2025 MIDI Innovations Awards Prototype/Noncommercial Software
This is for software products that are free, are prototypes, or have not yet achieved $250,000 in sales.
This category was designed for startups, non-profits and prototypes so they would not have to compete directly with larger commercial entities.
Click on the entry name for more details.
vguitar 2.9
Virtual Guitar – Play guitar in any linux terminal.
Human friendly, input, and readable. Distributed via GNU copyleft license.
Tonalign
You’re only ever a half step from the right note. Tonalign makes that correction for live MIDI, following harmony wherever it moves in real time.
FretMorpher
A virtual Fretboard with moveable frets and tuneable strings that combines the MIDI and Analog streams of a MIDI string instrument for Realtime exploration.
MIDI Piano & Guitar Chords
Free, open-source music theory suite. Connect any MIDI keyboard to detect chords, visualize intervals, and explore the circle of fifths.
LumaDeck Web
LumaDeck Web turns a supported browser into a live visual instrument controlled by MIDI, separating performer controls from clean audience output without installing an application.
REFLECT
REFLECT is an evidence-based serious game that transforms arm and hand movements into accessible music creation and engaging physical rehabilitation in virtual reality.
LiteWebSynth
LiteWebSynth is a WordPress GM/GS/XG synthesizer featuring a Timbre Editor (GM mode), SoundFonts Editor (GS/XG mode), and a built-in sequencer.
Sleight
Sleight turns MIDI 1.0 keyboard into a per-note MIDI 2.0 expressive controller using a webcam, bend, vibrato and timbre on individual notes, no new hardware.
MusicNote Haven MIDI Manager
MusicNote Haven MIDI Manager helps keyboard players and MIDI collectors index, search, listen to, organize and preserve large MIDI/KAR archives safely.
TONAVA
TONAVA unites harmonic visualization, microtonal performance, synthesis, sampling, and global tuning in one integrated educational and creative MIDI software workstation for music creators and educators.
Phylo
A “concept DAW” for the creation of music as code for the web, with generative features and MIDI2.0.
XPI – Gamepad MIDI Input
Transform standard game controllers into expressive, low-latency polyphonic MPE instruments and intelligent harmony workstations for macOS.
Quill
Quill is an eyedropper for sound: capture an instrument’s tone and playing style in seconds, then play it on your MIDI keyboard, slides and all.
Midilo – Flow-based, MIDI-first looping
Midilo is the world’s first looper with MPE support: capture expressive performances, transform them into new loops in real time, and perform evolving arrangements live.
Modulix
Modulix is a live Audio Unit host for Mac, blending the immediate workflow of a stage keyboard with the deep MIDI routing of a workstation.
midi2.diy: A Portable MIDI 2.0 Stack for Embedded Systems
A portable MIDI 2.0 stack for embedded systems: zero-allocation C99 core, C++17 wrapper, 29 recipes. From DIY to professional, build your own instruments. midi2.diy
MNS Music Engine
MNS Music Engine transforms adaptive behaviour into original, generative music in real time, making sophisticated music creation and interaction accessible through MIDI.
SampleConductor
SampleConductor is a generative sampling instrument that transforms any sample into inspiring chopped progressions, helping producers find ideas fast and turn creative blocks into momentum.
Alien Instruments Studio
Alien Instruments Studio makes music creation accessible, combining adaptable sequencing, intelligent composition tools, keyboard navigation, screen-reader support, customisable interface, clear feedback that empowers creative workflows.
Trencadís App
Trencadis is an app that turns the camera feed into music by picking up the colors of the image and translating them into musical notes.
MIDIWeb
MIDIWeb enables browser based music making via WebMIDI on iOS, visionOS and macOS. A music-focused browser for hardware synths, controllers, utilities and education.
Ensemble Jammer
Anyone can improvise together in under a minute. A suite of touch instruments shares one evolving harmony, so no note can ever be wrong.
MIDI2 Monitor MK2
MIDI2 Monitor MK2 decodes MIDI 1.0/2.0 traffic into plain English in real time, with spoken narration for hands-free monitoring.
GrooveConductor
GrooveConductor is a gesture-driven generative MIDI instrument that lets you shape drums and bass from one expressive surface in real time.
ESP-NOW MIDI & enomik (ESP-NOW MIDI Kit)
Wireless MIDI without Bluetooth pain. Build your own MIDI device with our zero-programming editor, fully SysEx-configurable, with library and optional dev boards.
Conductor
Conductor is a MIDI 2.0 plug-in host built on our patented divisi process. Play and mix an entire virtual orchestra at once, in real time.