Alesis DG8 Manual Do Utilizador
Chapter 3: MIDI Functions
DG8 R
EFERENCE
M
ANUAL
53
C
HAPTER
3
MIDI F
UNCTIONS
MIDI B
ASICS
Before we delve into the specific MIDI functions of the DG8, we’d like to provide a
brief background on MIDI for those who may not be familiar with this technology.
brief background on MIDI for those who may not be familiar with this technology.
MIDI (pronounced “MID-ee”) is the acronym for Musical Instrument Digital
I
I
nterface. It was developed and adopted by electronic musical instrument
manufacturers in the early 1980s as a common system of connecting electronic
musical instruments and devices so that they could share music data as well as other
digital information.
musical instruments and devices so that they could share music data as well as other
digital information.
Just about any device that has a microprocessor (synthesizers, samplers, sequencers
and drum machines, analog and digital recorders and mixers, effects devices and
computers) can share music data (notes and chords) and various digital information
such as pitch bend and vibrato, sustain and volume pedal, keyboard velocity,
pressure and aftertouch, patch change commands, timing data (called “MIDI Clock”)
and a wide variety other types of data.
and drum machines, analog and digital recorders and mixers, effects devices and
computers) can share music data (notes and chords) and various digital information
such as pitch bend and vibrato, sustain and volume pedal, keyboard velocity,
pressure and aftertouch, patch change commands, timing data (called “MIDI Clock”)
and a wide variety other types of data.
Thus, virtually any musical expression that is generated by an electronic musical
device could be shared in a system of MIDI devices. But we are not limited to
musical applications alone. With the addition of MIDI Time Code for example, the
ability to interface a music system with video production was realized. There are
even stage lighting systems that use MIDI for programming light control and data
storage.
device could be shared in a system of MIDI devices. But we are not limited to
musical applications alone. With the addition of MIDI Time Code for example, the
ability to interface a music system with video production was realized. There are
even stage lighting systems that use MIDI for programming light control and data
storage.
A document called the MIDI Specification describes all possible MIDI functions and
how they should work. Manufacturers use this spec when designing products so that
a fairly high level of compatibility among different brands can be reasonably
expected.
how they should work. Manufacturers use this spec when designing products so that
a fairly high level of compatibility among different brands can be reasonably
expected.
Generally, a manufacturer will also include a MIDI Implementation chart with each
product so that you can know how MIDI was designed into that particular model.
This is usually helpful to know because not every MIDI function needs to be
included in every musical product. For example, certain MIDI functions that are
unique to keyboard instruments are unnecessary on, say, digital effects devices.
Manufacturers have the option of including whatever MIDI functions are
appropriate to the product. You can find the MIDI Implementation chart for the DG8
on page 67.
product so that you can know how MIDI was designed into that particular model.
This is usually helpful to know because not every MIDI function needs to be
included in every musical product. For example, certain MIDI functions that are
unique to keyboard instruments are unnecessary on, say, digital effects devices.
Manufacturers have the option of including whatever MIDI functions are
appropriate to the product. You can find the MIDI Implementation chart for the DG8
on page 67.