What are the advantages and disadvantages of using MIDI vs audio formats for music production?

En la actualidad, el protocolo MIDI (Interfaz Digital de Instrumentos Musicales) sigue siendo esencial en el mundo de la música y la producción audiovisual. Aunque fue creado en la década de 1980, su utilidad persiste y se expande, puesto que facilita la comunicación entre instrumentos musicales, controladores, software y hardware. El MIDI proporciona una interfaz estandarizada para la transmisión de datos musicales, brindando flexibilidad y compatibilidad entre dispositivos de diferentes fabricantes. Además, el MIDI ha evolucionado con el tiempo, incorporando mejoras como el protocolo MPE (MIDI Polifónico Expresivo), que permite una expresividad aún mayor.

In practice, MIDI is a great way for aspiring musicians to showcase their compositional abilities without the need to spend on session musicians, studio time, and equipment. MIDI instruments are accessible from any DAW and enable new creators to develop in-depth knowledge, including VST parameters (to tweak the base sound) and intricate MIDI automation (to achieve realism). MIDI also offers great adaptability. A MIDI region can be modified at the individual note level, and the information can be directly applied to any sound you desire—whether it's a horn, string, synth, or piano. The options are truly limitless. A MIDI region can undergo pitch shifting and tempo changes without requiring flex timing, as is necessary with audio.

Advantages of MIDI:easily editable,change instruments,notes and dynamics without re-recording/smaller files than audio recordings/Precise control over musical parameters/widely supported across DAWs and music hardware.Disadvantages of MIDI:Sound Quality:depends on the sound module or virtual instrument/limited compared to live recordings/requires MIDI programming knowledgeAdvantages of Audio Formats:Sound Quality: Captures nuances of live performances/Realism: Ideal for vocals and acoustic instruments/Simplicity: Easier for non-MIDI users Disadvantages of Audio Formats:Editability: Limited post-recording editing/File Size: Larger than MIDI/Performance: More resource-intensive editing.

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a communication protocol used to connect electronic musical instruments, controllers, and computers. It transmits data such as note information, pitch, velocity, and control signals, allowing devices to communicate and synchronize with each other.

MIDI can be converted into audio files if needed, and the engineering capabilities of MIDI-controlled audio technology is quickly improving. More tech is being created that can also convert audio into MIDI formats, meaning more customization for music producers and composers. MIDI can also be used to allow access to the digital workspace for musicians who compose using software, or electronic versions of instruments using hardware (EWI/EVI, etc). The main advantage for audio formats is the sound quality, which A.I. might be able to reproduce for MIDI in the upcoming years.

Audio refers to sound that is recorded, reproduced, or transmitted. In music production, audio is typically captured using microphones or direct inputs and stored in digital formats like WAV or MP3. It represents the actual sound waves produced by musical instruments, vocals, or other sources.

Audio is the heart of everything I do—it's the raw sound captured and shaped into music. Unlike MIDI, which is like a set of instructions, audio is the real deal: the actual sound waves you can hear. Whether it's a guitar riff recorded through a microphone or a synth line from my studio, audio captures the essence of those sounds. Working with different formats like WAV or MP3 lets me fine-tune the quality and feel of my music, ensuring it reaches listeners just as I intended.

Una ventaja clave del protocolo MIDI es su capacidad para realizar grabaciones sin consumir grandes cantidades de espacio de almacenamiento, ya que registra eventos y comandos en lugar de datos de audio. Además, el MIDI facilita la automatización en la producción musical, permitiendo programar cambios precisos en parámetros como volumen, panorámica y modulación. Su interoperabilidad es otra ventaja, ya que puede conectar y sincronizar diferentes dispositivos MIDI con facilidad. También incorpora la posibilidad de realizar ediciones no destructivas, lo que significa que se pueden ajustar las grabaciones sin afectar la grabación original.

Adaptability is the key advantage here. You can always edit the notes, their timing, the tempo, the sound source, etc. until it sounds just right.

The good thing for me as composer in dealing with MIDI, is that I'm able to make adjustments on the dynamics and vibrato and using the mod wheel to write automations and making the instrument sounds more alive. also I can edit the notes in case I didn't like the harmony or I wanted to make one. and I can route different instruments or synths to the same MIDI and having multiple layers of the same progression or line. but on the other hand MIDI have in cons. one I would like to address is timing issues, particularly in big orchestral projects where things might be misaligned. And MIDI itself doesn't carry audio signals in just translate values into notes and sounds, and you might need to process your audio signal separately

As a film composer who relies heavily on MIDI, one of the biggest advantages I've experienced using MIDI over recorded audio is the unparalleled flexibility it provides in my creative process. With MIDI data, I can freely tweak the smallest parameters - from changing tempo and key to swapping instruments and effects on the fly - all without any loss of audio quality. And because MIDI files are so compact compared to audio recordings, they integrate seamlessly into my workflow across various studios, allowing me to easily layer and sequence tracks to build the complex, compelling scores my films require.

