MIDI 30th Anniversary Exhibit Display highlights historical significance of the communication interface in music making
Carlsbad, CA (December 3, 2013) — Commemorating 30 years of facilitating the creation of music, MIDI technology debuts a display at the Museum of Making Music that will be on exhibit now through 2014 at NAMM headquarters in Carlsbad, CA. The display invites Museum patrons to experience Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) technology personally, using a touch screen interface and a fun-to-play YouRock Guitar. YouRock donated the interactive instrument, which effectively demonstrates the versatility of MIDI technology when applied to an instrument. The display also incorporates early MIDI-compatible synthesizers, keyboards and MIDI-enabled instruments to illustrate the early manifestations of the technology over the years.
“The NAMM Museum of Making Music’s mission is to celebrate the accomplishments and impact of the music products industry,” said the Museum’s executive director Carolyn Grant. “Few innovations in recent years have as far-reaching an effect as MIDI has had on our world. We are excited to share its history with our visitors and to encourage them to learn about MIDI not only through words and pictures, but through hands-on experience.”
This innovative and groundbreaking communication interface protocol that makes music more accessible and gives musicians a vast array of expressive tools, was first demonstrated at the NAMM Show in 1983. Originally developed for composing and creating music, MIDI technology has evolved in the last 30 years to include applications for computers, cell phones, interactive games, and other electronic products. MIDI was awarded a coveted Technical GRAMMY Award in 2013.
“MIDI dramatically changed music-making 30 years ago when two competing manufacturers enabled their electronic keyboards to ‘talk’ to each other,” said Tom White, President/CEO of the MIDI Manufacturers Association (MMA). “MIDI makes it possible for musicians to do more by giving them control over multiple instruments (and sounds) at one time, and by enabling computers (including some tablets and smart phones) to record, edit, and notate musical performances,” he said. “This exhibit shows the evolution of MIDI products, and demonstrates why MIDI will continue to have a significant impact on the musical instrument business in the future.”
MIDI applications have become increasingly ubiquitous in the writing and performance of popular recorded music. MIDI-equipped electronic keyboards (aka “synthesizers”), computers using sequencers and digital audio workstations, digital drums, strings, guitars and other MIDI-enabled instruments continue to make creating a broad spectrum of music accessible to more musicians and composers.
About The Museum of Making Music
The Museum of Making Music shares the dynamic history of the music products industry from its beginnings at the turn of the 20th century to today. Through unique exhibitions and interactive experiences, it inspires visitors of any age to explore the underlying connections between people, instruments and music, and fosters active music making as a path to enrichment and understanding. Visit the museum’s website at www.museumofmakingmusic.org or call 760-438-5996.
Media Contact: B.J Morgan
bjm@museumofmakingmusic.org
760 438 8007 x170