you If you’re a modular synthesizer or the bassist in a troglodyte doom metal band, the chances of you coming across a device that utilizes MIDI are pretty much 100% at this point. The communication protocol is over 40 years old, but little has changed since the head honchos at Roland, Oberheim, and Sequential Circuits collaborated on a universal language that instruments can use to talk to each other. Its low-tech nature is its greatest strength, allowing you to quickly and reliably control synthesizer or guitar pedal racks with zero digital bandwidth. MIDI is great because it has evolved so little.
what have What has evolved is an industry in music accessories that leverages MIDI to do great, cool things that aren’t just replaceable digital keyboards. Want to swipe your hands to adjust filters and delay times like a sane conductor? There are MIDI devices for this. Do you idolize U2’s The Edge and his ability to drastically change your guitar tone with a single foot press? There are MIDI pedals for this. Why not wander around a synth fortress like Keith Emerson so you have access to organs and electronic keyboards for your upcoming wedding gig? There is a MIDI controller for this.
MIDI devices come in all shapes and sizes, and I’ve tested dozens of them over a decade to find a setup that’s intuitive, robust, and easy on my back. Since I deal with both guitar effects and amateur synth antics, I’m a big fan of items that can double-dip into both worlds for a Spartan setup. Some are inspiring and bizarre, while others are unsexy and practical, but utterly essential to the ever-growing array of equipment with complex routing and connections. My outlook on this entire setup may need to be reevaluated once the upcoming MIDI 2.0 protocol is released, but until then, here’s a list of some of the most loved MIDI gear I work with every day.
Do you enjoy creating and listening to audio? Be sure to check out our lists of the best DAWs, best USB microphones, best headphones, and best bookshelf speakers.
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