How MIDI Works

by Peter Lawrence Alexander

Book Overview

The revised 6th edition of this easy-to-use book is written in simple English and assumes no prior background with MIDI. Starting with the computer, How MIDI Works takes readers all the way through MIDI, sequencing and digital audio recording, and features chapter summary questions to ensure understanding. Topics covered include: the computer language of MIDI, controllers for keyboard operations, the mixing board within, hard disk audio recording,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0634020838
• ISBN13: 9780634020834
• Release Date: July 2001
• Publisher: Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 2.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 8.6" x 11.0"

Customer Reviews

Good for learning MIDI 'under the hood'

Anyone can use midi to record music nowadays but this book goes into many technical details about how midi works. If you were setting up your own home recording studio - with no experience - this book would be essential. It is full of diagrams; not always strictly how-to, but gives you enough information to know how the hardware works/connects together and how the majority of common features in software function with MIDI. My only gripe with this book is that it has not been updated and probably never will be. The information regarding computer specs and software is severely outdated. If you need to learn how to connect and configure MIDI equipment, and start playing with it - this book will get you started.

Easy to read and understand

I am so excited that I found a music book that could help me with all the midi stuff. I needed somthing and this book is it. I gives you list and pictures of equipment that you could buy to make systems that work. It explains all the reasons for each piece of hardware and what their use is in the computer. For me it shows me how to buy the correct type and how much computer hardware. This book really has been great!

I can record all my music on my computer now!!!

I cant believe how many years I have been trying to get my computer to work. I have been wanting to write music on my pc for so long. I ran into so many problems because I did not know what kind of equipment would work together or what equipment would not work at all together. This book weeds through all the problems that I had to deal with that. I picked up the book and brought it home and hooked up all my midi gear and recording gear and I got it all figured out. I am building a new PC and I know exactly what kind of equipment I need to get because the book layed out everything in plain english. I will tell anyone who wants a sweet midi setup to buy this book. Kudos To the author. This is the only midi book you will need to get from start to finish.

Practical, opinionated, well argued

My perspective when reading this book was someone who has played piano for decades, and just now wanted to get into sequencing, etc. What I wanted was a practical guide into this new world that was both approachable but went well beyond just the basics of what makes up a MIDI home studio that I could easily find on the web. This book is exactly that. In addition, the author obviously has ample hands on experience and as a result is very opinionated on the subject. Because he explains his opinions and lets you in on his thought processes behind it, the strong opinions and willingness to discuss specifics (including brands for hardware and software) is one of the most valuable elements of the book. As one (negative) reviewer mentioned, the book does not really cover the Mac - however, if your digital audio workstation is or will be PC based, you will not be disappointed with this book. I would recommend to anyone who is serious about building a home studio to buy and read this book before beginning.

For all who aspire to create music in the MIDI forum

How MIDI Works by expert Peter Alexander is now in a fully updated and expanded sixth addition. Ably edited and deftly illustrated by Carol J. Whitear, this "user friendly" introduction and guide assumes no prior experience or expertise on the part of the reader. The text is written in straight forward English and covers all aspects of mastering the MIDI including understanding the MIDI workstation, MIDI language of musical performance, computer language of MIDI, control changes, controllers for keyboard operations, the mixing board, recording features, sequencing, hard disk audio recording, the computer as the hub of a MIDI studio, sequences and recording MIDI and digital audio. A complete course in MIDI technology and operation, How MIDI Works is a essential reading for all who aspire to create music in this particular forum and would be a core acquisition for professional and music school reference collections.