4. MIDI—A STANDARD, A REVOLUTION
In the early 80’s several leading manufacturers of electronic musical instruments developed a common standard, which was soon to revolutionize the entire MI industry—both from a technical and musical point of view. The MIDI standard (short for: Musical Instruments Digital Interface) was invented to allow musical instruments of different makes to communicate with each other. What is surprising in view of the rapidly developing MI industry is the fact that this standard has basically not changed ever since, because it was designed with future upgrades in mind. So, the MIDI interface’s range of applications could be expanded over the years: from the simple connection of several keyboard instruments to one master keyboard to connecting whole studios and live set-ups within a single MIDI network—MIDI has become an infinite source of ideas and innovation. Numerous musicians recognized the versatility of this standard and created new and exciting worlds of sounds by combining different instruments to one homogeneous whole. It is important to know that the MIDI interface transmits no audio signals but only control data (e.g. key, program change or volume numbers)! MIDI is just an interface for the control and networking of devices and instruments.
At the heart of this network you could use your FCB1010 to control all of your amplifiers, effects and peripheral devices. Live on stage and in the studio you could control your entire equipment in real time. MIDI control data can be stored and edited on a computer, so that you can also use your FCB1010 to enter controller and program change information into your computer.
4.1 MIDI connections
The MIDI connectors on the rear of the unit are on internationally standardized 5-pin DIN jacks. To connect your FCB1010 to other MIDI devices you need a dedicated MIDI cable. Usually, commercially available cables are used. However, you can also use a two-conductor shielded cable (e.g. microphone cable) and two (rugged) 180° DIN plugs to make your own MIDI cable: pin 2 (center) = shield, pins 4 and 5 (right and left of pin 2) = internal conductor, pins 1 und 3 (the two outer pins) are not used. MIDI cables should not be longer than 15 meters.
MIDI IN: serves to receive recorded system-exclusive data or to merge any MIDI signals with FCB1010-generated data.
+The FCB1010 has no dedicated MIDI THRU port. However, the data received at the MIDI IN can be routed to the MIDI OUT provided that the MERGE function is enabled (GLOBAL CONFIGURATION).
MIDI OUT: The MIDI OUT allows you to transmit data to any MIDI-compatible device/instrument.
4.2 MIDI data format
Although the FCB1010 is very easy to operate, it does make sense to know a few things about the format of MIDI data. Each MIDI command or message consists of up to three bytes (1 byte
=8 bits). There’s a difference between status bytes and data bytes: status bytes define the type of a specific MIDI message, i.e. the actual instruction to be sent to a device, while data bytes contain the information or parameters defined by the corresponding status byte. One status byte can be followed by up to two data bytes.
There are various types of MIDI messages. Since the FCB1010 does not understand or transmit all of them, we will only deal with those that are of importance to you in this context.
4.2.1 NOTE ON and NOTE OFF messages
NOTE ON and NOTE OFF messages are essential MIDI messages for any keyboard virtuoso, as they allow to control remote instruments from one master keyboard or computer. The FCB1010, too, can send NOTE ON messages, however, in a
different context: many effects devices allow for “tapping” delay times, etc., by measuring the time interval between two NOTE ON messages. With the FCB1010 you can “tap” delay times or song tempos by selecting a “NOTE” PRESET twice.
NOTE ON and NOTE OFF messages feature the following data
format: | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Note Off | &8n (n=channel #) | Note # | Velocity |
| Note On | &9n (n=channel #) | Note # | Velocity |
Tab. 4.1: Data format of NOTE ON and NOTE OFF
messages
The channel number range is 1 through 16, the data byte range is 0 through 127. It should be noted though that NOTE OFF messages are not so common today (for reasons of data reduction, cf. running status). Usually, NOTE ON messages with zero velocity are transmitted instead. The FCB1010 follows this convention. By the way: when you program the NOTE function on your FCB1010 you only need to enter the note number, because notes are always transmitted with a velocity of 64.
4.2.2 CONTROL CHANGE messages
CONTROL CHANGE messages are the most powerful MIDI messages, as they allow you to select and automate plenty of parameters and functions. On your FCB1010 you can define and transmit CONTROL CHANGE messages, e.g. to change specific effects parameters in real time. The most important CONTROL CHANGE messages are volume control (Controller 07), Balance (08), Panorama (09) and reverb intensity (91).
4.2.3 PROGRAM CHANGE messages
PROGRAM CHANGE messages are used to change presets or sounds in connected devices/instruments. The parameter range is 0 through 127.
The values 0 to 127 of the 128 presets are available. Equipment with more than 128 presets has these presets broken down into several banks for MIDI control.
With your FCB1010, it is possible to send MIDI bank and program change commands by using just one keystroke. An external piece of equipment (e.g. effects processor, sound module etc.) can be controlled via controllers 1 & 3 in connection with PRG 5 (PROG CHG). In doing so, controllers 1 & 2 are used as 2-byte bank select controllers, whereby up to 128 (MSB) x 128 (LSB) banks can be dialed in. Controller 1 needs to contain the number 00 and the MSB bank value, while controller 2 needs to contain the number 32 and the LSB bank value. The program change command that activates the preset in the new bank is sent with PRG 5.
Almost all devices have a list enclosed which shows the program change number versus preset number assignment. Some units even allow you to freely assign program change commands to preset numbers. Please see the corresponding user’s manual for detailed information.
