Is there a virtual MIDI?

What is MIDI?

MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. It is a technical standard that describes a protocol, digital interface, and connectors that allows a wide variety of digital musical instruments, computers, and other related music and audio devices to connect and communicate with one another.

The MIDI specification was published in 1983 by a group of leading musical instrument manufacturers to create a universal standard. This allowed musical instruments and digital devices from different companies and manufacturers to interconnect and synchronize with each other using the MIDI protocol. Prior to MIDI, electronic musical instruments from different companies were generally not compatible with each other.

MIDI functions as a digital data transfer language to deliver messages like musical notes, program changes, expression/control data, or timing cues between devices connected over MIDI cables. For example, a MIDI keyboard controller can send musical note data over a MIDI cable to a synthesizer or computer running a digital audio workstation (DAW) software. This allows the keyboard to play and control the synthesizer sound remotely. MIDI data can also synchronize tempo/timing across multiple devices like drum machines, sequencers, and lighting rigs during a live performance.

In summary, MIDI is a technical standard and protocol that enables various musical devices to communicate, connect, and synchronize with each other to expand the capabilities of musical performance and production. It allows seamless integration of instruments, computers, recording equipment, and more from any manufacturer.

How does MIDI work?

MIDI works by transmitting musical and time-based data between devices using MIDI messages. These messages are sent over MIDI cables or wirelessly using MIDI interfaces. Some common MIDI messages include:

• Note on/off – Triggers a note to start or stop playing
• Program change – Changes the instrument sound or patch
• Pitch bend – Bends the pitch up or down
• Control change – Adjusts parameters like volume, panning, etc.
• Clock signals – Keeps instruments synchronized to a timing reference

When you play a MIDI keyboard, it sends note on/off messages with pitch and velocity data to a sound module or computer. The module then plays the appropriate instrument sound for each message received. This allows users to control multiple instruments and devices from a single MIDI controller.1

Unlike audio signals, MIDI data transmits performance information rather than actual sound. This keeps file sizes small and allows for quick integration between various MIDI devices, computers, and recording software.

What is virtual MIDI?

Virtual MIDI refers to software that enables routing MIDI data between applications and virtual instruments on a computer, without requiring any external MIDI devices or cables (https://www.tobias-erichsen.de/software/virtualmidi.html). With virtual MIDI, the MIDI data transmission happens entirely within the software environment on a computer.

Virtual MIDI works by creating virtual MIDI ports that can send and receive MIDI messages. Music applications like digital audio workstations (DAWs) and virtual instrument plugins can connect to these virtual ports to communicate MIDI data back and forth. For example, a virtual piano plugin could send MIDI note data through a virtual MIDI cable to a DAW sequencer.

The key difference from traditional MIDI setups is that virtual MIDI does not require any physical MIDI keyboards, tone generators, or MIDI interface cables between devices. The routing and connections all happen logically between software programs on the same computer. This allows for greater flexibility and convenience when working with MIDI sequencing, synthesis, and effects processing in a software studio environment.

Benefits of Virtual MIDI

Virtual MIDI offers musicians and producers several advantages over traditional hardware MIDI controllers and interfaces. One of the main benefits is the reduction in cables and gear needed. With virtual MIDI, you don’t need any physical MIDI cables or interfaces to route MIDI between applications and devices on the same computer. MIDI data can be sent directly over your computer’s internal connections.

This makes it easy to integrate MIDI with your DAW and VST instruments. For example, you can use a virtual MIDI controller to play a software synthesizer loaded in your DAW, controlling it just like an external hardware synth but without the need for MIDI cables. The MIDI data is sent internally from the virtual controller to the DAW.

Another major advantage is the ability to route MIDI between applications on the same computer. For instance, you can send MIDI from a virtual keyboard in one program to a DAW like Ableton Live running on the same computer. This enables seamless MIDI workflows and control without extra hardware. Overall, virtual MIDI enhances connectivity and reduces cable clutter.

Sources:

[1] https://themusicalplanet.com/midi-controllers/virtual-midi-keyboards/

Popular virtual MIDI software

There are a variety of popular and effective virtual MIDI software options to choose from. Some top choices include:

LoopBe – LoopBe is an advanced virtual MIDI keyboard and controller. It offers full MIDI input capability, MIDI chord recognition, configurable keys, and DAW integration. LoopBe works on Windows and is free.

MIDI Berry – MIDI Berry from Samson is a portable USB MIDI controller with 25 velocity-sensitive mini keys. It’s lightweight, works with any DAW, and is plug-and-play ready.

MIDI Mock – MIDI Mock provides a virtual MIDI input for when you don’t have access to a MIDI keyboard. It’s great for testing MIDI tracks and allows full customization.

