Midi - Revision history

Daveallen at 19:21, 22 September 2026

2026-09-22T19:21:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:21, 22 September 2026
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	MIDI is an acronynm for Musical Instrument Data Interface. This is a current loop serial interface with a a standard protocol for communication between keyboards, electronic musical instruments and computers. This protocol includes codes for describing music data, such as note on and note off messages (sent when a key is pressed and released) among other codes.<br>		MIDI is an acronynm for Musical Instrument Data Interface. This is a current loop serial interface with a a standard protocol for communication between keyboards, electronic musical instruments and computers. This protocol includes codes for describing music data, such as note on and note off messages (sent when a key is pressed and released) among other codes.<br>

	~~== MIDI Channels ==~~

	The MIDI protocol allows sixteen different channels of data to be transmitted on a single MIDI cable. Generally instrument voices only respond to one channel at a time. Multi-timbral instruments can respond to multiple channels with different sounding voices.

	== Import MIDI file ==		== Import MIDI file ==
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	Without the Recording Librarian option, a supported carillon can only store one MIDI file at a time in the recording buffer.		Without the Recording Librarian option, a supported carillon can only store one MIDI file at a time in the recording buffer.
			== Organ and keyboard MIDI channels ==
			The MIDI protocol allows sixteen different channels of data to be transmitted on a single MIDI cable. Generally instrument voices only respond to one channel at a time. Multi-timbral instruments can respond to multiple channels with different sounding voices.
	=== Rodgers Implementation ===		=== Rodgers Implementation ===
	Rodgers organs always transmit note data on channels 12 and up. There is usually a group of switches (pistons below the great manual) that enable lower MIDI channels when engaged. More expensive organs have two switchable channels for each manual, such as MIDI GT A and MIDI GT B (great manual A and B channels). Only enable one of these when setting up the keyboard (maybe B for Bells).<br>		Rodgers organs always transmit note data on channels 12 and up. There is usually a group of switches (pistons below the great manual) that enable lower MIDI channels when engaged. More expensive organs have two switchable channels for each manual, such as MIDI GT A and MIDI GT B (great manual A and B channels). Only enable one of these when setting up the keyboard (maybe B for Bells).<br>

Daveallen at 19:20, 22 September 2026

2026-09-22T19:20:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:20, 22 September 2026
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	The MIDI protocol allows sixteen different channels of data to be transmitted on a single MIDI cable. Generally instrument voices only respond to one channel at a time. Multi-timbral instruments can respond to multiple channels with different sounding voices.		The MIDI protocol allows sixteen different channels of data to be transmitted on a single MIDI cable. Generally instrument voices only respond to one channel at a time. Multi-timbral instruments can respond to multiple channels with different sounding voices.

	~~=== Rodgers Implementation ===~~

	Rodgers organs always transmit note data on channels 12 and up. There is usually a group of switches (pistons below the great manual) that enable lower MIDI channels when engaged. More expensive organs have two switchable channels for each manual, such as MIDI GT A and MIDI GT B (great manual A and B channels). Only enable one of these when setting up the keyboard (maybe B for Bells).<br>

	~~=== Legacy Millennium/Platinum Implementation ===~~

	The Millennium/Platinum carillon can respond to two MIDI channels simultaneously, and we refer to them as Primary and Secondary. When setting up a system with an organ, the Primary channel is typically the lower manual (Great) which is used for the melody bell voice and the Secondary channel is set to the upper manual (Swell) which is used for a harp voice.

	When the Millennium carillon is placed in the System Setup - Keyboard Size/Midi menu it is looking for the highest and lowest MIDI note values and channel values for each keyboard. When it sees multiple channels (like it would with a Rodgers organ), it chooses the lower channel available. As of firmware 0311, we are only looking at the first two channels received.

	~~== MIDI Volume ==~~

	On the Platinum/Millennium Carillon, note velocity affects not only the volume level of the note but also the brilliance of the note. Playing vigorously will be brighter and louder, playing gently will be duller and quieter.

	Organs do not typically have a touch sensitive keyboard. Instead we have to rely on the expression pedal (in the case of an electronic organ). On an Allen organ, the expression shoe controls the note velocity values affecting both volume and brilliance.

	On a Rodgers organ, the expression shoe sends MIDI Channel Volume data. If we only used this to change the volume of the chime output, we would lose the brilliance component of the bell dynamics. When volume data is detected, along with a steady state velocity, the Millennium MIDI input substitutes the volume value for velocity on the notes received. So a Rodgers expression shoe will provide the same dynamic changes that an Allen would.

	Firmware versions prior to 0411 would accept volume levels of zero and mute the output. This is now ignored since we have run across a Solid State Logic midi interface (probably not installed and setup correctly by the organ technician) that sent a volume zero command every time the MIDI output was enabled.

