whether you are a Whether you're a modular synth nerd or the bassist of a troglodyte doom metal band, the chances that you've got an instrument that uses MIDI are nearly 100 percent at this point. The communications protocol is more than 40 years old, yet it has hardly changed since Roland, Oberheim and the heads of Sequential Circuits collaborated on a universal language that musical instruments could use to talk to each other. Its low-tech nature is its greatest strength, making it a quick and reliable way to control a rack of synths or guitar pedals without taking up much digital bandwidth. MIDI is great because it hasn't evolved at all.
What Is There's a cottage industry of evolved musical accessories that use MIDI to do wild and wonderful things beyond interchangeable digital keyboards. Are you willing to adjust filters and delay times with the swipe of your hand like a deranged conductor? There's a MIDI gadget for that. Do you idolize U2's The Edge and their ability to drastically change the tone of their guitar with just the pressure of one foot? There's a MIDI pedal for that. Wouldn't you want to walk around a fortress of synths like Keith Emerson, so you can access an organ and an electric keyboard for that wedding ceremony on the horizon? There is a MIDI controller for that.
MIDI devices come in all shapes and sizes, and I've tested dozens in my decade-long search for a setup that's intuitive, robust, and easy on my back pain. I'm interested in both guitar effects and amateur synth shenanigans, so heavy preference is given to items that can double dip into both worlds for a spartan setup. Some are inspiring and quirky, while others are unglamorous and utilitarian, yet completely necessary for an ever-growing rig with complex routing and connections. My approach to this entire setup may need to be reevaluated once the upcoming MIDI 2.0 protocol gets off the ground, but until then here's a list of my most beloved MIDI gear that I work with on a daily basis.
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