The Cutting Edge Of Music Technology  Did U Know? Check These Out To Better Understand Sequencers and MIDI MIDI - (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is the computer language that is transmitted between computers and MIDI instruments. This computer code can be recorded and manipulated in a computer sequencer. It is like a word processor in your computer. If you typed in: "How are you tpzday?" You can easily see the mistakes. You would go back, delete the wrong letters, and put in the correct information. It is the same with music, if you make a mistake in your playing, go back delete it, and insert the correct notes! Think of it. Always perfect music! The computer can record multiple instruments, and play them back at the same time! Virtually unlimited. You are limited to the number of synthesizers or MIDI instruments that you own. You can even think of MIDI as an invisible player piano. The keys go down and are dependent upon the holes in the piano roll. In MIDI, the computer information is like the holes of the piano roll, but the keys on the synthesizer don't move.
				The Yamaha QY300 Sequencer Sequencers - This is computer software that records the computer information from MIDI instruments and MIDI controllers transmit. Quite literally, the computer information that makes up the music is put into order or sequenced. From this software a huge variety of editing functions exist. One could make sections of the music louder or softer, shorter or longer, faster or slower, simply by changing the computer information with a click of the mouse! Today's sequencers have become very powerful tools for creating music. Some sequencers also allow for the music to be printed out on music staffs. One can time-lock the computer to movies or videos, inserting music or special effects by using SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture Television Engineers). One could also record any sound into the computer, if the sequencer allows hard disk digital audio recording. Finally, one could create the "digital master" that compact discs are made from in the computer. An important point to remember: MIDI is computer information to play synthesizers/samplers or drum machines. Digital Audio is the process of taking any sound and changing that sound wave into numbers; like a compact digital disc. Humanize - This is another feature of sequencers. One can totally time correct the music so that it is in perfect time. This sounds very mechanical and is sometimes used in Techno Music and some Dance Music. Often times, you want to retain the musical feel, but tighten up the time. You can do this by humanizing the music, you can make many time adjustments until you like how tight or loose the music is to the beat. Groove/Swing - This section of the sequencer allows you to re-groove or swing the beat. Let's say that you have a simple four beat song, but you want it to sound like a hip hop or shuffle beat. One click of the mouse, and your music is instantly changed. Sometimes composers leave the verse of a song in a simple four beat, then at the chorus, activate the hip hop or shuffle beat.
				The Roland A-90 MIDI Controller MIDI Controllers - Currently there are MIDI Guitars, MIDI Basses, MIDI Keyboards, MIDI Drums, MIDI Samplers, MIDI Saxophones, MIDI Violins and MIDI Trumpet. You can even hook up a microphone to a computer and then use any sound source like the voice or flute etc. These controllers send out computer information through a MIDI cable that can be recorded into a computer. These controllers could also play synthesizers/samplers drum machines. Could you imagine a guitar player controlling a huge 50 piece string group coming out of a synthesizer? Or a violin playing a heavy distorted rock guitar? It is amazing, and endless in its combinations.
			EMAGIC - UNITOR MK II MIDI SMPTE INTERFACE SMPTE - (Society of Motion Picture Television Engineers) is timecode to lock a computer to a movie or video. This allows the user to insert sound effects or music at very precise points in movies or videos. The operator could insert the sound effect on any frame or picture. You must have an additional piece of equipment (like the one above) hooked up to your computer to use this feature!
Mr. Droste teaches the following courses at Waubonsee College in Sugar Grove, Illinois. 012MU228 Introduction to the Recording/MIDI Studio 3.0 Hours A course designed as an introduction to the tools and techniques used in analog and digital sound production and recording. Topics include sound synthesis, audio signal processing, microphone and audiotape techniques, and the Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) standard. Students have access to the recording studio for assigned projects. 012MU130 Applied: Composition/Arranging 1.0 Hour APPLIED MUSIC: 30-Minute Lessons Private instruction in the student's performance area individually designed for each student's need. Thirty-minute lesson per week for eight contact hours per semester. Student concentrates on technique and repertory commensurate with student's current ability. Repeatable to a maximum of four semester hours. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor Mr. Droste also teaches the trumpet and has an extensive website (TrumpetStudio.com) for all levels of trumpet players. Included in this site are equipment ideas, mouthpieces selection tips, MIDI files, method book and recording lists along with helpful articles on the art of trumpet playing. Mr. Droste was a participant in the Fermilab LInC program sponsored by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Friends of Fermilab and the Illinois State Board of Education. Michael Droste Email: DrGruv1@aol.com