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MIDI OUT
MIDEIN
= =MIDIETHRU
Sound Module A
Receiving channel:2
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Transmitting channel:1
Sound Module B
MIDI IN,
Receiving channel:1
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Main Types of MIDI Messages
There are a variety of different kinds of MIDI messages, and each has information
about a particular kind of MID! performance nuance.
MIDI messages are broadly
divided into Channel Messages (those that have information specific to a channel),
and System Messages (information that applies to the system as a whole).
Channel Messages
The MIDI messages that transmit the actual performance data are Channel Mes-
sages, and these are the ones that do most of the actual work of controlling the
instrument.
Since there are so many different kinds of MIDI instruments, what ex-
actly is controlled by MIDI messages depends on the design of the individual instru-
ment.
Note Messages
These contain information about keyboard performances.
Pitch Bend Messages
These transmit data about how the Bender/Modulation lever (EM-305) or Pitch Up/
Down switch (EM-303) has been manipulated.
Program Change Messages
These transmit tone switching commands.
Control Change Messages
These transmit data about performance-enhancing features.
On the EM-305/303,
this includes vibrato added using the Bender/Modulation lever (EM-305), manipula-
tion of the Modulation switch (EM-303), and pedal operations.
System Messages
System Messages include SysEx (System Exclusive) messages and messages needed
for timing, synchronization, and troubleshooting. These messages affect the system
as a whole and are not broken up into specific channels.
Realtime Messages
These messages are sent to synchronize the opezation of several MIDI instruments,
such as for starting or stopping a performance.
System Exclusive Messages
SysEx messages are used for controlling special features of a particular MIDI device.
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MIDI Implementation Chart
MIDI allows many different musical instruments and devices to exchange data. It is not neces-
—- MIDI device A
MIDI device B
sarily the case, however, that all MIDI messages can be received by all MID! devices.
For
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example, you may set up your keyboard to send Aftertouch messages, but if the sound module
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you have connected doesn't respond to Aftertouch, you will not hear the effect you're looking
In general, you can swap SysEx data with the same model.
for when you press harder on the keys. The only way two devices can exchange a given MIDI
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message is if that function is available on both instruments.
Each instrument has, in it's owner's manual, a MIDI Implementation Chart that will help you
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determine at a glance what features will be compatible with other instruments (pages 44 and
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45). The dimensions of these charts are standardized, so you can fold them as shown and
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i physically match them to see if the MIDI messages of one device will be received by the other.
SS
35
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