Musical Instrument Digital Interface – The MIDI Trinity

Musical Instrument Digital Interface – The MIDI Trinity

Officially, MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, and it was invented in 1982. These days, it refers to three components:

1. A physical connector – between electronic instruments and between electronic instruments and a MIDI controller, usually a keyboard. The connector takes the form of MIDI IN and MIDI OUT jacks form which MIDI cables can bet plugged into any electronic instruments (and you’d be surprised at how much music hardware out there today is MIDI-capable – almost every detachable keyboard is!)

2. A message format – this message format is the heart of MIDI. This format is made up not of the sounds themselves, but simply the commands that are issued by the MIDI keyboard to the electronic instruments telling them how to play a given song (“play the violin” “turn down the volume to XX”, “adjust the pitch to YY”, etc.)

With the above two components, a musician was able to control a string of musical instruments from a single keyboard, giving him a “one-man band” effect.

3. A storage format – in other words, MIDI files. This latecomer of the MIDI trinity was what really did the trick because it allowed musicians to record their creations and tweak them on many different parameters until they got it sounding just they way they wanted it. Without this, MIDI songs could not be played back, because since MIDI commands include only the instructions to the instrument on how to play the song and not the actual music itself, they cannot be recorded in audio format. Now MIDI files can be recorded, emailed, or even downloaded from the Internet.

A MIDI studio can now be produced in two ways – via hardware or software. The hardware version involves connecting a keyboard (using MIDI cables) to the MIDI jack of an electronic instrument and then stringing together up to 16 of these instruments in a “daisy chain” by way of their MIDI IN and MIDI OUT jacks. The software version keeps the MIDI keyboard (or other MIDI controller such as a MIDI guitar, etc.), while the instruments appear in virtual form on a computer screen (various software programs such as Reason, Logic, and Cubase can do this).

About Headaches

About Headaches

For many people, a headache is an infrequent annoyance that disappears after swallowing a few tablets. But for chronic headache sufferers, the effects can be far worse. The World Headache Alliance has fourteen different classifications of headaches, from tension headaches and Migraines to headaches caused by ocular diabetic neuropathy.
Three of the most common forms of chronic headaches are tension headaches, Migraines, and cluster headaches. The likelihood of being afflicted with different headache disorders seems to be gender-related, with women three times more likely to suffer from Migraines, and men four times more likely to get cluster headaches.
Cluster headaches are often called “suicide” or “ice pick” headaches due to the excruciating stabbing pain in or near the eyes. This type of headache disorder is rare, with less than 0.5% of the general population affected. Migraine, in comparison, affects roughly 10% of the population, causing pain that can range from irritating to debilitating. Most headaches (over 66%) are tension-related headaches with over 60% of people suffering at least one tension headache each year. Tension-related headaches, unlike Migraines and cluster headaches, generally produce a steady ache rather than intense throbbing or shooting pains.
The most common treatments for headaches are analgesics such as aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen. For more severe chronic headaches, however, a physician may prescribe antidepressants, muscle relaxers, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. With proper treatment, most headaches are gone within an hour or two, but in severe cases, the pain can last for days or even weeks without relief.

The Top Five 3DS Titles You Must Have In Your Collection

The Top Five 3DS Titles You Must Have In Your Collection

With Nintendo’s newest foray into the handheld market taking off, its library of games is expanding every month as it releases hit after hit. As the 3DS’ library stands now, there are some clear victors in the popularity contest between its current releases as well as titles that some fans are sitting on the edges of their seats in anticipation for. Here’s a list of the top 5 games for the 3DS that are either currently released or have a release date in the near future.

1. Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – The Legend of Zelda series has been a cornerstone in Nintendo’s lineup since the days of the NES with Ocarina of time sitting atop the list like a king on his throne, so it makes sense that fans are clamoring to get their hands on this portable re-release of their favorite title. Featuring slick, updated graphics, a remastered musical score, expansive environments given new depth using the 3DS’ stunning stereoscopic 3D, and AR elements like using the gyroscope to physically aim your projectile weapons with the 3DS itself, the Ocarina of Time re-release is something every 3DS owner should have in their collection.

2. Super Mario 3D Land – Mario is one of the most iconic characters in all of gaming’s history and he makes his newest splash hit on the 3DS. Super Mario 3D Land is a fusion of classic Mario gameplay mixed with the free roaming exploration style seen in super Mario Galaxy and the classic Super Mario 64. Super Mario 3D Land also makes full use of the 3D features of the 3DS with unique visual puzzles that pop out of the screen. If you’re a fan of Mario games or platformers in general, you’ll love this new Mario installment.

3. Resident Evil: Revelations – A decidedly more mature game, Resident Evil: Revelations sees the return of Chris and Jill of classic RE fame alongside all new characters as they explore a seemingly abandoned tanker in the middle of the ocean. As expected, though, the dark hallways and eerie paths of the tanker hold unspeakable horrors at every turn as what began as a simple investigation turns into a fight for survival. RE: Revelations is great on its own, but if you want the full 3D shooter experience, it’s best played with the Circle Pad Pro accessory, adding a right thumbstick to the original controls.

4. Cave Story 3D – While it’s not a huge release or one that received a lot of critical acclaim, Cave Story 3D is a game that 3DS gamers should not be without. Originally developed for the PC, Cave Story has made its way to the 3D and plays similarly to classic Metroid and Mega Man games, boasting a smooth pixel art style, catchy musical themes, and innovative weapon based gameplay that will sate the appetites of classic sidescrolling shooter fans and puzzle gamers alike.

5. Tales of the Abyss 3D – Classic JRPG lovers are probably already familiar with the Tales series of games and Tales of the Abyss 3D does well to meet the expectations of fans of the Action RPG genre as well. With this port of the PS2 classic, you can take the epic adventure of Tales of the Abyss on the go, enjoying its lush visuals and rich storyline without having to dust off an old home console or track down its expensive classic counterpart.

As the 3DS library continues to expand, more and more titles will vie for the top spots of popularity, but these particular titles are sure to please any style of gamer.