Bome MIDI Translator – MIDI Translator Pro from Bome Software converts MIDI to keystrokes, mouse actions, NRPNs, and more. It helps integrate MIDI with your favorite apps and DAW.

Other options include MidiPipe, JamOrigin, and the FL Studio MIDI Out plugin.

Using Virtual MIDI with DAWs

Virtual MIDI allows you to route MIDI data between virtual instruments, effects plugins, and DAW tracks. This enables powerful MIDI routing workflows.

For example, you can send MIDI from a synthesizer track in your DAW to an external synth plugin or hardware synth connected via a MIDI interface. This allows you to incorporate external sounds into your DAW project.

You can also route MIDI between tracks in your DAW using virtual MIDI ports. For instance, you could send the MIDI output of a drum track to a bass synth track to have the bass follow the drum pattern. Or route MIDI clock from your DAW to external hardware synths to keep everything in sync.

On Windows, the popular LoopMIDI virtual MIDI software allows easy setup of virtual MIDI ports. On Mac, the process is simple within Audio MIDI Setup.

Using virtual MIDI makes it easy to sync timing across different applications. You can route MIDI clock and transport controls between your DAW and plugins or external gear. This keeps everything locked in even when combining elements across multiple programs.

Tips for setting up virtual MIDI

Setting up virtual MIDI on your computer takes a few steps, but it’s straightforward once you know what to do. Here are some tips for getting virtual MIDI working smoothly:

First, you’ll need to install some virtual MIDI software. On Mac, the built-in IAC driver allows you to create virtual MIDI ports. On Windows, apps like LoopMIDI or LoopBE1 can create virtual MIDI ports.

Next, you’ll need to set up the I/O routing between your music apps and the virtual MIDI ports. Most DAWs and virtual instruments have MIDI settings where you can specify which MIDI ports to send and receive from.

Finally, you may need to adjust buffer size/latency settings to reduce latency and get responsive virtual MIDI performance. Lower buffer sizes reduce latency but increase CPU load, so find the best balance for your system.

Limitations of virtual MIDI

While virtual MIDI provides many benefits, it also comes with some limitations compared to using dedicated MIDI hardware. One potential drawback is latency issues. Since virtual MIDI relies on your computer’s operating system and audio interface, there can be latency (delay) introduced in MIDI timing and response. This is especially true on underpowered computers. The processing of MIDI data is dependent on your computer’s CPU and optimization, so older or weaker machines may struggle with complex virtual MIDI setups ¹.

Virtual MIDI is also limited in flexibility compared to hardware MIDI interfaces and equipment. With dedicated MIDI gear, you have more customizable options for routing and connecting MIDI devices. Virtual MIDI is constrained by what your audio interface, operating system, and software allows. So while convenient, it lacks some of the advanced functionality of hardware MIDI solutions.

Virtual MIDI Alternatives

While virtual MIDI software provides a convenient way to send MIDI data between applications on a computer, some alternatives exist for musicians who want more robust MIDI connectivity and routing options.

One alternative is using the MIDI environment built into digital audio workstations (DAWs). Most major DAWs like Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and FL Studio include virtual MIDI ports that can route MIDI between tracks and plugins. This gives greater control over MIDI routing compared to external virtual MIDI software.

Another option is using dedicated external hardware MIDI interfaces. These devices connect to a computer via USB and provide multiple MIDI input and output ports. Musicians can connect MIDI keyboards, controllers, sound modules, and other hardware to the interface. This setup offers near-zero latency compared to virtual MIDI connections.

MIDI over LAN is a third alternative for musicians working with multiple computers. This allows using a physical MIDI interface on one computer and routing its MIDI signals across a local network to another computer. For collaborative and complex MIDI studio setups, MIDI over LAN provides flexibility in working with multiple devices and computers.

While virtual MIDI offers convenience, utilizing a DAW’s native MIDI environment, external MIDI interfaces, or MIDI over LAN gives musicians alternatives with more robust features and connectivity options.

The future of virtual MIDI

As virtual MIDI continues to evolve, there are several key areas of improvement to look out for:

One is lower latency and better timing. As explained in this Sound on Sound article, tighter timing will allow virtual MIDI to work seamlessly for applications like live performances where lag cannot be tolerated. Features like timestamping in MIDI 2.0 may help with this.

Another exciting development is deeper integration with MIDI 2.0 features. As covered by Microsoft’s MIDI dev blog, virtual MIDI implementations will likely add support for extended MIDI messages and other advanced capabilities of the new spec like profile configuration and property exchange (Microsoft, 2023). This will expand what can be done with virtual MIDI.

Finally, expect more flexible routing options between apps and devices. Software like Bome’s Virtual MIDI ports already offers complex routing, but even more configurability and customization may be possible. Complex project studios with many MIDI devices will benefit from easier setup and routing.