10 MIDI Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

What if everything you knew about MIDI was incomplete? David Miles Huber challenges conventional views by delivering a detailed exploration of both MIDI 1.0 and the emerging MIDI 2.0 standards, grounding his insights in decades of music production expertise. You’ll learn to set up efficient MIDI systems, master sequencing and mixing, and integrate controllers and synchronization tools with your DAW to enhance your production workflow. The book’s clear explanations and practical examples, such as implementing groove tools and system interconnections, make it especially useful for producers aiming to deepen their technical command. If your goal is to elevate your music production with advanced MIDI knowledge, this guide offers a focused, hands-on approach.

When Dr. J. Anthony Allen challenges traditional music theory teaching, he strips away classical notation barriers to focus solely on the MIDI grid familiar to electronic producers. This approach lets you grasp harmony, chord progressions, and song structure in a language you already understand, without wrestling with sheet music. Through clear explanations and analysis of tracks by artists like Daft Punk and Deadmau5, you gain practical insight into composing within your DAW. If you create electronic music but find conventional theory daunting, this book equips you with accessible tools to elevate your productions.

This tailored book provides an in-depth analysis of MIDI communication protocols, focusing on device integration and advanced control techniques. It presents a personalized framework that adjusts to your specific musical setup and technical goals, cutting through irrelevant advice and fitting your context precisely. The methodology covers data transmission standards, message formatting, synchronization strategies, and troubleshooting protocols, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of MIDI's operational mechanics. Additionally, it explores hardware-software interaction models, allowing for optimized device interoperability and real-time control. By focusing on protocol specifics and integration challenges, this tailored approach equips you with actionable insights to enhance your MIDI setup's efficiency and creative potential.

When Robert Guerin first realized how many musicians struggled to fully grasp MIDI's complexities, he set out to create a detailed resource that covers everything from basic protocols to advanced integration with computers. Drawing from his 18 years as a composer and educator, Guerin walks you through MIDI messages, hardware connections, and software applications for both Mac and Windows platforms. The book dives into practical topics like editing MIDI and understanding its role in sound design, making it a solid reference whether you're a musician, audio technician, or tech-savvy enthusiast. If you want a deep dive into the nuts and bolts of MIDI technology without fluff, this is a fitting guide, but casual hobbyists might find its detail dense.

When Tom Scarff first discovered the potential of combining MIDI with Arduino, he set out to demystify the technical barriers that often intimidate beginners. Drawing from his expertise in Arduino programming and MIDI applications, he provides you with detailed source code and hardware connections to create your own musical MIDI interfaces. You’ll gain hands-on skills building devices that translate physical actions into digital music signals, making the abstract world of MIDI tangible and accessible. This book suits anyone eager to bridge programming and music, especially those who want practical, project-based learning rather than theory alone.

Andrea Pejrolo's extensive background as Assistant Chair of Contemporary Writing and Production at Berklee College of Music, combined with his hands-on experience in sound design, audio engineering, and MIDI programming, fuels this detailed guide on orchestration. The book teaches you how to blend traditional acoustic orchestration with modern MIDI sequencing techniques, offering chapters on vocal ensembles, various ensemble sizes, and mixed contemporary groups. You'll find concrete examples and audio resources that help you understand how to translate orchestral writing into the studio environment. This resource suits composers and producers eager to deepen their orchestration skills while mastering the latest sequencing tools.

This tailored book provides a structured approach to designing and building MIDI hardware projects using Arduino platforms. It presents a personalized framework that aligns with your technical skills and musical goals, focusing on practical implementations of MIDI controllers and decoders. The content addresses core concepts such as MIDI protocol integration, sensor interfacing, hardware design, and Arduino programming, cutting through irrelevant advice to fit your specific project needs. By combining foundational knowledge with hands-on methodologies, it guides you through creating custom MIDI devices, adapting strategies to your particular background and creative objectives.

When Paul Gilreath first recognized the growing complexity of digital orchestration, he crafted this extensive guide to bridge the gap between traditional orchestration and modern MIDI technology. You’ll explore detailed sections on orchestral history, instrument timbre, range, and specific orchestration techniques tailored for MIDI composers aiming to emulate a symphony orchestra with precision. This book benefits anyone wanting to create realistic orchestral textures using samplers and computer recording, from seasoned composers to aspiring arrangers. With over 700 pages and four-color process printing, it offers a thorough yet accessible dive into merging artistry with advancing sampling technology.

When Tom Scarff first discovered the potential of combining Arduino with MIDI technology, he crafted this guide to demystify complex controller and decoder projects. You’ll gain hands-on knowledge about building interfaces using keyboards, potentiometers, sliders, switches, and even breath control sensors, with clear explanations and practical examples throughout the chapters. This book is especially useful if you want to develop custom MIDI hardware or deepen your understanding of interfacing electronics with music technology. While it’s technical, the accessible approach makes it suitable for hobbyists and professionals aiming to expand their MIDI hardware skills.

When Jim Conger first realized how programming languages could unlock the potential of MIDI technology, he set out to create a guide bridging C programming with MIDI applications. Drawing from his deep expertise in computer science and music tech, Conger details how you can manipulate MIDI data programmatically, covering topics like real-time message processing and device communication. You’ll find concrete examples that clarify complex concepts, such as structuring MIDI messages in C and interfacing with hardware. This book suits programmers wanting to dive into MIDI development rather than musicians seeking purely musical instruction.

Basic MIDI introduces you to the essentials of MIDI technology with an approach that connects complex ideas to everyday experiences like television and telephones. Paul White, drawing on over two decades as a music producer and author specializing in music technology, uses clear language and detailed diagrams to demystify MIDI for musicians who might otherwise feel overwhelmed by technical jargon. You’ll gain practical understanding of MIDI’s structure and how it integrates into music production setups, making it easier to apply these concepts in your own work. This book suits those new to MIDI or anyone seeking a straightforward refresher without unnecessary complexity.

The Midi Files offers a detailed exploration of MIDI technology from the perspective of Rob Young, an experienced programmer and musician. Drawing from his deep expertise, Young breaks down complex MIDI concepts and practical applications that go far beyond typical equipment manuals. You’ll find clear explanations of MIDI protocols, troubleshooting tips, and over 60 example files that illustrate how MIDI can be harnessed effectively in music production. This book suits anyone from musicians wanting to master their MIDI gear to programmers seeking a technical yet accessible guide to MIDI implementation.