a list of techniques for making micro music in MIDI

Hey,

I'm compiling this because I thought something like this at one time
existed on the net (maybe by Joe Monzo?) but I couldn't find it after
a couple of days of searching through Google...please add to this if
you think it incomplete!

non-realtime:

1) for <=16 note scales, apply a pitch bend at the top of the MIDI
file for each channel, and then route the notes so each pitch has it's
own channel. If the instrument only responds to one MIDI channel,
record and mix separate audio tracks. If you need multiple timbres,
record and mix separate audio tracks.

2) put an instantaneous pitch bend in front of each note.
Polyphony/multi-timbral polyphony can be handled by using up to
16-channels. To get rid of pitch-bend artifacts due to long release
times and/or sustain pedalling, use channel-swapping. Only works where
each channel is a monophonic voice. If the instrument only responds to
one MIDI channel, record and mix separate audio tracks.

3) post-tune a MIDI file with software like SCALA, or some
adaptive-tuning software, which can do the channel-swapping for you.
Works best with mono-timbral parts. For some multi-timbral music using
this technique, record and mix separate audio tracks.

realtime:

4) Use synths/samplers that allow tuning tables and or realtime tuning
dumps. This allows for >12 notes per octave scales, and
non-octave-based scales if there is a keyboard mapping.

5) Use midi relaying software/hardware that will insert
pitch-bend/tuning messages into a live MIDI stream, either
automatically for adaptive tuning, or manually, as in using pedal
keyboards for indicating a tonic, etc.

Aaron Krister Johnson escreveu:
> Hey,
> > I'm compiling this because I thought something like this at one time
> existed on the net (maybe by Joe Monzo?) but I couldn't find it after
> a couple of days of searching through Google...please add to this if
> you think it incomplete!
> > non-realtime:

0) Set the frequency for each one of the 128 MIDI pitches, via Standard MIDI Tuning commands. If this is done once before start the note events, the range/resolution is limited to 128 pitches. One can change the frequencies dynamically, too.

Standard MIDI Tuning will not work with some MIDI devices.

> > 1) for <=16 note scales, apply a pitch bend at the top of the MIDI
> file for each channel, and then route the notes so each pitch has it's
> own channel. If the instrument only responds to one MIDI channel,
> record and mix separate audio tracks. If you need multiple timbres,
> record and mix separate audio tracks.

Actually, <=15 -- channel 10 is for percussion.

> > 2) put an instantaneous pitch bend in front of each note.
> Polyphony/multi-timbral polyphony can be handled by using up to
> 16-channels. To get rid of pitch-bend artifacts due to long release
> times and/or sustain pedalling, use channel-swapping. Only works where
> each channel is a monophonic voice. If the instrument only responds to
> one MIDI channel, record and mix separate audio tracks.

Up to 15 channels.

> > 3) post-tune a MIDI file with software like SCALA, or some
> adaptive-tuning software, which can do the channel-swapping for you.
> Works best with mono-timbral parts. For some multi-timbral music using
> this technique, record and mix separate audio tracks.
> > realtime:
> > 4) Use synths/samplers that allow tuning tables and or realtime tuning
> dumps. This allows for >12 notes per octave scales, and
> non-octave-based scales if there is a keyboard mapping. > > 5) Use midi relaying software/hardware that will insert
> pitch-bend/tuning messages into a live MIDI stream, either
> automatically for adaptive tuning, or manually, as in using pedal
> keyboards for indicating a tonic, etc.

Regards,
Hudson

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>> 1) for <=16 note scales, apply a pitch bend at the top of the MIDI
>> file for each channel, and then route the notes so each pitch has it's
>> own channel. If the instrument only responds to one MIDI channel,
>> record and mix separate audio tracks. If you need multiple timbres,
>> record and mix separate audio tracks.
>
>Actually, <=15 -- channel 10 is for percussion.

Channel 10 doesn't have to be for percussion, it's just a GM
recommendation.

And with a second MIDI bus or device that supports > 16 channels,
one gets more channels.

-Carl

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "Aaron Krister Johnson"
<aaron@...> wrote:
> realtime:
>
> 4) Use synths/samplers that allow tuning tables and or realtime tuning
> dumps. This allows for >12 notes per octave scales, and
> non-octave-based scales if there is a keyboard mapping.

Soft synths that load scala .tun or .scl files are becoming more
common. See the scala homepage for a list. This is probably the
easiest method (and will sound better than a midi file).

> 5) Use midi relaying software/hardware that will insert
> pitch-bend/tuning messages into a live MIDI stream, either
> automatically for adaptive tuning, or manually, as in using pedal
> keyboards for indicating a tonic, etc.

Of course the one pitch bend per channel rule also applies here.

Hudson,

{you wrote...}
>Standard MIDI Tuning will not work with some MIDI devices.

Standard MIDI Tuning (i.e. of the 128-note variety) will not work with *most* devices.

>Actually, <=15 -- channel 10 is for percussion.

Only for General MIDI usage. Channel 10 can be used by any MIDI device if you want it that way.

>Up to 15 channels.

See above.

Cheers,
Jon