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Accepting submissions on March 26, 2024.

2024 MIDI Innovation

Awards

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 celebrated its 40th birthday. The universal language of synths, controllers, and electronic instruments, MIDI 1.0 revolutionized 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.

The MIDI Innovation Awards are also proud to work with partners including Sound On Sound, the world’s leading music technology magazine, and Music China, both contributing prizes for the competition.

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 2024 NAMM Show, Music China in Shanghai, Synthfest in Sheffield, press coverage in Sound On Sound, and significant support from The MIDI Association for the development of MIDI 2.0 prototypes.

The MIDI Innovation Awards are open to individuals, artists, and companies who work with MIDI to build innovative products or interactive experiences.

The 2024 MIDI Innovation Awards categories are:

  • Commercial Hardware Products
  • Commercial Software Products
  • Prototypes and non-commercial hardware products
  • Prototypes and non-commercial software products
  • Artistic/Visual Project or Installation

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.

Entries to the competition are open, and applicants are invited to submit their entry here- https://www.midi.org/awards-submit.

A jury is being 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.

Registration will close on 18th May 2024, and a public vote will begin in June 2024.

The winners will be announced at the end of the Summer 2024.