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How to Use MIDI Live Onstage

Musical Instrument Digital Interface, or MIDI for short, functions like a programming language for digital music. You can input MIDI commands to send musical information to a computer or sound module. To give a more simple example, you can connect a MIDI keyboard (which looks like a standard music keyboard) to a computer using a MIDI cable and play notes just like you would on a piano. The MIDI cable will transmit the notes to the computer, instructing it to play audio based on the keys that you press (like "C," "G" or "D"). You can also use MIDI live on stage.

Things You'll Need

  • MIDI controller
  • Sound module
  • Digital recording software
  • Computer
  • MIDI cable(s)
  • MIDI USB interface
  • USB mixer/interface
  • Stereo cables
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Instructions

    • 1

      Plug in a computer or sound module onstage. You can use a proper MIDI sound module (sold in music supply stores), or you can use a laptop or desktop computer. This device will create the sound for your MIDI transmission. If using a desktop or laptop computer, you must first install a digital music program with MIDI playback capabilities. Most digital recording programs will do the trick.

    • 2

      Connect a MIDI USB interface (also sold in music stores) to the USB port on your desktop or laptop computer. This will allow you to connect a MIDI cable directly to the computer. Don't worry about this if you are using a standard sound module rather than a computer.

    • 3

      Connect a MIDI cable to the circular "MIDI In" jack on your sound module or MIDI USB interface. For sound modules, you should find this port along the back of the device.

    • 4

      Connect the opposing end of your MIDI cable to the circular "MIDI Out" port on any MIDI controller. This MIDI controller is the device you use to control (play) the notes, like a MIDI keyboard or drum machine.

    • 5

      Select a "voice." In digital music terminology, a "voice" is simply a sound setting that you assign for MIDI playback. For instance, if you want to emulate the sounds of violins, you might choose a "Violin" voice on your sound module or digital editing program. If you want to create percussion, you might select a "Synth Drum" or "Rock Drum" voice. To access your voices, locate the "Voices," "Presets" or "Software Instruments" menu on your sound module or computer program.

    • 6

      Connect your MIDI setup to the speaker or public alert system for your live performance. If using a computer, you should first connect any available USB port to a portable USB mixer/interface. This will allow you to connect to the public alert system using stereo cables, since the mixer will have stereo cable jacks. If using a sound module, it should already have ports for stereo cables.

    • 7

      Begin playing the notes on your MIDI controller. The notes will transmit to the sound module, which will then play the corresponding sounds through the speaker system. You now have a fully optimized live MIDI setup.

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Digital Music

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