Page 38 - DCAP303_MULTIMEDIA_SYSTEMS

Multimedia Systems

notes Since MIDI records each note digitally, editing a track of MIDI music is much easier and more
accurate than editing a track of audio. Also, MIDI files are basically text documents, so they take
up very little disk space. The only catch is that you need MIDI-compatible hardware or software
to record and playback MIDI files.
Creating your own original score can be one of the most creative and rewarding aspects of building
a multimedia project, and MIDI is the quickest, easiest and most flexible tool for this task.

The process of creating MIDI music is quite different from digitizing existing audio. To make
MIDI scores, however you will need sequencer software and a sound synthesizer.

The MIDI keyboard is also useful to simplify the creation of musical scores. An advantage of
structured data such as MIDI is the ease with which the music director can edit the data.
A MIDI file format is used in the following circumstances:

• Digital audio will not work due to memory constraints and more processing power
requirements.

• When there is high quality of MIDI source.
• When there is no requirement for dialogue.
A digital audio file format is preferred in the following circumstances:

• When there is no control over the playback hardware.
• When the computing resources and the bandwidth requirements are high.
• When dialogue is required.

The MIDI does not transmit an audio signal or media—it transmits digital data “event messages”
such as the pitch and intensity of musical notes to play, control signals for parameters such as
volume, vibrato and panning, cues, and clock signals to set the tempo. As an electronic protocol,
it is notable for its widespread adoption throughout the industry, and for continuing in use since
its introduction in 1983.
The MIDI files allow music and sound synthesizers from different
manufacturers to communicate with each other by sending messages along
cables connected to the devices.

self assessment

Choose the correct answer:
1. To make MIDI scores, you will need sequencer software and a ……………
( a) image synthesizer (b) video synthesizer

( c) sound synthesizer (d) None of these
2. A MIDI file format is used when dialogue is required.

( a) True (b) False
3. The MIDI stands for ………………………………….
( a) Musical Instrument Digital Interface
( b) Musician Instrument Digital Interface

( c) Memory Instrument Digital Interface
( d) None of these

32 LoveLy professionaL University