Are you exploring new ways for musicians to interact with digital musical instruments? Have an idea for an original electronic instrument or controller? Trying to raise investment or attract attention for a new product? If you're looking to make waves in music technology, you need to know about The MIDI Innovation Awards.
In 2023, MIDI celebrates its 40th birthday. The universal language of synths, controllers, and electronic instruments, MIDI 1.0 revolutionised music in the 1980s. Now, MIDI 2.0 is poised to unleash a second revolution. Massively extended and reimagined for the computer age, yet fully backwards compatible, MIDI 2.0 opens up endless possibilities for creative developers.
A joint initiative created by Music Hackspace, The MIDI Association, and NAMM, The MIDI Innovation Awards are now in their third year. The Awards showcase products and projects that are using MIDI 1.0 and 2.0 in fresh and original ways, highlighting the role that MIDI technology has to play in enabling musical creativity.
Musicians and inventors around the world will have a unique opportunity to present their ideas on a global stage, and the winners will gain invaluable help in bringing their products to market. Prizes include an exhibition booth at the 2023 NAMM Show, coverage in Sound On Sound, an opportunity to exhibit at Music China, and significant support from The MIDI Association and Music Hackspace for the development of MIDI 2.0 prototypes.
The MIDI Innovation Awards welcomes entries from, but not limited to: MIDI instruments, controllers, software, art installation, MIDI peripherals, I/O boxes, lighting systems, automated systems, and more.
The jury has been assembled to represent the wider music industry and its many facets, including artists, engineers, and innovators. Entries will be judged on four attributes: innovation, inspiring and novel qualities, interoperability, and practical / commercial viability.
The 2022 MIDI Innovation Awards featured five distinct categories listed below. The winners were selected by the jury and are displayed in order.
Jean-Michel Jarre is a pioneering French composer and performer in electronic music, renowned for his innovative use of synthesizers and spectacular live performances.
Nina Richards is both an electronic musician and synth hardware designer based in the UK. Nina's been making electronic music for most of her life, in recent years with modular synths.
Roger Linn is an American engineer, musician, and inventor, celebrated for his pioneering work in electronic music instruments, including the LM-1 Drum Computer and the LinnStrument.
Michele Darling is a distinguished sound designer, composer, and educator, currently serving as the assistant chair of Electronic Production and Design at Berklee College of Music.
Bian Liunian is a Chinese composer and multi-instrumentalist, pioneering new Chinese folk music through his innovative fusion of traditional instruments and modern technology.
Pedro Eustache is a Venezuelan-born multi-directional soloist and composer, renowned for his expertise in flutes, reeds, and world winds, with a distinguished career in electronic music.
The Music Hackspace’s mission is to become the largest platform for learning music technologies. We are passionate about helping musicians develop their programming skills, host workshops led by world experts and enable the community to share knowledge and practices.
Founded in 1901, NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $17 billion music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music.
The MIDI Association is the non-profit community for both the companies who develop new MIDI specifications and products and the people that create music and art with MIDI. The MIDI.org website is the central repository of information about anything related to MIDI technology, from classic legacy gear to the next- gen MIDI protocols coming soon.