaining keyboard controllers to control software synths In a DAW. Would you use in/thru, in/thru & in/thru with the end controller providing the OUT return to the DAW so you have a complete in/out loop?

[@shiftedphase]

You can’t do it like that... the THRU will not mix in signals from the keyboard itself. It only passes signals from the IN port. If you want multiple controllers use a multi port MIDI interface to you computer.

[@virgilwilliams2378]

I write with my left hand also so i perfectly understand your handwriting.

[@shiftedphase]

Good to see some other exclusive lefty club members are here. Sorry that it's so messy but I normally use a computer. :)

[@ranzee]

Hi! I saw your vid on Woody's video, thought I'd subscribe and say hi :)

[@nancykling544]

Excellent,,

[@shiftedphase]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@RodrigoRodriguez-ru6gc]

great tutorials !!!thx for the info)i would like to know if the connections might change with a keyboard that have as well USB connection(I have a arturia keystep with volca bass)

[@shiftedphase]

USB MIDI is just MIDI over a special USB protocol but is the same messages as regular MIDI. But I don't really understand your question.

[@DanieleNasuti]

This is a very useful video for me!!! Just what I needed. Yet you gave me an hint and now I have a question :) Since I need to connect mymaster keyboard to PC and also the synth to PC, and sometimes control the synth by midi message from master keyboard, what is the fastest and better connection I should do? Is there a difference in latency if I connect by midi the masterkey to the synth or the masterkey to the PC and throug pc control the synth by playing the masterkey?

[@chhabraramesh1]

Thanks for the information

[@Gamernutritionfacts]

I know this video is quite old by now but I have a question; When we daisy chain from the external synth that is playing back the sequence in the DAW, does the thru send the MIDI channel that the sequence is on from the synth to the Drum machine no matter what, or can you record and play a new sequence on the synth itself, assign that to a new MIDI channel, and send that to the drum machine? Like here's the hypothetical I had in my head; so a DAW is sending a MIDI sequence to an external synth that is playing some kind of lead preset. Now yow want to connect the MIDI thru from the synth to a drum machine, but you want a different sequence of MIDI notes to play (not the same one that the DAW is sending to the synth) could you record a new sequence in the synth, save it, and send it via thru to the drum machine, and now that drum machine would play that different sequence with it's drum sounds? Please just tell me if none of this makes sense or is just completely non practical

[@shiftedphase]

The THRU port is literally an electrical copy of what comes into the IN port. The local synth has no way to change it. But because MIDI supports 16 channels on one cable, you can have your DAW send multiple sequences on the same cable, and just set your synths to different channels. The whole purpose of THRU is for this very use case... back in the day computers literally had only 1 MIDI out in most cases. So entire studios were running from a single daisy-chained cable like this.

[@relaxingpianomusic6492]

Respect ❤

[@fckndrummczinz]

Thank you :)