The MIDI Association is the world’s top non-profit trade organization that connects the companies who develop new MIDI products and specifications with all the people across the globe who use MIDI products to create captivating music and art.
AMEI is made up of 26 Japanese companies that have worked with The MIDI Association for over 40 years to help produce MIDI specifications. This presentation provides background information and current AMEI goals.
Florian Bomers introduces the Bome MIDI products—Bome MIDI Translator Pro, Bome Network, and the BomeBox—and demonstrates how they can be used individually or together to enable advanced MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0 routing, processing, and control. Using real-world examples, he shows practical solutions before highlighting what’s new and offering an exclusive look at what’s coming in 2026.
Metronaut is an AI-powered learning and practice app for musicians of every level.
It works with any acoustic or MIDI instrument or voice, providing high-quality orchestral and piano accompaniments that adapt in real time to the player’s tempo and expression. By following both the score and the performance simultaneously, Metronaut creates a responsive practice experience that helps musicians practice musically, receive feedback, and progress more efficiently.
Windows MIDI Services is the new MIDI API, Service, Tools, and SDK rolling out to retail Microsoft Windows throughout the next month. Pete Brown and Gary Daniels from Microsoft will show off Windows MIDI Services top features for musicians and developers, explain some of what is going on under the hood, and then answer your questions.
Rolf Wöhrmann is presenting the MIDI 2.0 implementation in Waldorf’s Iridium and Quantum synthesizer product line.
High-resolution performance data and per-note polyphonic pitch-bend & parameter control transforms these instruments on another level of expressiveness.
By this Waldorf Music is giving musicians a forward-looking instrument paired with a polyphonic aftertouch keybed.
Rolf will discuss the technical background as well as musical implications.
More than just master keyboards, the SL MK2 series is a new chapter in musical keyboard controllers. From the innovative UX Logic interface, seamless integration with the Numa Player, high-definition MIDI 2.0, to the immersive realism of our new keybeds, every detail is crafted to bring your music to life
Using the instrument’s hyper expressive surface and MPE workflow, he builds a full set in real time through dynamic drums, evolving synth lines, and ethereal textures; showcasing creative expression using the Erae 2 as both instrument and controller
PopuPiano is a portable, modular smart piano keyboard for learning and creating music, featuring illuminated keys, app integration with AI features, and MIDI/Bluetooth connectivity, making it ideal for beginners to advanced users who want a compact, interactive, and versatile instrument for practice and production. It offers gamified lessons, AI-generated melodies, built-in sounds, and can function as a MIDI controller
Join members of the Transport working group as the highlight the latest progress on MIDI 2.0 transports for Bluetooth, Web MIDI and updates to the Network spec to add remote management capabilities.
The MIDI Project Container File format is intended to deliver multiple tracks of MIDI data and other media. The set of tracks and media used in the file are enumerated and arranged in a Manifest file in XML format.
Media types supported include:
● MIDI Clip Files (for MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0)
● Musical Notation (MusicXML or PDF )
● Audio Files
● Video Files
● Lyrics: may be in MIDI Clip Files and/or in Musical Notation files.
● Metadata - XML and MIDI Message
The MIDI Association is working on a modular set of MIDI 2.0 DAW Control Profiles intended to eventually replace Mackie Control with a unified industry standard for all hardware and software.
The modular approach was taken because of the wide variety of capabilities of DAW controllers from simple start, stop and record buttons to elaborate devices with multiple displays.
The MIDI Association has worked on two Drum Profiles in 2025.
The Default Drum Note Map Profile specifies 62 Drum/Percussion Sounds mapped to Specified Note Numbers.
This is the common GM based mapping in many Drum Machines and Synthesizers since the 1980s.
This Profile was adopted in the fall of 2025.
The Drum Performance Profile is focused on the more advanced features available in electronic drums kits which have positional sensing for cymbals and drums and complex hihat configurations.
The Drum Performance Profile design is complete and it should be approved in Q1 of 2026.
The Piano Profile standardizes the velocity and pedal curves and the registered controllers used to control a piano's performance via MIDI.
The model is based on the acoustic piano which is why it was important to have Kawai, Steinway and Yamaha involved in the project.
Join Kawai Artist David Snyder and Steinway Artist John Beasley as they explore the creative possibilities that the Piano Profile opens up.
The MIDI Association will show a working demo of the Orchestral Articulation Profile at NAMM 2026.
This profile will standardize the method for embedding articulations directly into the MIDI 2.0 Note On message.
Chuck Sutton live on Push 3 & the Orchid
Cloudchord (Derek VanScoten) is a producer, guitarist, and genre-bending architect of atmospheric dance and chillhop, blending jazz, classical guitar, and left-field hip-hop into a blissfully hypnotic sound that has earned over 100 million streams and an Emmy for his documentary scoring work.
Youngteam
Will’s relationship with the guitar began early and quickly grew into a lifelong pursuit of musical expression, shaped by jazz studies with LA session icon Steve Watson and further refined at the New School for Jazz in New York.
DATSUNN is a prolific content creator and producer known for Twitch streams, viral beat-making videos, and collaborations with brands like Native Instruments and Roland, drawing listeners in with an entrancing blend of classic hip-hop, soul, and R&B.
OddKidOut
OddKidOut is a Philadelphia-based multi-instrumentalist, DJ, and producer whose dark, percussion-driven electronic sound grew from a childhood spent drumming in touring bands before evolving into finger-drumming and Ableton-based production, creating music for the underdog with a signature blend of grit and lush atmosphere.
The MIDI Association is proud to invite NAMM attendees to a special Lifetime Achievement Awards Ceremony honoring pioneers whose work helped define MIDI, computer music, and modern music production.
• Chris Adam — Co-founder of C-Lab and Emagic, key architect behind Notator and Logic
• Roy Elkins — Connector of artists, technology, and community across the global music ecosystem
• Greg Hendershott — Founder of Cakewalk, who democratized MIDI sequencing on personal computers
• David Kusek — Founder of Passport Designs and pioneer of computer music and MIDI education
• Gerhard Lengeling — Co-founder of C-Lab and Emagic, creator of Logic and architect of modern DAWs
• Dave Oppenheim — Co-founder of Opcode Systems and pioneer of MIDI sequencing and DAW workflows
• Charlie Steinberg — Founder of Steinberg, visionary behind modern MIDI sequencing and virtual studios
• Emile “Dr. T” Tobenfeld — Algorithmic music innovator who expanded MIDI’s creative boundaries
Join us at The MIDI Association Booth 10302 at the front of Hall A as we highlight The MIDI Innovation Awards winners for 2025.
Meet all the musical instrument, software and app innovators at NAMM! Everyone gets the mic in this networking session. Introduce yourself, connect faces to names, then break to network one on one.
SoundGirls was established to provide women working in professional audio a community to come to for support and advice, and for empowerment and inspiration.
Our goal is to raise awareness about MIDI in education at schools (secondary, college and university, and pro schools), MIDI Musical Instrument manufacturers and Dealers who sell MIDI products.
We think everyone should be able to experience the joy of making music.
We brought together music accessibility experts from all over the world to meet regularly & discuss how to make digital musical instruments more accessible.
Rampd will bring a number of artists to perform at The MIDI Association Booth 10302 on Saturday, January 24 right after the Music Accessibility event.