Gift Of Education

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- May 5th, 2011

If you use MIDI and always wondered how - and why - it works, MIDI 101 is for you! Informative and entertaining, "MIDI Demystified" is a required tutorial for anyone looking to get the most out of their MIDI hardware and software.
This tutorial is written, narrated, and even animated (!) by veteran composer, keyboardist and synthesist Peter "Ski" Schwartz. Designed to "demystify" MIDI in an entertaining yet incredibly informative way, this 4-hour magnum-opus of MIDI will show you everything you've ever wanted to know about MIDI in your studio.
"MIDI Demystified" starts out with a detailed historical vignette taking MIDI from its humble beginnings through to its current state-of-the-art technology. Peter then investigates, explains and provides solutions to the many different MIDI situations that all musicians encounter in both live performance & in a studio setting.
Featuring dozens of animated MIDI signal-flow diagrams, live action footage, and beautiful images of the latest MIDI gear along with vintage MIDI devices, Peter explains the potentially dry subject of MIDI in a way that makes the learning process accessible and fun!
MIDI 101: MIDI Demystified is filled with all kinds of unexpected and informative surprises, and plenty of musical examples in a wide variety of styles. MIDI 101 teaches you everything there is to know about MIDI while keeping you entertained in the process!
So join Peter “Ski” Schwartz on his incredibly fun filled romp through the amazing, musically microscopic and meaningful world of MIDI.
For a full list of the topics covered, see the Tutorial Outline
or click the button below to Preview this tutorial.

- Chapter 1: Welcome to MIDI 101
- 1: Welcome to MIDI 101
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02:281. Welcome
- Chapter 2: Introduction to MIDI
- 2: Introduction to MIDI
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03:272. Somewhere in MIDI-eval Europe… (a short film)
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02:423. Controllers, Sound Modules, Plugins, and other MIDI Instruments
- Chapter 3: Basic Concepts and Perspectives
- 3: Basic Concepts and Perspectives
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06:524. An Overview of MIDI Messages, and Perspectives on What MIDI Is
- Chapter 4: Connecting MIDI Devices
- 4: Connecting MIDI Devices
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02:525. MIDI Connectors and Connections
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01:216. MIDI In, Out, and Thru
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02:107. The Golden Rule of Signal Flow
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03:228. MIDI Thru, in Detail
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05:009. Thru Boxes and Daisy-Chains
- Chapter 5: MIDI Channels & Omni Mode
- 5: MIDI Channels & Omni Mode
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02:5810. MIDI Channels & Channel Voice Messages Primer
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03:2611. Transmit and Receive Channels, and Applications Part 1
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03:4212. Transmit and Receive Channels, and Applications Part 2
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03:2913. Omni Mode
- Chapter 6: The Serial Nature of MIDI Messages
- 6: The Serial Nature of MIDI Messages
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03:3814. The Serial Nature of MIDI Messages
- Chapter 7: Channel Voice Messages
- 7: Channel Message Structure
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04:2215. The Message Structure of Channel Voice Messages
- 8: Note On and Note Off Messages
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06:4216. Note On and Note Off Message Structure, Note Off Variations
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02:0117. MIDI Note Numbers
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01:3018. Note Off Handling in Percussion Controllers
- 9: Aftertouch (Mono and Poly)
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02:5719. Basic Concepts (or, "A Guide to Making Music Using Carpenter's Tools")
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04:2020. Comparison of Mono & Poly Aftertouch-based Effects
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05:4521. Aftertouch: MIDI Message Structure (Mono and Poly)
- 10: Program Change
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05:1422. Applications for Program Change Messages
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08:1523. Program Change: Message Structure, and, the Dangers of Using Program Change Messages
- 11: Pitch Bender
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07:2524. Pitch Bender Message Basics
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04:1225. Pitch Bend MSB and LSB
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02:2626. Adjusting the Pitch Bend Range
- 12: Control Change Messages
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03:3027. Introduction to Control Change Messages
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07:3128. Message Structure, Continuous and Switch Controllers
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06:3429. Controller Default Values and Compatibility
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02:3230. Perspectives on Control Change Message Function
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07:4231. CC's 7, 10, and 11
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04:3732. CC's 0, 32, and 74
- Chapter 8: Multi-Timbral Instrumrnts
- 13: Multi-Timbral Instruments
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04:4833. The Meaning of Multi-Timbral, and, Sequencing with a Multi-Timbral Sound Module
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06:5134. Multi-Timbral Plugins
- Chapter 9: MIDI Interfaces, and MIDI & USB Compare...
- 14: MIDI Interfaces, and MIDI & USB Compared
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04:4535. When and Why You'd Need One
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01:2036. Connecting and Using USB Devices
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06:0137. Comparing MIDI and MIDI-over-USB
- Chapter 10: MIDI Mergers
- 15: MIDI Mergers
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03:5738. How Mergers Work
- Chapter 11: Sequencing
- 16: Sequencing
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03:3739. Sequencing Using a DAW and a Multi-Timbral Sound Module, and, the Concept of Channelizing
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06:4840. "The Mind of MIDI" -- Thinking Through a More Complex Sequencing Setup
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04:0141. The Local Control
- Chapter 12: Multi-Channel Interfaces
- 17: Multi-Channel Interfaces
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07:3042. Bringing it All Together: Combining MIDI Concepts and Overcoming the 16 Channel Limitation
- Chapter 13: MIDI Synchronization
- 18: MIDI Synchronization
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03:1643. Basic Concepts
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04:1744. Master and Slave Devices
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04:0645. Scenarios: Deciding on Which Device to use as the Master
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03:3746. MIDI Clock in Detail
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04:1047. MIDI Time Code (MTC)
- Chapter 14: Additional MIDI Messages
- 19: System Excludive Messages
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04:4448. Sysex Primer and Bulk Dumps
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04:1749. Recording Sysex Data (and why you'd want to do that), Part 1
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02:1550. Recording Sysex Data, Part 2 (Sound Parameter Changes)
- 20: Active Sensing
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03:0051. Annoying Blinking LED's
- Chapter 15: Tech Sector
- 21: Tech Sector
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05:2952. All About Binary Numbers and Why We Have Only 128 Values in MIDI
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02:0353. Hexa-whatimal?
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05:2954. The Importance of Reading MIDI Implementation Charts (and how to read them)





