Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 4.3bsd-beta 6/6/85; site andromeda.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!qantel!lll-crg!seismo!caip!topaz!andromeda!spallett
From: spallett@andromeda.UUCP (Carl Spalletta)
Newsgroups: net.music.synth
Subject: Re: Midi specs, please...
Message-ID: <40@andromeda.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 26-Nov-85 17:42:34 EST
Article-I.D.: andromed.40
Posted: Tue Nov 26 17:42:34 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 29-Nov-85 08:18:02 EST
References: <450@rna.UUCP>
Organization: Rutgers University, Newark, N.J.
Lines: 30
Summary: where to find midi specification, plus comments


> 	Where can I find out the hardware and sofware definitions of MIDI ?
> What are the electrical characteristics of MIDI, the protocols/command and
> data formats used ?

In the book 'Synthesizers & computers' published by Keyboard magazine
you can find a copy of the MIDI spec (which is in the public domain)

I bought mine at Sam Ash Music ..

The hardware specification is one page long, plus a circuit diagram
consisting of exactly one IC, one diode, six resistors , plus buffering.
 
> 	I have seen various articles stating the baud rate of MIDI to be
> either 31500 or 31250 - which is it ? 31250 is easier to generate. I also
> understand that it is current loop, is it identical to the old 20ma current
> loop ? I also hear that MIDI requires opto-isolation.

'31.25 KB'
 
> 	Would it be reasonable to convert an old DEC serial interface, DL-11 or
> DLV-11, to MIDI ? They both have external clock inputs and can both be set fo>
> 20ma current loop. What would be required ?

I would be interested in talking to you about this, because I dont know the
answer myself, but I suspect you would do better starting from scratch because
MIDI is so crude and so peculiar.  I'm interested in doing an interface
for the PC myself, now putting together the block diagrams and bill of mat'ls.

Anyone out there with any suggestions or any experience in implementing MIDI?