{"id":29852,"date":"2026-02-27T16:16:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T21:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/?p=29852"},"modified":"2026-02-27T16:16:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T21:16:42","slug":"what-is-midi-in-music","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/what-is-midi-in-music\/","title":{"rendered":"What is MIDI in music (and how do you use it)?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p style=\"font-size:15px\" class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Illustration:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.michaelgh.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Michael Haddad (opens in a new tab)\"><strong>Michael Haddad<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Much like <a href=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/what-is-a-daw\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>&#8216;DAW,&#8217;<\/strong><\/a> &#8216;MIDI&#8217; is a term that&#8217;s most often referred to in its acronym form.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Both of these are examples of tools that nearly all music producers use, but many may not know<em> <\/em>exactly what they are or when to use them in the context of <a href=\"http:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/how-to-make-music\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">making music.<\/a> In this article, we demystify what exactly MIDI is, and how you can get the most out of it as a music creator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Feel free to use the table of contents below to quickly navigate to a specific section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What you&#8217;ll learn:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#Definition\"><strong>What is MIDI in music?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#History\"><strong>The history of MIDI<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Importance\"><strong>What makes MIDI so important?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Settings\"><strong>Settings and parameters to know<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#MPE\"><strong>MPE: The future of MIDI for musicians<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Downloads\"><strong>Free MIDI downloads<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Feeling ready? Let&#8217;s start things off by defining exactly what MIDI is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Definition\">What is MIDI in music?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>MIDI<\/strong> stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, and in its most simple form, is a digital language. Developed in the 1980s, MIDI is a communication protocol that allows your computer, external hardware, and any additional music software to most effectively communicate with one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While this seems like an obvious need, keep in mind that hardware synthesizers and computers as we know them were initially separate innovations. The original methods of synthesis didn&#8217;t take into account how instruments might communicate with a computerized DAW, nor did manufacturers make it a priority to process data in the same way as other synth creators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, by creating a universal method for compatibility, we became able to leverage music hardware to create and manipulate our sounds with more ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"History\">The history of MIDI<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As the story goes, instrument-making leaders Roland, Oberheim, Sequential, and Moog were among the first to call for a universal language between their machines. The result, MIDI, would go on to define electronic music\u2014and music production across all genres\u2014as we know it. From the initial idea to a presentation at the famous NAMM conference just a few years later, music history was made almost instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.perfectcircuit.com\/signal\/history-of-midi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Perfect Circuit<\/em><\/a> astutely compares this push for standardization to how VHS beat out Betamax as the industry standard for video. This was of course a precedent to DVD, which then ceded to Blu-ray. In the case of MIDI, the unification of key leaders in the space allowed for the development to be swift, collaborative, and forward-thinking\u2014so much so that it took over 30 years for an update to the coding, MIDI 2.0, to be released and for industry adoption to begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A few years prior, The GRAMMYs <a href=\"https:\/\/www.grammy.com\/news\/technical-grammy-award-ikutaro-kakehashi-and-dave-smith\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">honored MIDI\u2019s founders<\/a> with a technical award. The next such award recipient, perhaps for MPE (touched on below), remains to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Importance\">What makes MIDI so important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You might be wondering what\u2019s the difference between MIDI vs. audio. Unlike audio recording, in which <a href=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/analog-to-digital-conversion\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a performance is captured and reconstructed digitally,<\/a> MIDI data is solely information. This means that, while you might still capture a take on a MIDI keyboard or another controller, the resulting file is only a collection of data. Generally, this is visualized within what&#8217;s called a <strong>piano roll.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That said, keep in mind that without a software instrument selected within your DAW, no playback will be available. The data needs a something to speak through, of which there are endless purchasable and <a href=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/instrument\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">free options to choose from.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s what selecting an instrument might look like in your DAW:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Selecting an instrument in Bitwig Studio\" width=\"370\" height=\"278\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bfYAvEh5P90?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">Loading an instrument in <a href=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/daws\/39084269-bitwig-studio-by-bitwig\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bitwig Studio<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In many ways, post-production is far more dynamic with MIDI as compared to audio. While you can keep a track exactly as you&#8217;ve performed it, you also have the full ability to correct your mistakes, change the timbre, and completely overhaul the pattern through methods like inversing, reversing, and quantizing. In this way, MIDI data is the ultimate musical scratchpad\u2014performance is no longer the only way to create dynamic music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Settings\">Settings and parameters to know<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When learning how to use <a href=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/what-is-a-midi-keyboard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a MIDI keyboard<\/a> or other MIDI controller, it\u2019s important to note that your DAW will likely offer a number of setting controls for your external controllers. These will determine a number of things, but most broadly, how much control of the MIDI output comes from the DAW\u2019s settings or those of your controller. Parameters like <strong>track,<\/strong> <strong>sync,<\/strong> and <strong>remote<\/strong> can be set for each MIDI controller individually, and make a big difference in how MIDI data is captured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-blog-splice wp-block-embed-blog-splice\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"JCXVO7Lwso\"><a href=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/what-is-a-midi-keyboard\/\">What is a MIDI keyboard?