MIDI control is a communication protocol that helps you connect different MIDI-compatible devices or applications with each other.
Think of MIDI as if it were a piano roll in one of those old piano player machines - the holes in the paper represent the note to be played, for how long, and how loud. The piano roll then plays the music based on the holes punched in the piano roll paper.
MIDI works the same way - it sends commands to your MIDI instruments, so that the instrument knows what notes to play, for how long, how loud, etc.
Control Changes (CC)
Aside from notes, MIDI can also communicate Control Change messages, which allow you to control specified control functions on your MIDI instrument. For example, volume, pan, modulation, aftertouch, frequency cutoff, or resonance. MIDI Control Change messages are numbered from 0 - 127. So there are a possible 128 different commands that can be sent as a MIDI Control Change (CC) command.
The MIDI Standard suggests specific MIDI Control Change commands to specific functions. For example, MIDI CC#1 typically controls the Modulation Wheel, MIDI CC #7 typically controls Volume, MIDI CC #10 typically controls Pan information, and so on.
In some cases, and with some software, these MIDI CC control commands can be interchangeable, meaning that you can assign virtually any MIDI CC # to use to control any unspecified function.
With MIDI Control Change commands, you can use a MIDI controller that can send MIDI Control Change (CC) information to control specific functions in a MIDI Device or MIDI Software.
With iRig BlueBoard, for example, you can set up iRig BlueBoard to send a MIDI Control Change message to AmpliTube for iPad. Since AmpliTube for iPad allows you to assign any MIDI CC message to any of its effects or amp parameters, you can set up iRig BlueBoard to send a MIDI CC message to turn an effect on or off, or Bypass the amp emulation by using a MIDI CC message to turn the amp on or off.
Or, using an optional Expression Pedal, you can use your Expression Pedal to send a Control Change message to an AmpliTube effect, like a Wah pedal. Simply click and hold on the Wah pedal image until you see the "Assign Control" window appears. Then move the Expression Pedal so that AmpliTube "learns" the incoming MIDI Control Change message.
Program Changes (PC)
MIDI Program Changes commands allow you to recall specific sounds via MIDI. Originally, MIDI Program Change messages allowed you to recall a specific patch.
These types of MIDI messages can be used to recall specific presets or sounds saved in your IK apps.
Like MIDI Control Change commands, MIDI Program Change commands are numbered 0-127, for a possible 128 MIDI Program Change commands that can be sent via MIDI.
For example, with iRig BlueBoard set to send MIDI Program Change messages, you can send a MIDI Program Change to recall a specific FAVORITE preset in AmpliTube, Or a saved preset in SampleTank.
Pitch Wheel
The Pitch Wheel is a physical controller on a keyboard or synthesizer that allows you to pitch bend, or vary the pitch up or down. You will also see this option on on instrument apps such as SampleTank.
Aftertouch
Aftertouch is MIDI data that is sent when pressure is applied to a keyboard after the key has been struck and while its still being held down or sustained. Its commonly set to control volume, vibrato, or some other effect by applying pressure to the key after its struck.
MIDI System Realtime Messages
MIDI system realtime messages are messages that are not specific to a MIDI channel but prompt all devices on the MIDI system to respond and to do so in real time.
MMC (MIDI Machine Control)
MMC proves specific commands for controlling the transport controls of a recorder, such as Play, Fast Forward, Rewind, Stop, Pause, and Record.
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FAQ ID: 1095