MIDI Power!: The Comprehensive Guide

Although a variety of MIDI gear has been replaced by software, in-depth information about MIDI is as useful as ever. A full two decades after its inception, most musicians working in the electronic realm only have a cursory knowledge of what this technology is capable of and how to fully take advantage of it within the modern recording studio. Fortunately, the second edition of MIDI Power is designed to clear up much of this mystery. The first few chapters address MIDI hardware, General MIDI, and Standard MIDI Files, followed by almost 60 pages devoted to MIDI messages. Two chapters on MIDI computer basics lead to discussions of sequencing, virtual instruments, and advanced topics. The author guides users through various real-world scenarios on how to incorporate MIDI's myriad functions into the average studio situation, including topics such as SysEx data, General MIDI, the use of USB and FireWire MIDI devices, and how to interface computers and external hardware. The book's appendices are gold mines of information, incorporating technical explanations, practical tips, and the official MIDI 1.0 Specification. Each chapter ends with review problems for which there are answers in the back of the book. The book is profusely illustrated and is a worthwhile update to the valuable but aged first edition. I highly recommend it. Amazon does not show the table of contents, so I do that here:1. The Basics - Covers the history and definition of MIDI.2. Basic MIDI Messages - Looks at the information contained in a MIDI message and its syntax.3. Control Change Messages - Looks at a specific type of MIDI message, the Control Changes, and how to use this type of message to control a performance.4. General MIDI and Standard MIDI Files - Addresses compatibility when sharing MIDI files with others. Discusses the General MIDI file format and extensions made to it.5. MIDI Hardware Devices - From sound modules to MIDI patch bays, looks at a wide range of MIDI-supporting audio devices.6. MIDI and the Computer MIDI Interfaces - What you need to start using your computer with external MIDI devices.7. MIDI Inside Your Computer - How to get your computer working properly with MIDI and audio applications as well as MIDI/audio related peripherals.8. Sequencing with MIDI - Looks at the most popular type of MIDI application inside your computer and covers its configuration, the recording process, and editing environment.9. MIDI Software: A Sound Creation Environment - Looks at the world of software instruments.10. MIDI Software Applications - An overview of the different ways that programmers have used their skills to make MIDI very versatile. Also looks at creating MIDI-enabled web pages.11. Deeper into MIDI: System Exclusive and Synchronization - Along with SysEx, examines how you can synchronize different devices, software, and video using MIDI's synchronization options.12. The Standard MIDI File Format - This completes chapter four's introduction to the SMF by looking at the construction of a MIDI file, its parameters, and the values within those parameters. Here you learn how to repair a corrupted MIDI file.AppendicesA. Understanding Binary, Decimal, and HexidecimalB. MIDI 1.0 SpecificationC. Understanding Timing ConceptsD. The MIDI Troubleshooting ChecklistE. Midi Arrangements: Tips & TricksF. Review Questions: Answers

Title says comprehensive, and that it is. The author does a great job explaining Midi and related tech to the reader. A lot of mystery on my part was solved from this book. It does not go into "all" of the finest details that you would find in the standards\governing body's documents, but is jammed packed with quality material and the fine details when appropriate. No filler as I normally find from large tech publishers. Midi hasn't changed much over the years or since the book was published, so it's still highly relevant to today's usage. I need to mention the publisher, Course Technology. I've read a few of their other books and have been extremely impressed with the quality (as I am with this Midi book). If I were an instructor, I would be using this publisher's works. Highly recommend for anyone engaged in Midi usage.

This is a great source of just about everything in the science of MIDI. It is written at a fairly high level, not for the "uninitiated". It doesn't have everything, though. I was interested in learning about learn-modes in various DAWs and the mappings involved but it doesn't cover that. But keep in mind that there are books that just deal with the use of DAWs. This book concentrates mostly just on MIDI itself. Toward the end of this book, there are some great suggestions on improving the quality of sound in music created using MIDI and DAWs which I found very helpful. MIDI is a very technical subject and this book helps demystify it.

Was disappointed to learn it was a textbook, rather than a reference book. It's good for what it is, and contains a lot of helpful information for people who want to dive deep into MIDI. But unfortunately, like many textbooks, it sacrifices specific and practical information to teach general concepts. It is very broad in scope, covering pretty much every part and application of the MIDI standard, is probably too broad for most beginners [e.g., people who will never need to care what a NRPN is] while being too shallow for most power users and engineers.

Every nook and cranny of how to write and interpret MIDI messages, for the app developer. Great stuff! Purports to be a college course, but I don't think it is. If it is, then everyone will get an A. Very easy to understand, with great organization and artwork. Highly recommended for computer developers who are interested in that sort of stuff.

The detail is clearly put before you. The subjectis fully covered, and the author doesn't loose youon your way . It's laid out for you, all you have to do is grabhold of it and go. This book will able you to use this vastpower of midi in all you projects to the fullest. Go on,get a copy; your music will thank you, and you'll thankyourself.

A pretty good primer on MIDI basics and how it operates. Some info on programming sequencers and such but no info on how to use programming languages to control or automate MIDI.

Still have this book i use this book as a teaching tool. I used this book during my course of study and it was very detailed in all things midi.

Very good and comprehensive description of MIDI

Whoa Nelly!