How to Record MIDI

MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. Musicians use this as a communication protocol for electronic instruments.

Most digital keyboard instruments are MIDI supportable. Audio recording and MIDI recording differs, as MIDI only messages and notify the PC about which keys has been pressed in your keyboard. But it doesn't send actual sounds. Then only the music-making software interprets this data into actual sounds. (Visit How to Use Apps for Music for further guidance) 

• Why MIDI Recording?
  
  
  
  • MIDI Files are editable
    You can edit your entire MIDI file by using MIDI recording. But, the professionals use this to tweak small errors in their play.
    
    
  • MIDI Files are smaller in size
    Unlike the MP3 format you are used to, MIDI files are thousand times smaller. It is not about saving PC space. MIDI files are easier to transfer and backup. It comes up with so many mini-midi-advantages.
    
    
  • Quality is Saved
    I'm sure that you've had so many hardships on recording audio. No matter how good you record, it ends up being useless, because the volume and the quality get decreased meanwhile. But MIDI is directly connected to your PC. So that neither the quality nor the volume get damaged.
    
    
• 3 ways to MIDI Recording
  
  
  
  • Sequencer
    Most of the keyboards have a record function. If your instrument is memory-stick-supportable, you can simply record your performance on the instrument itself. After that you can connect the memory stick to your PC to get the recording and develop it further.
     
  • Special Sequencer
    You can connect a separate device called special sequencer if you are not having the sequencer by default. Switch the other end of the MIDI cable for your PC. Many musicians are used to this because it assists for real-time notes playback editing.
     
  • Connecting to the ComputerPossibly, all the digital pianos and keyboards have their MIDI ports sunk into them. You'll find MIDI IN, MIDI OUT or even MIDI THRU ports which are located at the back side of your instrument.
    
    In order to connect your instrument to the PC, you'll either need,
    
    • A direct cable line
    • MIDI-to-USB interface 
    • Game port interface
  
  
• A direct cable line
  
  
  
  Modern keyboard can be directly connected to a computer via a USB data cable. Because, they have the USB port themselves. The USB port in the instrument is called 'to-host' connection.
  
  When buying a data cable, pay attention to the type of cable. Because USB cables come in two types
  1. A/A (same connectors at each point)
  2. A/B ( fat and thin connectors)
  
  
• MIDI-to-USB Interface
  
  Luckily or unluckily if you are having only this interface:
  
  
  You don't have to bother at all. All you need is a MIDI-to-USB interface. It is also a data cable, which consists of two or more MIDI connectors on one point and a USB connector on the other.
  
  
  
  P.S. :
  Procedure to connect>
  • Put the MIDI IN cable to MIDI OUT socket
  • Put the MIDI OUT cable to MIDI IN socket
    (If you connect IN-IN and OUT-OUT, nothing will happen)
  
  
• Game Port Interface (Joystick)
  
  
  
  This is found on old computers. So, if you are the one who's still having that old personal computer, MIDI recording is possible for you too. You do have to have a special cable with a game port connector on one point and a MIDI connector on the other.
  
  
  
  Once you've got your cables connected, Approach to experience MIDI Recording!

How to Use Apps for Music

Music software is what keeps the Music production running. Music software industry has done major impacts on music education system as well. It has given new hope to present day musicians and beginners. With the help of apps the making of music is no more a tragedy. Various varieties of music apps have planted new ideas to compose and perform music in ways that never been seen before.

Let's check out the Prime fascinating Music Apps available in the cyber market.

• Sibelius First
  
  
  
  This is a version of the so-called top notch music notation software, Sibelius 7. This software offers all the features you need to make professional-quality music. It has the most easy-to-use features that you can never imagine of. (Eg:- The copy & paste functions, editing features .etc)
  
  
• Finale Printmusic
  
  
  
  If you are searching for a high-quality, elegant notation product for your next album, trust me, Finale will do miracles for you.
  • Real time MIDI keyboard input
  • Creating guitar chord diagram
  • Manual step time entry
  You can even transcribe your indtrumental music via a microphone with the help of the application, MicNotator.
  
   
•  MagicScore Maestro
  
  
  If you prefer more advanced facilities for editing your music data, as the name says, MagicScore will high score your music make with its magic.
  It offers several features that make you experience the magic in music.
  • Virtual Piano
  • Virtual six/seven-string guitars
  • Real-time notes play-back editor 
  
  
• Forte Notation
  
  
  
  This software comes in 3 versions:
  • Forte Premium - Advanced Composers
  • Forte Home - Experienced Users
  • Forte Basic - Intermediate and Beginners
  
  The interface makes it pleasant to work with. You will be able to convert the formats of music files as you prefer. It even offers tutorial guides for you to add experience for your music career. The Music Palette feature makes it very easy to edit notes, lyrics, dynamics, chords and all the stuff you need.
  
  
• QuickScore Elite
  
  
  
  This can be taken as a full-recording-studio package. Not only that, it also lets you make professional quality sheet music. QuickScore might be your one-stop-studio because its easy-to-use interface contains all of the tools you need to blow brilliance into your master piece.
  
  The available tutorials do a great job to beginners and believe it or not, in no time you will be making music too.
  Few features makes QuickScore Elite unique
  • Score editor
  • Split track
  • Mixer
  • Audio Editor and so on.
  
  But, one disadvantage of this software is that it doesn't notate input at real-time. The program will wait until the recording is complete and then only will display the notations.
  
  
• Music Time Deluxe
  
  
  If you are a beginner or a hobbyist this software will make great sense to you. You will surely be delighted with the easy-to-use interface. You can write, or arrange music for bands, piano, vocals, choirs and so on. You'd be impressed by the editing, performance and printing features that are made available for you. Discover yourself and enjoy music!
  
  
• Notation Composer
  
  
  
  This software has all the standards of notation tools, general and extended features that can really assist you with the music-making process. Importing songs, editing and customizing them are made easy for you to make you interested.
  
  Getting into the right track will be bit difficult when talking about Notation Composer. You'll have to try tutorials and user guides and no doubt that you'll be amazed by how easy it is to create a brilliant piece of music.