<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;What is a MIDI keyboard?&#8221; &#8212; Blog | Splice\" src=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/what-is-a-midi-keyboard\/embed\/#?secret=8wSxyGr0uO#?secret=JCXVO7Lwso\" data-secret=\"JCXVO7Lwso\" width=\"370\" height=\"209\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A piece of advice for whenever you&#8217;re unsure: Activate the help text, which most DAWs will display on the bottom-left corner of their interface when you hover over a given parameter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s also crucial to understand the difference between <strong>MIDI in,<\/strong> <strong>out,<\/strong> and <strong>thru.<\/strong> As you would use an electric instrument and its amplifier, the output of your instrument (such as your MIDI keyboard) should connect to the input of the source recording it. If you, however, have more than one controller in use, you can connect these separately, or chain them together through the use of MIDI thru ports. This will allow for a single stream of MIDI, made unique by how you decide to combine instruments and their settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, consider your hardware setup for your studio flow. With MIDI came a new <a href=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/guide-most-common-audio-cables\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cabling system,<\/a> which has a distinct look due to its five-pin structure. These pins are thinner than the three you may know from an XLR cable, and create a peculiar shape to join the other outs on the back of <a href=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/best-audio-interfaces\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">your audio interface<\/a> or rack gear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The good news is that you might not need to purchase these cables, as much gear today will also allow for USB connectivity. While you may need to pick up a port for additional USB imports on your computer, you generally won\u2019t need to pick up any extra adapters or accessories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"MPE\">MPE: The future of MIDI for musicians<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to the updates that came with MIDI 2.0, the most significant innovation in this sphere is MIDI Polyphonic Expression, or <strong>MPE.<\/strong> A dense name, but an accurate one\u2014instruments utilizing this are able to expand beyond monophonic playing; you hear the note you play, and only small dynamic differences are possible, like with a piano key. The format is meant to translate the highly expressive nature of acoustic instruments to MIDI, which, again, is completely digital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We could fill an entire blog post with this, but for now, one of the key pioneers of MPE has put together <a href=\"https:\/\/roli.com\/mpe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a helpful history<\/a> for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Downloads\">Free MIDI downloads<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019d like to get started with a range of different MIDI patterns, below are three MIDI patterns generated by <a href=\"https:\/\/tools.splice.com\/beatmaker\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Beatmaker,<\/a> a powerful plugin available in <a href=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/plans\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the Splice Creator plan.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are three drum patterns, generated at random by Beatmaker and tweaked to preference:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Jc_lh_100_lofi_dazed_kit-1699570158914.wav\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Sns_td_88_rusty_kit-1699570084755.wav\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Ts_amm_120_animal_kit-1699570186580.wav\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/What-is-MIDI.zip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">You can download all of the MIDI files for free here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-61f7a062672eb149f00e7dafc1a02e32\" style=\"background-color:#62daff\"><strong>Want more free stuff? <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/instrument\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Download Splice INSTRUMENT<\/strong><\/a><strong> and start creating immediately with its extensive catalogue of world-class and human-made presets\u2014plus regular Free Drops to keep your inspiration flowing.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, remember when we said MIDI&#8217;s sound all depends on the virtual instrument selected? Let&#8217;s put that to the test, pushing that last drum pattern through a synth patch in <a href=\"https:\/\/tools.splice.com\/astra\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Astra:<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Example-of-drum-pattern-with-a-Synth.wav\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Sounds nice for a vintage <em>Mario<\/em> game when Bowser enters the room, but perhaps not so much for your music. While this is an example to show how MIDI may not always translate effectively between instruments, it can work the other way as well!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A great trick to keep up your sleeve is to continuously write MIDI patterns that you like. Write chord progressions, arpeggios, or melodies\u2014whatever speaks to you\u2014and save them somewhere. When you&#8217;re feeling stuck in a piece, scrolling through old MIDI patterns and hearing them imagined in new keys, tempos, and instrumentations can go a long way in keeping your creativity flowing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more free MIDI files and compositional techniques, be sure to also <a href=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/category\/free\/free-midi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">check out these articles.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Explore Splice INSTRUMENT, our virtual instrument plugin that puts an ever-growing catalog of free and premium sounds at your fingertips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button aligncenter\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/instrument\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Download for free<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn about what MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is, its unique history, and how to use it as a powerful tool for making music.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":126,"featured_media":30101,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1852,1850,1886,1889,1696,1702],"tags":[1721,1240,1386,641,1756,1473],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What is MIDI in Music (And How Do You Use It)? 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