The MIDI community lost one of its early pioneers with the passing of Jim Cooper, founder of JLCooper Electronics and a former President of the MIDI Manufacturers Association.
Jim passed away on January 5, 2026, (but the announcement only came out on March 16, 2026) leaving behind a legacy that spans the birth of MIDI, the evolution of electronic instruments, and the professionalization of control systems across music, broadcast, and post-production.
Jim Cooper: Engineering the Language of Modern Music
Jim Cooper’s path into music technology began at UCLA, where he worked in the university’s electronic music studio—maintaining systems, teaching, and developing a deep understanding of emerging synthesis technologies.
He later became Chief Engineer at Oberheim Electronics, contributing to landmark instruments including the SEM, the Two-Voice and Four-Voice systems, and the OB-X polyphonic synthesizer.
- SEM (Synthesizer Expander Module)
- Two-Voice and Four-Voice systems
- OB-X polyphonic synthesizer
These instruments helped define the sound of an era and established Jim as one of the most respected engineering minds in electronic music.
A Founding Force Behind MIDI
Jim Cooper was part of the generation of engineers and visionaries who helped establish MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)—a standard that forever changed how musical instruments communicate.
Beyond his technical contributions, Jim also served as an early President of the MIDI Manufacturers Association, helping guide the organization during a formative period when MIDI was transitioning from a bold idea into a global standard.
His leadership helped foster collaboration across competing manufacturers—one of the defining characteristics that made MIDI successful.
JLCooper Electronics: Expanding MIDI Beyond Music
In 1979, Jim founded JLCooper Electronics, initially focused on accessories for the emerging synthesizer market.
The company quickly became synonymous with innovation in:
- MIDI controllers and synchronizers
- Mixer automation systems
- Control surfaces for DAWs and broadcast
- Video and post-production control systems
- Specialized industrial and aerospace control solutions
Over time, JLCooper products became essential tools not just in music studios, but in television, film editing, radio, and beyond.
The ‘Inside View’: A Practical Engineer’s Mindset
In his classic interview, Inside Views: J.L. Cooper, Jim’s approach stood out for its practicality:
- Focus on solving real workflow problems
- Build tools that musicians and engineers actually need
- Bridge the gap between technical systems and creative use
This mindset helped define an entire category of hands-on MIDI control, influencing everything from early sequencer control boxes to modern DAW controllers.
Jim Cooper was part of the generation that didn’t just adopt MIDI—they built it.
Leadership in the MIDI Community
Jim Cooper’s presidency of the MIDI Manufacturers Association came at a critical time:
- MIDI adoption was accelerating globally
- Manufacturers needed alignment on implementation
- The ecosystem required both technical clarity and diplomacy
Jim brought both.
His engineering credibility and collaborative mindset helped ensure that MIDI remained open, interoperable, and industry-driven—principles that continue to define MIDI today, including in the transition to MIDI 2.0.
A Lasting Legacy
Jim Cooper’s impact can be seen in every corner of modern music production:
- Every MIDI-controlled instrument
- Every DAW control surface
- Every synchronized audio/video workflow
He was part of the generation that didn’t just adopt MIDI—they built it, shaped it, and ensured its success.
Remembering Jim Cooper
Jim is survived by his family and by a global community of engineers, musicians, and developers who continue to build on the foundation he helped create.
At The MIDI Association, we recognize Jim Cooper not only as a past President, but as a true pioneer whose work helped define the language of modern music technology.
Special thanks and photo credits to Paul Gilby of Sound On Sound for the picture used in the article’s featured image and for his excellent interview with Jim from 1987 linked below.
https://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/inside-views-j-l-cooper/2516