Input Devices : MIDI

The Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) system allows a musical instrument to communicate with a computer system. The musical instrument acts as an input device to the system. As it is played computer software records information about the duration, pitch and volume of each note.

Music input into a computer by a MIDI instrument can be saved or edited by the user. It can also be printed out as a musical score. The computer can play the recorded piece of music either through its own speakers or through a MIDI instrument that is being used as an output device.

Sophisticated MIDI software can receive inputs from up to sixteen musical instruments at once and can play music back on many instruments simultaneously. The various instruments can all be sequenced together so that they play back in time with each other.

GCSE ICT Companion 04 - (C) P Meakin 2004