Radio Shack LK-1261 What is MIDI?, General Midi, Midi Connections, Midi Channels, Messages

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MIDI

What is MIDI?

The letters MIDI stand for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, which is the name of a worldwide standard for digital signals and connectors that makes it possible to exchange musical data between musical instruments and computers (machines) produced by different manufacturers. MIDI compatible equipment can exchange keyboard key press, key release, tone change, and other data as messages. Though you do not need any special knowledge about MIDI to use this keyboard as a stand-alone unit, MIDI operations require a bit of specialized knowledge. This section provides you with an overview of MIDI that will help to get you going.

MIDI Connections

MIDI messages are send out through the MIDI OUT terminal of one machine to the MIDI IN terminal of another machine over a MIDI cable. To send a message from this keyboard to another machine, for example, you must use a MIDI cable to connect the MIDI OUT terminal of this keyboard to the MIDI IN terminal of the other machine. To send MIDI messages back to this keyboard, you need to use a MIDI cable to connect the other machine’s MIDI OUT terminal to the MIDI IN terminal of this keyboard.

To use a computer or other MIDI device to record and playback the MIDI data produced by this keyboard, you must connect the MIDI IN and MIDI OUT terminals of both machines in order to send and receive data.

MIDI IN

MIDI IN

MIDI OUT

MIDI OUT

 

Computer etc.

648U-E-031A

MIDI Channels

MIDI allows you to send the data for multiple parts at the same time, with each part being sent over a separate MIDI channel. There are 16 MIDI channels, numbered 1 through 16, and MIDI channel data is always included whenever you exchange data (key press etc.).

Both the sending machine and the receiving machine must be set to the same channel for the receiving unit to correctly receive and play data. If the receiving machine is set to Channel 2, for example, it receives only MIDI Channel 2 data, and all other channels are ignored.

With this keyboard, messages received over MIDI Channels 1, 2, 3, 4, and 10 can be used for multi-timbre play of up to five different instrument parts. The tone and volume settings for these five channels must be controlled by messages sent from an external device.

Conversely, keyboard operations are sent to external devices over MIDI Channel 1.

General MIDI

General MIDI standardizes MIDI data for all sound source types, regardless of manufacturer. General MIDI specifies such factors as tone numbering, drum sounds, and available MIDI channels for all sound sources. This standard makes it possible for all MIDI equipment to reproduce the same nuances when playing General MIDI data, regardless of the manufacturer of the sound source.

Though the sound source of this keyboard is not General MIDI compatible, you can still connect the keyboard to a computer or other MIDI equipment to playback General MIDI data that is widely available in stores, over computer networks, and from other sources.

❚NOTE

•General MIDI data made up of a large number of parts may not play correctly on this keyboard.

•You will have most success playing back General MIDI data that has few parts and is made up of parts on channels 1, 2, 3, 4, and 10.

Messages

There is a wide variety of messages defined under the MIDI standard, and this section details the particular messages that can be sent and received by this keyboard.

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Contents RadioShack Corporation Limited One-Year WarrantyFort Worth, Texas FCC Warning Symbols Safety PrecautionsAlkaline Batteries Plastic Bags Relocating the Product Display Screen Step Lesson System Main FeaturesContents General Guide Attachment of Score Stand Tones listAbout the Display Accessories and OptionsPlay the melody part on the keyboard Quick ReferenceTw i n k l e Press the button or buttonImportant Battery Information Power SupplyUsing batteries Using the AC AdaptorPower On Alert Auto Power OffTo disable Auto Power Off and power on Alert Sustain Jack Using the Microphone JackConnections Phones/Output JackRecommended Microphone Type To switch power on and offTo change tones Press the Tone buttonDigital Sampling Keyboard split tonesExample To tune the keyboard Other Useful FunctionsPolyphony To change the key of the keyboardTo select and play a rhythm Playing the demo tunes Playing rhythmsTo start demo tune play Using the Concert Chord system Using auto-accompanimentAbout the accompaniment keyboard Use the POWER/MODE selector to select Using standard fingeringsTo play a Concert Chord auto Accompaniment To play a Fingered auto-accompaniment Improvising with the preset patternsUsing fill-in rhythm Using Synchro startTo play a built-in tune Using 3-Step Lesson SystemStep Lesson System Tempo Setting Step Lesson SystemTwo-hand Tune Crossed Finger IndicationsKey Lighting During Song Play Auto-accompaniment TuneTo turn voice fingering guide on and off Voice Fingering GuideNumber of Simultaneously Lit Keys Timing IndicatorUsing the Timing Indicator Turning Off Key LightingPress the button Master the timingTo stop play at any time, press the START/STOP button Play at normal speed Master the melodyPlay the notes indicated by the 3-Step Lesson System Press the , , or button To practice the left hand partMidi Channels What is MIDI?General Midi Midi ConnectionsEffect Control Number Program ChangeLocal Control Off Use the Tempo button to turn off local controlUse the Tempo button to turn on local control Local Control OnTechnical Reference TroubleshootingCause Action See TUNE/LOCAL Control Symptom Cause Action SeeSpecifications Avoid heat, humidity or direct sunlight Care of Your KeyboardGM Tone Map List AppendixTone No./Tone Name GM No Rock LATIN/VARIOUS Rhythm ListFingered Chord Charts Chords with same component notes as B dim7 648U-E-042A 648U-E-043A 648U-E-044A 648U-E-045A 100 Transmitted Recognized Remarks 4,10 Mode3 Mode3 36-96
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