- MIDI 2.0 Unamiously Adopted -

[Jim Fogle]

At the MIDI Manufacturers Association (MMA) annual meeting during Winter NAMM 2020,  MMA members unanimously adopted MIDI 2.0 specifications including: MIDI Capability Inquiry, Universal MIDI Packet (UMP) Format and MIDI 2.0 Protocol, MIDI CI Profiles Rules, MIDI-CI Property Exchange Rules, Property Exchange Foundational Resources and Basic Resources.  Here's why that's big news for music technology.

MIDI 2.0 Means Two-way MIDI Conversations
MIDI 1.0 messages went in one direction: from a transmitter to a receiver. MIDI 2.0 is bi-directional and changes MIDI from a monologue to a dialog. For example, with the new MIDI-CI (Capability Inquiry) messages, MIDI 2.0 devices can talk to each other, and auto-configure themselves to work together. They can also exchange information on functionality.  MIDI 2.0 gear can find out if a device doesn't support MIDI 2.0, and then simply communicate using MIDI 1.0.

Higher Resolution, More Controllers and Better Timing
MIDI 2.0 re-imagines the role of performance controllers, the aspect of MIDI that translates human performance gestures to computer data. Controllers (CC) are now easier to use, and there are more of them: over 32,000 controllers, including controls for individual notes. Enhanced, 32-bit resolution gives controls a smooth, continuous, "analog" feel. New Note-On options were added for articulation control and precise note pitch. In addition, dynamic response (velocity) has been upgraded. What's more, major timing improvements in MIDI 2.0 can apply to MIDI 1.0 devices.  In fact, some MIDI 1.0 gear can even "retrofit" certain MIDI 2.0 features.

Profile Configuration
MIDI gear can now have Profiles that can dynamically configure a device for a particular use case. If a control surface queries a device with a "mixer" Profile, then the controls will map to faders, panpots, and other mixer parameters. But with a "drawbar organ" Profile, that same control surface can map its controls automatically to virtual drawbars and other keyboard parameters.  A device can also map to dimmers if the profile is a lighting controller. This saves setup time, improves workflow, and eliminates tedious manual programming.

Property Exchange
While Profiles set up an entire device, Property Exchange messages provide specific, detailed information sharing. These messages can discover, retrieve, and set many properties like preset names, individual parameter settings, and unique functionalities.  Basically, that means a MIDI 2.0 device will discover everything it needs to know about another MIDI 2.0 device.  For example, Cakewalk by Bandlab could display everything you need to know about a synthesizer onscreen, effectively bringing hardware synths up to the same level of recallability as their software counterparts.

[RBH]

Hopefully @Craig Anderton will chime in and spill some specific examples and advantages of Midi 2.0

[craigb]

I'll probably still need that little panic guy to turn off a stuck note though... ?

[Jim Fogle]

Hopefully the panic button will never go away.   You don't need it often but, like any good specialized tool, when you need it nothing else will do.

I'm most excited about two way communication enabling property exchange and profiles.

To visualize an example of what is possible think of how sound engines like Kontakt, SampleTank, UVI Workstation or Halion can assume the personality of whatever instrument is loaded into a library.  Now imagine connecting a surface controller controlling Cakewalk by BandLab which is acting as the host DAW.  When the piano roll view is opened the soft synth tells the piano roll view what it is so note values take on the names and colors from the VST.  The surface controller will reconfigure from controlling the DAW to controlling the VST.  Change the focus to another track and another VST and the PRV and surface controller follow.  If the VST uses an Eastern scale so will the PRV.

For Cakewalk by Bandlab the possibilities are endless.  Connect a midi device and it and the DAW have a dialog that sets everything up.  It just works.