Product Description

In this book, the absolute beginner is introduced to the concept of MIDI by way of analogy with familiar technology. Myths relating to the dehumanization of music by computers are explored from both sides and information is introduced in a straightforward, logical order. A must for beginners, no confusing jargon.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #291893 in Books
• Published on: 2004-01-01
• Released on: 2004-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 220 pages

Customer Reviews

At Last
After reading about 20 books on the subject of MIDI and music technology, I found that "Midi for the Technophobe" is the only one written so that anyone can understand what is being explained. It is written as if the reader has absolutely no prior experience in the music technology field and explains each little word with care.

Perfect first MIDI read...
I've been a musician most of my life, and a computer and software engineer for over 15 years. I am NOT a technophobe, yet MIDI hasn't come easy for me. It is the only "science" that has given me fits... until now.

Mr. White's 'MIDI for the Technophobe' explains in simple terms how to make MIDI work. After the first 2 chapters I had a fundamental understanding of the connectivity & interaction between MIDI components.

It is a slow read at first, but it has to be to clarify what other books assume their readers can figure out for themselves. That's what makes this book so excellent for first-time and beginning MIDI users - it doesn't bury you in buzzwords, it buries you in visualizations on how it all connects and makes music.

A great book for the analog musician who wants to add MIDI synths, percussions and orchestrations to their recordings!

Not what I expected
This book provided only a minimal amount of information about midi programming and failed to explain most midi terms and how they define how midi works in a systematic way, e.g., it doesn't explain how system and control change fit into programming what you might want to do with midi. In other words, it did not focus on midi routing that much in any detailed or easy-to-understand way. I was hoping to see something like a tree diagram, instead, the author went on to describe things like envelope shaping, digital audio and effects processing.

On the whole this book would probably be too rudimentary for anyone who already owns a synthesizer or music software, as these modern day products help you to tweak sounds through user friendly programming within each device. However, I did pick up a few tips.