MIDI 101

[elser]

Sorry about the repeats, my new Magic Mouse is kind of erratic.

[Len911]

I don't believe notation is the key to avoiding "sounding MIDI", though, because MIDI generally has more resolution than notation and its associated software suites.

Maybe that's true in most notation software. I use Arpege's Pizzicato Composition Pro. It's more of a hybrid notation program. There are many ways to approach a task. The point is that you don't lose any midi resolution. You can make your own pallets and symbols or modifying the midi data of an existing symbol into one of your own.

For example:

fff = 120.
ff = 104.
f = 88.
mf = 72.
mp = 56.
p = 40.
pp = 24.
ppp = 8.

In Pizzicato, if I wanted a symbol with a velocity of 112. I could either modify the midi velocity value
of say ff or fff, or I could make my own symbol, call it say ffg and give it the velocity value of 112.

The video is not about making pallets and symbols, it's about using a different method of applying midi data modification. You have to consult the manual for making symbols.

https://youtu.be/jjKntvS70Rw?t=9m37s

[Paulie]

Lots of great advice in here, I'll give you my list (much already covered)

Sounding too MIDI means to me:

• Acoustic Instrument patches not sounding real enough
• Lack of dynamics within individual parts and phrases
• Too much quantizing

Funny... I got a return on a dramedy piece that said it sounded too stuff and MIDI. I was playing my soprano sax on it, it takes years of practice to develop solid time. So now I loosen up a bit when playing live instruments.

[MJRivard]

Hi,
Intersting topic. I try to play all parts. I select the instruments and articulations then try to play the part to simulate a real player.

If you would like to listen to a piece I have been working on, which I play all parts as a performance, you can hear it on my soundcloud page. The piece is titled, Sun Rise.

www.soundcloud.com/myran-j-rivard

I would like any suggestions in making it sound better.

On other pieces I use live recorded instruments, mostly guitar / bass guitar and drums.

- Myran