Dense and intense! This was a transformative learning experience. The content and instructor were impeccable.





Fantastic course. Took what I thought was a very complex subject and boiled it down to a very simple subject. If you compose using MIDI instruments or a DAW then you need to do this course, because this course actually describes how to fully utilise your virtual instruments.





When you get over what can appear to be an overwhelming length of this course, there is such a wealth of information to be had! And while it may be even more daunting to go back and reinforce what was learned, gaining an understanding of the way MIDI information is being sent is a truly powerful tool. I honestly had no idea of how minuscule the details could be that I could control until this course. Peter is clever and insightful and goes at an easy pace (and if it's not to your liking, luckily there's hyper learn ;). If you're looking to dig deeper into your control over MIDI in the studio or even in a live environment, I highly recommend watching this set of videos. And if you're just starting out and have made your way through some other DAW tutorials, this will be a great way for you to dig in deeper and really gain a keen understanding on how to create the sounds you want. Truly an essential set of tutorials. Thanks Peter!





Really helpful. Maybe a no-brainer for some folks, but for me, this is one of the courses that should be be considered basic training for folks entering digital production. Much appreciated.





I absolutely LOVE all of Peter's tutorials! Both MIDI orchestration courses and his Logic score editor tutorials are the best money that I've ever spent. I thought that I already had a pretty deep knowledge of MIDI, but liking his style and wanting some review, I tried this earlier tutorial. I found his trademark humor a little more artificial and heavy-handed in this one, but his ability to break down concepts to easy-to-understand 'bits' was there. Well worth the money for anyone using MIDI to perform or record.





Wow! I pieced my way though this over some months to get an overview of MIDI and am glad I did. Learned some things about controllers to watch for when buying. Thumbs up to this course, and the humour was appreciated and needed to keep things interesting. Thanks.





Great tutorial and very informative. But the instructor tried too hard to be funny, which keeps me from rating it 5 stars, otherwise it's a great, great course.





This is, by far, the best explanation I have found for MIDI, period. Most books on the subject I've found are very obtuse and most seem to presume previous knowledge of the subject. Not this series of video tutorials, however. Peter Schwartz really knows his subject and he presents it in a very interesting and compelling way. Not too much technical gobbledygook but all the info you NEED in a way you can understand. Personally, I enjoyed the humourous interludes as a way to lighten up a potentially dry and boring topic. I never felt bored or confused watching this and I learned what I needed to learn in order to get a good handle on MIDI. For anyone struggling with the whole concept of MIDI, I really do recommend this course. Peter Schwartz is an awesome teacher who is enthusiastic about the subjects he teaches and who doesn't talk down to his students. Simply excellent!!





