Chapter 14 Controlling The Js-5 With Midi; What Is Midi; Midi Connectors; Midi Channels - Boss JamStation JS-5 Owner's Manual

Chapter 14 Controlling the JS-5 with MIDI

What Is MIDI?

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a standard
that provides for the exchange of performance and other
information among electronic instruments and computers.
Data can be sent and received by devices equipped with
MIDI connectors when such devices are connected by MIDI
cables.

MIDI Connectors

The JS-5 is equipped with MIDI IN and MIDI OUT
connectors.
fig.RE14-01
MIDI IN
Data arriving from a connected external MIDI device is
received here. It should be connected with the external MIDI
device's MIDI OUT connector.
MIDI OUT
This sends out data from the JS-5. It should be connected
with the MIDI IN connector of the external MIDI device.

MIDI Channels

MIDI uses channels, called MIDI channels (1 through 16),
that resemble television channels. Information can be
exchanged only when the sending and receiving devices are
on the same channel.
fig.RE14-02
T.V. information from many different broadcasting station is
sent through an antena.
Broadcasting
Station A
Broadcasting
Station B
Broadcasting
Station C
When the MIDI channels have been set as shown below,
fingering the keyboard causes sound to play on sound
generator B.
Select the channel of the
broadcasting station you
wish to watch
fig.RE14-03
Receive Channel: 2
Sound
Module A
Receive Channel: 1
Sound
Module B
MIDI
OUT Transmit Channel: 1
MIDI Channels on the JS-5
On the JS-5, channels are set for each part (Drum, Bass, Inst 1,
and Inst 2).
Drum: 10
Bass: 2
3
Inst 1:
Inst 2: 4
Audio Track: 5 (Volume message only)
MIDI Information Handled by the
JS-5
With MIDI, various kinds of performance-related
information are transmitted, so there is accordingly a variety
of different types of data (messages). MIDI information is
divided into that which is handled at the channel level
(Channel Messages), and that which is not related to
channels (System Messages).
Information Handled by Each MIDI
Channel (Channel Messages)
These are messages for transmitting information about
operations during performances.
Note Messages
These correspond to the key performance data from the
keyboard. The different Note Messages are shown below.
Note Number: Key position (pitch)
Note On: Key pressed
Note Off: Key released
Velocity: Velocity of keypress
Drum Part
A Note Number is assigned to each of the rhythm
instruments that make up the Drum Kit. This allows each of
the rhythm instruments of the Drum Kit to play different
sounds as their corresponding Note Numbers are sent.
MIDI IN
MIDI THRU
MIDI IN
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