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The 2025 MIDI Innovation Awards are now open

What are the midi innovation awards?

The MIDI Innovation Awards, established in 2021, celebrate groundbreaking advancements in MIDI  technology.

Organized collaboratively by The MIDI Association, NAMM, and Music Hackspace, the awards highlight innovative products and projects that utilize MIDI 1.0 and 2.0 in novel ways, emphasizing MIDI’s role in fostering musical creativity.

The awards are open to individuals, artists, and companies working with MIDI to develop innovative products or interactive experiences. Categories include:

  • Commercial Hardware Products
  • Commercial Software Products
  • Prototypes and Non-Commercial Hardware Products
  • Prototypes and Non-Commercial Software Products
  • Artistic/Visual Projects or Installations
  • NEW: Best MIDI 2.0 product (across all categories)

Winners gain opportunities to present their innovations on a global stage, with prizes such as exhibition spaces at major events like the NAMM Show, and Music China. They also receive support from The MIDI Association for developing MIDI 2.0 prototypes.

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

Timeline
  • March 18th: Registrations open
  • July 08th, 2025: Registrations close
  • July 14th, 2025: Voting starts
  • August 04th, 2025: Voting closes, jury deliberation starts
  • August 08th, 2025: Finalists announced
  • September 20th, 2025: Live show online – winners revealed

    watch The 2024 MIDI Innovation Awards Show

    the 2024 MIDI Innovation Award WINNERS


    Here are the winners of the 2024 MIDI Innovation Awards.

    A number of the 2024 winners were focused on music accessibility including UniMIDIHub, GEP Contraption and the Arcana Strum.

    Click on the link below to learn more about The MIDI Association’s Music Accessibility Standard Special Interest group (MASSIG).


    Inclusive MIDI controller that enables music creation using typing-keyboards, MIDI-controllers, game controllers, eye-trackers, empowering diverse abilities with versatile MIDI control in education, therapy, and beyond.
    Particle Shrine is an immersive installation that utilises bespoke technology to transmute live cosmic ray data into a range of kinetic, audio and visual outputs.
    Grid-based non-linear deterministic MIDI sequencer that controls like a game but generates ideas like a jam partner
    MIDI touchless instrument and controller for performances, education, and physical therapy.
    The Arcana Strum: A groundbreaking, inclusively designed music instrument empowering individuals with disabilities to engage in music education and creative expression seamlessly


    The Finalists in the 2024 MIDI Innovation Awards

    Inclusive MIDI controller that enables music creation using typing-keyboards, MIDI-controllers, game controllers, eye-trackers, empowering diverse abilities with versatile MIDI control in education, therapy, and beyond.
    Unlock new dimensions of musical meaning with Sonification Tools: transform any data into mesmerizing melodies or modulation, seamlessly bridging music, science, and art.
    ShowMIDI is a multi-platform GUI application to effortlessly visualize MIDI activity.
    seqMPEror is a polyphonic and fully MPE-compatible creative sequencer. Explore creative, non-linear, non-repetitive, expressive and innovative polyphonic MPE gestural adventure. MPE inclusive for all.
    ppff, acronym for “pianissimo-fortissimo”, is a generative audiovisual installation where a MIDI player piano receives its musical information from an ever-changing rainfall of generative graphics.
    Partymaker: Accordion Synthesizer is a set of electronics that adds synthesizer capabilities to the traditional acoustic accordion.
    Particle Shrine is an immersive installation that utilises bespoke technology to transmute live cosmic ray data into a range of kinetic, audio and visual outputs.
    Discover an innovative Max/MSP ambient music generator that crafts continuously evolving soundscapes with algorithmic modulation, dual synthesizers, and immersive effects for limitless creative potential.
    Grid-based non-linear deterministic MIDI sequencer that controls like a game but generates ideas like a jam partner
    Groove Builders® revolutionize quantization, offering effortless groove customization inspired by top producers. Say goodbye to robotic beats and hello to unparalleled personal rhythmic diversity.
    MIDI touchless instrument and controller for performances, education, and physical therapy.
    Digital Flex Accordion is a compact, lightweight, wireless-enabled digital button accordion with breath controller, velocity sensitive keyboards, and auto-accompaniment for music creation anywhere, anytime.
    Discover Chorda by Artiphon: an expressive MIDI controller that lets you create music by strumming chords, tapping melodies, and creating rhythms with intuitive, touch-sensitive pads.
    The Arcana Strum: A groundbreaking, inclusively designed music instrument empowering individuals with disabilities to engage in music education and creative expression seamlessly
    Zildjian is proud to introduce a series of revolutionary electronic drum kits, featuring groundbreaking cymbal trigger technology. Introducing Zildjian ALCHEM-E… an immersive, elevated, electronic experience.

    The 2024 MIDI Innovation Award Categories

    Click on a category to see all the 2024 entries.