MIDI News and Resources
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Discussion Forums
Whether you are a beginner looking for some help and advice, or an expert looking to share your knowledge, the Harmony Central User Forums are the place to be. Join the world's largest musician community and talk about gear, artists, technique, funny stories, and anything else MIDI related.
If your interests go beyond the world of MIDI and electronics, then jump right in and view all active forums.
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MIDI Documentation
Some introductory articles to help you understand MIDI, sources and excerpts from the MIDI specification, some specific resources for the Macintosh, and a wind controller FAQ.
Browse MIDI Documentation »
Making a MIDI Interface
Some schematics and written plans for building a MIDI interface for the Mac, PC (including an interface for the SoundBlaster), and some other plans that can be used with the Amiga, Linux, and a Sun Sparc10.
Browse Making a MIDI Interface »
Product Review Databases
These databases are intended to be used as a reference when you are shopping around for new gear. It relies on people like you to share your comments, complaints, or praise. This is your chance to tell people how cool something is, what to stay away from, or just what you think people need to consider before buying.
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MIDI Software Development Tools
Some packages that may help you writing your own MIDI programs. Resources for Atari, Mac, Visual Basic, OS/2, and some generic code packages for manipulating MIDI files.
Browse MIDI Software Development Tools »
Other MIDI Hardware Projects
- www.uCApps.de
DIY MIDI hardware projects.
- DIY MIDI Controllers using PIC Microcontrollers and Basic Stamps
Some good information for building your own MIDI controllers.
- MIDI Hardware Kits
Sells kits for building a variety of MIDI devices.
- Mike's PIC Microcontroller Based MIDI Kick Pedal
Instructions and a schematic for a basic MIDI kick pedal or other trigger.
- Derek's MIDI Pic Page
A little tutorial on using the Pic processor for MIDI projects, plus some sample project details.
- DIY MIDI Loop Sequencer
Build a MIDI loop sequencer out of practically any old IBM PC.
- Organ Pedal DIY Project
Plans for building a MIDI compatible organ pedals.
- MaxMidi DIY Projects
Several projects including a serial port MIDI interface, MIDI metronome, a controller footpedal, and more.
- midi-cable.txt (5K)
Some of the details to make sure you follow when building your own MIDI cables.
- midi-patchbay.zip (33K)
Contains postscript schematics for a simple MIDI patchbay that allows MIDI mixing and MIDI thru. By David Haubensack.
- Knob Box DIY Project
Plans for building a 15-knob MIDI controller, very useful with some software synths.
- Re-Turn
Plans on how to build a programmable MIDI controller and software to go with it.
- Wave-Idea
Plans for building your own MIDI controller to use with Roland's MC-303 and Propellerhead's ReBirth, a MIDI-to-Sync converter, parametric audio filter, and MIDI thru box, which can be purchased assembled.
- PC Technical Reference
Contains some technical diagrams for MIDI ports and cables.
- Hardware Web (R) Midi page
Besides plans for interfaces, this site has plans for a MIDI cable/interface tester and some other goodies.
- Midwest Analog Products
Instructions, components, and kits for building electronic music instruments.
- Zorin Microcontroller Products
Sells kits for building MIDI triggers and controllers.
Keyboard and Synth Resources
This link takes you to the Keyboard and Synths page at Harmony Central. It will lead you to sites where you may find patches for your synth, some other synth related sites including manufacturers, plus some mailing lists and pages dedicated to particular models.
Browse Keyboard and Synth Resources »
Sources of MIDI Files
You can find a huge number of MIDI files on the 'net, although the quality mary vary greatly. Here's a list of some sites that should give you a good start.
Browse Sources of MIDI Files »
MIDI Software
On the software pages, you will find demo versions of popoular sequencers and notation software, MIDI utility programs, and patch editors. Click on your platform.
Newsgroups and Searchable Archives
Here's a listing of some newsgroups of interest to MIDI users:
You can search these newsgroups via Deja News.
Classified Ads
The Harmony Central Classified Ads provide an area to buy and sell used equipment. You can Post a Classified Ad (for free, of course) if you have something to sell, and use the form below to look at the ads currently available. You can also Search the Classified Ads or Edit or Delete Your Ad.
If you are buying (or selling) an item, and want to protect yourself from getting ripped off, you may want to look into escrow companies like Safe Buyer and escrow.ca to see what they have to offer. If you're looking for more places with classifieds, (for buying/selling gear and finding other musicians), there's a listing available on the Services page.
Software/Hardware Manufacturers
Links to companies that make a variety of programs, MIDI interfaces or other MIDI devices, such as Opcode, MOTU, Steinberg, and many more.