Of all the top educators at AskVideo, Peter Schwartz is definitely the all time toppest! Pretty voice, brilliant humour, clear explanation, unsurpassable know how (technically as wel as musically) etc. etc. AskVideo, be careful with this guy!





Another great course on MIDI by Peter Schwartz, compliments the MIDI editing course in Logic Pro X nicely. Peter displays a good level between professionalism and humour throughout this.





Excellent course on MIDI editing in Logic Pro X! I am a long time user of Logic Pro and found several really good tips in this course.





As an electronic music producer setting up a new studio - I found this course invaluable. Everything you wanted and NEED to know about midi integration. This course is one all budding (and experienced!) music producers should watch.





As an electronic music producer setting up a new studio - I found this course invaluable. Everything you wanted and NEED to know about midi integration. This course is one all budding (and experienced!) music producers should watch.





As an electronic music producer setting up a new studio - I found this course invaluable. Everything you wanted and NEED to know about midi integration. This course is one all budding (and experienced!) music producers should watch.





Very good course! Was easy to follow as everything is explained in simple terms and with examples all along the tutorials. Made understanding midi plain and simple for me. Thanks!!





This is an excellent course. I thought I knew 'at least' the basic principles of midi and this course slapped me in the face. Wonderful job on dumbing things down while still using midi lingo. I would most certainly recommend this course to others.





Midi Demystified, is a well laid out tutorial, for the advanced beginner or intermediate user of Midi such as myself,this here tutorial filed in some blank spots and concepts about midi that, I didn't have a full grasps of, until viewing this Course.





Excellent course! It really helped me to understand the possibilities I have with all the different gear I own!





very interesting. A lot learned that i did not know. Always good tho know the details!





Thank you for this great tutorial. It's really helpful to me to deepen my MIDI understanding - good examples, very good drawings and didactics. However, the attempted comedy parts and especially the producer were annoying and felt to me like a waste of time. I would prefer the information to be presented without distractions.





This tutorial is very in depth view of MIDI. I never studied MIDI before, but have used it. I am so glad that I have taken this course. Peter Schwartz is very thorough instructor who he keeps the listener engaged with appropriate graphics, "timbre" of voice, and some much needed light humor in order to get the student through the massive amount of information. I took 22 and a half pages of notes, and I am on my way to the Logic Midi tutorial to attempt to apply my newfound knowledge.





For years I have been half-way understanding MIDI. This really brought everything out in the light of day so I could fully understand how it works. Thanks a million to Mr. Schwartz and his humorous and entertaining style of teaching. Awesome!





Awesome course! Lots of good, usable info here with nice examples. The explanation of sysex was very helpful.





The content was spot on but I found the interjection of the "producer" super annoying and time consuming. I wonder how much shorter this course would have been without all the producer fluff.





Interesting tutorial and explained well. I already knew a lot about midi but this course filled in some of the gaps.





This course just blew my mind. I might actually buy this course to refer to over and over again because of all the information mention and so I can review when I don't have internet connection.





Great course, it would be great to see more courses by Peter on the site. You can tell he has a lot of knowledge but also mixes a little humour in. Great work.





An insightful in-depth look into the world of midi. I am sure there is much more to get into but the basic concepts and ideas are available in the course. Definitely helpful in understanding MIDI.





This tutorial was easy to understand and follow. Not too much information was thrown at you at once so you could really understand everything from section to section. Really learned a lot here.





I wish I had access to this course 25 yrs ago - I actually feel I know it now :) The only minor drawback was the humour was a bit too "much" in spots. Isn't MIDI humorous enough on it's own? lol :)





Very Awesome tutorials. Easy to follow and entertaining! Great job Peter...





Really good intro to MIDI. Very informative and entertaining. If you use (or want to use) MIDI, this is certainly worth watching. You will learn something.





I had no clue about what MIDI was before. Boy can I say this opened a new exciting door in my life.





Midi 101 is a much needed tutorial . I was afraid to get engineering type lingo busting my attention. But Author was very aware of that , and always 'translated' the lingo into simple and practical terms. I red several of those manuals /books about midi. However in this format with the visuals and to the point multiple ways of explaining same thing it finally got to me. Midi terminology often uses very similar ways to say one thing and it can be confusing. For that reason only it was worth watching the class. I am still in the middle of digesting this and comparing and implementing knowledge to real life situations such as playing different synth /plugins to play Sibelius 7 through Pro Tools 9.6 in my MAc Daw DAW station. or using Pro Tools Xpan2 in that multi channels mode that he refers to. or programming my Axiom Pro 49 controller to customize my needs triggering plug ins such as BFD2 that is often used in score film production. There is room for an additional class please do not call it advanced and jump to the stratosphere but implement the knowledge introduced. I am hopeful that watching this video on one hand and some of the UTube how to of more advanced users will help me implement those particular situations. Overall Much Needed Superb Value Class, especially for a person like me that learns by doing see this now do that before I connect the dots.





