Recording MIDI
Sam McGuire · 2019
The piano style keyboard controller is perhaps the most common way to record musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) data. Horizontal tracks that hold MIDI regions are the norm when it comes to digital audio workstation (DAW) design. Every DAW has a click track and it provides an aural cue for the performer to know the tempo and to perform in time. Many musicians prefer to use an alternate metronome solution such as an audio drum loop or percussion instrument. This creates a time keeper that is much closer to performing live with other musicians and can have excellent results. Picking the right instruments during recording is critical because it greatly affects the performance and the quality of the resulting MIDI data. Timing inaccuracies are often unnoticed and mistaken as imperfections in the performance but become more exaggerated when communicated through multiple stages. One of the keys to creating realistic sounding MIDI parts is to use additional performance control.