Browse Software/Hardware Manufacturers »
Retailers
A listing of retail establishments on the 'net. Some have on-line ordering, and others list weekly and monthly specials. If you can't find what you're looking for, many of them invite your inquiries.
Browse Retailers »
Putting MIDI on the Web
Putting a MIDI file in your web page is not difficult. You might want to start off by picking your favorite web browser plug-in since the HTML code to use is somewhat dependent on the plug-in (and not necesarialy compatible with the others!). Here are the pages with the technical information for some popular plug-ins:
Other MIDI Sites
- Keyboard Tip of the Day
Daily tips on playing pianos, synths and other keyboard instruments. Daily ezine plus hundreds of archived tips; directory of thousands of related sites.
- DJ Tip of the Day
Daily tips on dj skills and turntablism. Daily ezine plus hundreds of archived tips; directory of thousands of related sites.
- MidiWeb
Has some introductory articles, plus articles covering PC and Amiga MIDI adapters, making a cable, some sample code for working with an MPU-401, and a selection of MIDI files.
- Audio and MIDI Central
Info on MIDI software and hardware, plus links to other sites.
- Armada Electro
Directory of electronic music related links.
- MIDIplugins
A listing of MIDI plug-ins available for Mac or Windows.
- ClefMusic
Offers some advice on MIDI sequencing and audio streaming on the web.
- Songstuff
General musician site with articles related to music technology, recording, and more.
- ZicWeb
Offers a wide variety of software and links for patches, samples, and MIDI file sites.
- MidiChat
A Windows program in development for sending MIDI data and chatting on-line with other people.
- The MIDI Pages
Contains some introductory MIDI information and hardware projects in English/Dutch.
- The Midiots
A site for MIDI composers to share ideas and tips.
- The MIDI Farm Internet
A commercial site with links to MIDI related companies, web chat groups, and some MIDI files.
- MacMusic
A collection of links specifically for audio and MIDI on a Macintosh.
- Mining Co. Guide to MIDI Music
An assortment of MIDI links and music.
- MIDI for the Pilot
Contains a MIDI Monitor program for the Palm Pilot, a schematic for a Palm Pilot MIDI interface, and MIDI programming tips.
- Dancetech
- The Macintosh MIDI User's Internet Guide
Tips and solutions to some common problems.
- The pub/MIDI directory at www.cs.ruu.nl
A huge ftp site with lots of MIDI related files. Check it out if you have some time.
- Twin Cities MIDI
Has a contact list where you can list some info about you and your gear, and find other MIDI users. Has a section about using MIDI on the Macintosh.
- Music Machines
This site has a lot of info on many pieces of MIDI gear, like keyboards and drum machines.
- MacMusic
Music, MIDI, and audio on Macintosh
Other MIDI Resources
- Wind Controller FAQ
- Wind Controller Mailing List
Yahoo! group for users of wind controllers.
- WindList
Information on the mailing list.
- The Linux MIDI-HOWTO
Covers basic aspects of MIDI under Linux from installing ALSA, sequencing software and writing MIDI applications.
- Flamtastic Drumputer
Turn "drummer-ese" words into a MIDI file drum part.
- Alexander Publishing
Books that teach you how to use MIDI, specific synthesizers, popular sequencing programs, recording, and more. Also offers on-line courses.
- Music, MIDI, and Online Copyrights
- Cubase for Windows Users
A user run site for Steinberg's Cubase.gvox-users - A new discussion group for users of the Encore products acquired by G-Vox.
- AnalogX
Contains some articles on working with MIDI, synths, and wiring tips.
- The Zel MIDI Language
A programming language for creating and altering MIDI files.
- Loopwise.com
Collaboration site where you can get exposure and sell your services as a musician.
- GearSearch.com
Instrument manufacturer and retailer links.
- Tomi Engdahl's Electronics Info Page
Links for sites related to audio, music, MIDI electronics, and DSP references.
- Music & Computers
Now out of print.
- MIDI Manufacturers Association (MMA)
The source of the MIDI specifications. Although its services are only for commercial ventures, you can browse some of the MIDI documents.
- Internet Music Shop
Sells sheet music and MIDI files. Based out of the UK.
- CyberEd
UMass Dartmouth offers several classes over the 'Net, including one on MIDI composition techniques.
- PC Publishing
Offers a selection of books on MIDI and sequencing.
- The Complete Jingle Course
- MIDI Files/Software Archives on the Internet
Lots of little pieces of information for MIDI and Synths.
- You can get some MIDI software utility programs from the Software Pages.
- Future Music (or Spanish Site)
UK Magazine for hi-tech music. Subscription info, some reviews of MIDI gear, and interviews.
- The Computer Music bibliography (80K)
Contains a large section of MIDI books.
