About MIDI

MIDI stands for “Musical Instrument Digital Interface,” a worldwide standard that enables electronic instruments and peripherals to share information about performances, sound switching, and other functions. MIDI is a standard that is shared by a wide range of instruments from different manufacturers. For instance, you could use a MIDI controller from company A to play a sound module from company B or send data to a sequencer from company C.

MIDI Messages

Here is a list of some of the different types of MIDI messages.

• “Note On messages” provide information on what

string was played, and its pitch and force.

• “Note Off messages” provide information on when a

string stops vibrating.

• “Bend messages” provide information for changing

the pitch smoothly, such as when bending, vibrato, or

hammering.

• “Bank Select messages” and “Program Change

messages” transmit commands for switching patches.

• “Control Change messages” provide information on

changes in volume and effects.

• “System Exclusive (SysEx) messages” provide

information for exchanging patch data with external

instruments.

Playing a MIDI guitar setup

Playing MIDI guitar opens up unlimited possibilities by providing the ability to play sirings, piano, bass and many other types of sounds on a guitar. Another benefit is the ability to record your performance and have it notate the music as you play. Then you can edit the performance using computer software You can also mix your guitar sound in with the synth pickup to create some awesome sounds and textures.

I have provided some possible MIDI guitar configurations for you. I'll start with the setup that I am currently using.

Roland GI20 GK MIDI Interface with USB MIDI

I own the Roland GI-20 MIDI and find it to be a great device. Any guitar player must realize that playing a guitar synth is very different than playing a guitar. It takes time to get used to but worth the effort given the endless possibilities a guitar synthesizer offers.

NOTE: This does NOT play any sounds, it is a controller. Sounds are played by connecting this device to an external sound module or computer with sampling software (see below).

I run a GK-2a pickup mounted on a 1992 Fender Strat Ultra, into a Roland GI-20, into my computer. The GK-2a is an older model pickup that needed to be glued and drilled to a guitar. Can you say OUCH!!

The new and improved GK-3 pickup does not require any type of modification to your guitar. This option is for someone who wants to keep their existing guitar and install a hexaphonic pickup.

NOTE: For more information and details on any of products below, just click on the image.

I have been using the GI-20 for a few years now and have not had any problems. It helps to get my ideas from the guitar to software so I can edit later on. This works much better than trying to input notes using a keypad or PC keyboard.

NOTE: This does not include any sound, it is only a MIDI controller. In order to play sounds the GI-20 has to be hooked up to a tone generator. You could use a computer soundcard or other external device using MIDI cables. The sound quality is directly related to the what you are using as a tone generator

.

Connection Examples

I use the following setup and record my playing LIVE in Sonar 8.5 Produces Edition software. With this setup, I can record and edit my playing in Sonar in great detail. This opens up many possibilities and produces awesome sounds when mixing the guitar and synth sound. Instead of playing a MIDI sound module as shown below, I use sampled sounds on my computer. This gives me the freedom to play any samples on my computer.