wow, a great reference to world of MIDI , I learned alot, but i expected to have an example of each was mentioned such as the midi merge, midi thru, the program chnage the same pictures were shown as an example to have them live to show how were they connected together.. would be great to have those examples shown step by step how were they connected and how the midi configuration were done..Thanks





I am very pleased with this tutorial. It is very clear and easy to understand and has given me a good insight into the workings of MIDI. I would much prefer to watch a video rather than reading through lots of text. Many thanks for a great tutorial.





Great and fun tutorial. I'd like to see more from him in the future!





i'm really diggin this tutorial. Peter is very well versed in breaking down MIDI & is very entertaining at the same time. i wish my instructors at my school was this fun! thanks for the vid.





Peter "Ski" Schwartz has created a totally awesome video here. The presentation makes this video a must for anyone who wants to expand their knowledge of midi integration into the DAW they use. Being new to keyboards (guitarist) this video has made me fully aware of the potential of the midi interface. There's something here for newcomers and advanced users alike. The title says it all MIDI Demystified. Great fun to watch and the teachers knowledge of the subject is obviously vast.





The teacher not only was clear but was a true pro of MIDI who made learning fun. This had ever right to be a boring experience learning this but he made sure you learned everything you needed to know while giving you some good laughs. what a great teacher





Not only that this tutorial help me understand MIDI very well, I also have to say that this is the best video tutorial i have ever watched.





Indeed!! Great information for the novice as well as the experienced MIDIiot. Great history and theory, and practical application. Love it!





It pretty much does what the tittle says, it really demystifies Midi. I have a much better understanding about Midi. The explanations and the graphics were amazing. At first I was not crazy about the jokes, but that is part of why I was able to visualize it and understand MIDI in a simpler and effective way. Thank you MVP.





I really liked it. It filled in missing gaps in my midi knowledge.





This tutorial is the first of the best in the Midi environment. The creator of this Midi tutorial cared about the users of Midi. Use this tutorial for the correct answer for all Midi users.





I made it a point to devote time to reviewing the entire tutorial - it was time well spent. This comprehensive look at MIDI is a must-do for any musician who is in a one-man band! This look at MIDI gives you the knowledge needed to see your gear in a who new light. After seeing this video, I realize that I have more than I even imagined with my current gear. Hey, maybe I can actually stop buying tons of gear and dig into what I already have an explore the uses of MIDI! Peter explains the nuances of MIDI with clarity. Thanks!





This was great. A really fun, simple and informative overview of how midi works. It goes into just the right amount of depth, enough to help understand Midi without needlessly indulging in too much complicated information. The offbeat humour can be corny but I grew to like it in the end and it ultimately achieves its goal; that is to lighten up an otherwise fairly dull medium. Highly recommended for those wishing to further their control over synthetic sounds by understanding what makes it all happen, Midi.





Well macProVideo with Peter Schwartz has produced another wonderful title in Midi Demystified. There is information in this tutorial for all levels of learners, but the main audience may be the relative novice hence "midi 101". Peter Schwartz did a great job in presenting the information in a clear and organized manner. The illustrations added to the understanding of the topic and the humor was well received. I found what appeared to be several Power Point type presentations in the program, which unfortunately were not formatted to take full advantage of the screen. They seemed to occupy about 1/3 of the viewing area which on the computer made the material hard to view and on an iPod touch near impossible to see. Overall though a fabulous title and presenter and I look forward to future titles from Mr. Schwartz and of course macProVideo!





Hi guys, this tutorial contains the best explanation about midi and its configuration I had read/watch/studied ever. Thanks a lot, That is great! :) Spain





In 1983, I attended the NAMM show where Midi was first introduced. I had just come off a miserable studio recording experience, costing me an incredible sum and blowing 'my big break'. As a devastated attendee, I walked out of that show absolutely elated and can still say to this day- that Midi (aside from digital media) is the greatest thing that ever happened to the independent artist and music. The improvements to the technology have made it an essential part of recording. Midi is not cheating. Midi is empowering. I thank Peter for this wonderful presentation and encourage every one who sees this to rent this video. If you think you know Midi.... guess again. It is more than plugging in a cable.
