MIDI devices such as MIDI Keyboard Controllers are probably the most common way to produce music from your PC. These popular devices come in a wide range of prices and complexity allowing an easy entry into music production digitally without having to go out and purchase a vast range of instruments. As technology has advanced MIDI devices have become more widely used by both professional composers and enthusiasts alike.
So how do they work?
Always remember that the device itself is not a musical instrument and as such does not create any sounds by itself. Not that we can understand anyway. They simply communicate with a piece of software on your computer known as a digital sequencer. This then translates what is coming from the MIDI device note, tone, length of note etc… . And outputs what is hopefully music. This can then be edited further to refine you new track.
Digital sequencers have now pretty much done away with the old and very large sequencers. Good modern digital sequencers hold a vast amount of sound files taken from a massive range of musical instruments not just the common ones but also many of the more unusual instruments.
Nowadays sequencers are very simple and not that expensive. They work simply by taking the signal from your midi device translating that signal into the sounds from its database of the instrument that you have chosen.
Due to the power of modern software it is now possible to have many MIDI Controllers connected to one PC and use only one sequencer program. Giving you far greater flexibility in the way that you compose your music and achieving far more in a shorter amount of time.
Of course having the best quality MIDI controller and digital sequencer is not going to get fantastic results if you are running a older computer. Many times older PC’s don’t have a very good sound card without which your compositions will not sound that great. Let alone the resources that modern MIDI devices use and the way that the sequencers work will soon have your old PC struggling. It is necessary to ensure that your PC meets the requirements that your chosen device and software need before purchasing. If necessary a PC upgrade maybe needed to get the most from your MIDI system. If this is the case then don’t go for the minimum requirements as these really are what it says “minimum” to get the most from your new MIDI you may need a bit more power.
Modern MIDI controllers and sequencers are really simple to use once you have the basic understanding of how your chosen items work. They are simple to connect and set up is a breeze nowadays. With good MIDI devices now within easy grasp of the average person the music industry is really opening up as access to the right tools is so easy.
