MIDI is an industry standard communications protocol that allows the user to control different electronic music instruments simultaneously from a single device known as a MIDI controller. These controllers generate and transmit MIDI data based on human input.
From the common Roland “piano” keyboard to the abstract Percussa AudioCube, USB MIDI controllers truly come in all conceivable shapes and sizes.
Common Types of USB MIDI Controllers
For many years, MIDI controllers consisted primarily of a “piano” keyboard usually accompanied by an expression pedal. In the last ten years, there have been numerous innovations in MIDI controller technology giving rise to a broad spectrum of products – each specifically designed to appeal to certain end users such as DJs, music producers, sound engineers, guitarists, and lighting engineers.
The keyboard controller is still the most common type of MIDI controller but even this mainstay has evolved over the years to include additional tactile controls like knobs, sliders and touch-sensitive pads. These extra controls give the user more options for musical expression and tend to cater to those working with softsynths and virtual instruments.
Control surfaces for digital audio workstations are also a popular type of MIDI controller. These devices are designed to work in conjunction with DAW software (such as Cubase or Logic Pro). They are usually comprised of sliders and knobs in much the same fashion as a traditional mixing console.
These control surfaces vary in size from small single fader devices (such as the Frontier Designs Alphatrack) to much larger, expandable surfaces such as the Mackie Control Universal Pro. Regardless of size, these control surfaces are intended to make life easier for sound engineers and music producers by offering a much more tactile control surface in comparison to a computer mouse.
The third most common type of MIDI controller caters specifically to drums and percussion. These devices are known as trigger pad controllers and have become extremely popular in all forms of dance music production and performance. Examples of these devices include Korg's padKONTROL and the Akai MPD32.
Apple's phenomenal iPhone will probably become the next most common MIDI controller. There have already been several iPhone MIDI controller-type applications released since the introduction of the iPhone and there are more on the way.
Endless Possibilities for USB MIDI Controllers
Outside of these three general types of MIDI controllers are dozens of less conventional devices. Percussa’s AudioCubes and C-Thru Music's AXiS-64 are two such controllers that go a long way to prove the sky is the limit in terms of professional MIDI controller design and innovation.
But not to be out done are the countless do-it-yourself MIDI controllers that have been conceived and realized from such unusual items as a piece of paper, a pair of pants, a driver's license or a cage full of hamsters.
Perhaps the best part about all these different types of controllers is that they are versatile yet the same. Because they all generate and transmit the same MIDI data, they do not necessarily have to be used the way they were intended. This means that the possibilities of MIDI expression are limited only by the imagination.
Clayton Worbeck - Clayton is a professional music producer, engineer and musician specializing in electronic and rock music. He has worked as an audio ...
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