MIDI offers flexibility and versatility in music production. It allows for precise control over musical parameters, including pitch, timing, and dynamics. MIDI data can be easily edited, rearranged, and manipulated within a digital audio workstation (DAW), enabling quick experimentation and creative exploration. Additionally, MIDI enables the use of virtual instruments and software synthesizers, expanding the range of sounds and textures available to producers.

Only so much can be done with MIDI to achieve a realistic sounding acoustic track. While it can test your technical production abilities, creating a realistic sounding guitar track with MIDI is tough. It depends on the VSTs you have available. In the example of guitar, programming in finger noise, pitch bends, expression and human touch can prove (almost) impossible and is frankly very time consuming. Stock DAW VSTs tend to sound low quality and velocity parameters rarely alter anything but volume. External professional VSTs while a crucial tool at some point in a music production career, can be more expensive than picking up a guitar and learning yourself!

MIDI is a wonderful invention but always be sure to render your files. There is always the possibility that the softsynth that you used may become obsolete, not load properly the next time, you forget what sound you used for that track or you sell or no longer have access to the synth used for that track etc etc...!

While MIDI offers significant advantages, there are drawbacks, especially concerning its reliance on sound sources and playback devices. A significant challenge I face as a contemporary classical composer is that I can't provide MIDI exports to live musicians. MIDI data lacks information about timbre, tone, or expression, relying instead on the sound generator or synthesizer to produce sound. Consequently, the same MIDI data can sound vastly different on various devices, potentially not aligning with my intentions. Moreover, MIDI fails to capture the nuances of human performance, like breath, vibrato, or dynamics, often resulting in artificial or robotic-sounding renditions.

I think the easiest way to differentiate is to compare a classical recording with a pop recording. When you record an orchestra, you not only capture the sound of the instruments, you also capture the sound they make within an acoustic environment. The acoustic is part of the sound. And your recording needs to capture what it's like to be sitting in that hall or venue listening to that music. Pop, rock etc. are generally recorded in the studio where the acoustic is meant to be 'invisible' or 'dead' so that the mic only picks up the sound of the instrument and then the acoustic is added artificially afterwards. This is also where midi or digital instruments can be used because they are samples of the original instruments in a dry acoustic.

Audio recordings capture the authentic sound of live performances and acoustic instruments, preserving nuances and subtleties that MIDI may not replicate accurately. Audio offers a more natural and organic quality, making it ideal for capturing expressive performances and capturing the nuances of acoustic instruments. Additionally, audio recordings require minimal processing to achieve a polished and professional sound, making them suitable for quick and straightforward production workflows.

A vantagem do áudio é que é mais fácil obter uma performance satisfatória usando um instrumento real e uma pessoa do que com instrumentos eletr?nicos, quando estes est?o tentando imitar uma performance real. Mesmo que a pessoa n?o toque muito bem, o instrumento é real e a execu??o é real, e podemos editar no estúdio as imperfei??es da execu??o.

I am a firm believer that there is no true replacement for a recorded instrument. Taking the time to find the right microphone for a voice or instrument, placing it properly and capturing a performance are paramount to creating something truly special. With that said, there are accessibility drawbacks as well as creativity limitations. For example, a guitar player who has a fundamental understanding of music theory can use MIDI instruments to arrange a song. Having to think about the recording environment you are in, the equipment you're using and the placement of the microphones can certainly be viewed as a "disadvantage" of audio - at least from a barrier of entry to creativity standpoint.

Speaking from experience, there's no one-size-fits-all approach in music production. In my opinion, the key is finding the right balance between MIDI and audio techniques to achieve the desired result. Experimenting with different approaches and workflows can lead to exciting discoveries and creative breakthroughs.

There is no right answer when comparing using virtual/MIDI instruments to recorded audio. This is especially true when considering where in the music making journey someone is and what their intended purpose is for creating the music. Creators must consider: - Budget - Musical Ability - Recording Knowledge - Purpose and; - Access to various instruments / technology Among many other considerations. While I contend that there is no true replacement for recorded music, I also stand by the sentiment that it is important not to let gear (or the access to it) be the barrier/excuse to not create.

In my experience as a Live music composer, i found midi to be very helpful to me when composing, but when i need to send the idea i had to a performer, i have to export the music through a notation software and send him/her the audio export so they understand the vibe i was after.

Audio recordings capture authentic sounds with emotional impact, while MIDI offers versatility and flexibility in music creation. Advantages of audio include its realism and accessibility, but it can be limited by equipment and editing challenges. On the other hand, MIDI provides endless creative possibilities and seamless integration with digital workstations, but may lack authenticity and require a learning curve. While audio recordings may have storage and copyright concerns, MIDI instruments can face technical issues and creative constraints. Both audio and MIDI offer unique advantages and disadvantages, allowing musicians and producers to choose the best tools for their creative needs.