	== Import MIDI file ==		== Import MIDI file ==
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	MIDI type 1 files are compatible with the AX systems as long as there is only one track.		MIDI type 1 files are compatible with the AX systems as long as there is only one track.
			=== Preparing MIDI files for upload ===
			We have found that after exporting from notation software, the MIDI file often needs some additional cleanup. Here are some MIDI editors we have used:
			* [https://meowchestra.github.io/MidiEditor MidiEditor] - FOSS
			* [https://cakewalk.com Cakewalk] - is back! Free and Premium subscriptions are available. We've been using Cakewalk since 1987 to create and edit our music libraries.

	~~Do not expect successful results if~~ you ~~try~~ to ~~upload Standard MIDI Files~~ that ~~you find on~~ the ~~internet~~. ~~These typically~~ will ~~have drum~~ and ~~other percussion tracks that cannot be played~~ on ~~your bell system~~. ~~If you want~~ to ~~try~~ to ~~adapt them, load them into MIDI editing program~~ and ~~spend some~~ time ~~simplifying them~~ to ~~a single bell track~~.		If you selected a preset voice on your computer to play back the arrangement, delete that preset before saving the file for upload.

			It is important to transpose the music properly for the bell voice you will use to play it back. Automated chimes and carillons are always transposed to ring the largest bell on middle C, or C4 (Midi note 48) regardless of their true pitch. Millennium Cast Bronze carillon voices range from C3 to C8. Millennium Chime and harp selections use a split keyboard with the harp from C3 to Bb5 and the chime from B5 to C8. Notes above and below these ranges are prohibited.

			Tempo and time signature changes are supported. All other controls such as volume and patch changes must be removed from the file.

			Stacking lots of notes in fast changing chords may overload the playback engine of the carillon or bell controller resulting in a slight slowing of playback tempo. Quickly arpeggiating dense chords will avoid this slowdown without a noticeable change of arrangement. Striking the larger bells before smaller bells is customary. Arrangements that are kind to the listener's ears will avoid striking more than two notes simultaneously.

	~~MIDI editors:~~		A useful article, [https://www.rockefeller.uchicago.edu/2017/12/19/composing-for-carillon ''Composing for Carillon'' by Joey Brink], should be reviewed when arranging music for bells.
	* [https://~~meowchestra~~.~~github~~.io/~~MidiEditor MidiEditor] - FOSS~~
	* [https://~~cakewalk.com Cakewalk Sonar or Next]~~ - ~~is back! Free and Premium subscriptions available. We~~'~~ve been using Cakewalk since 1987 to create and edit our~~ music ~~libraries~~.

			Do not expect successful results if you try to upload Standard MIDI Files that you find on the internet. These typically will have drum and other percussion tracks that cannot be played on your bell system. If you want to try to adapt them, load them into MIDI editing program and spend some time simplifying them to a single bell track.
	=== Legacy 2000 models ===		=== Legacy 2000 models ===
	You can import MIDI files from notation software to your carillon using the Management Suite's [[Recording_library_MS\|MIDI File Import]] premium feature.		You can import MIDI files from notation software to your carillon using the Management Suite's [[Recording_library_MS\|MIDI File Import]] premium feature.

	Without the Recording Librarian option, a supported carillon can only store one MIDI file at a time in the recording buffer.		Without the Recording Librarian option, a supported carillon can only store one MIDI file at a time in the recording buffer.
	=== ~~Preparing MIDI files for upload~~ ===		=== Rodgers Implementation ===
	~~Only single track [http://en~~.~~wikipedia~~.~~org/wiki/Musical_Instrument_Digital_Interface#File_formats~~ MIDI ~~Format 0] files are compatible with Management Suite~~.		Rodgers organs always transmit note data on channels 12 and up. There is usually a group of switches (pistons below the great manual) that enable lower MIDI channels when engaged. More expensive organs have two switchable channels for each manual, such as MIDI GT A and MIDI GT B (great manual A and B channels). Only enable one of these when setting up the keyboard (maybe B for Bells).<br>
			=== Legacy Millennium/Platinum Implementation ===

	~~If you selected~~ a ~~preset~~ voice ~~on your computer~~ to ~~play back the arrangement, delete that preset before saving~~ the ~~file~~ for ~~upload~~.		The Millennium/Platinum carillon can respond to two MIDI channels simultaneously, and we refer to them as Primary and Secondary. When setting up a system with an organ, the Primary channel is typically the lower manual (Great) which is used for the melody bell voice and the Secondary channel is set to the upper manual (Swell) which is used for a harp voice.

	It is ~~important to transpose~~ the ~~music properly~~ for the ~~bell voice you will use to play~~ it ~~back~~. ~~Automated chimes and carillons~~ are ~~always transposed to ring~~ the ~~largest bell on middle C~~, ~~or C4 (Midi~~ note ~~48) regardless~~ of ~~their true pitch. Millennium Cast Bronze carillon voices range from C3 to C8. Millennium Chime and harp selections use a split keyboard with~~ the ~~harp from C3 to Bb5 and~~ the ~~chime from B5 to C8~~. ~~Notes above~~ and ~~below these ranges are prohibited~~.		When the Millennium carillon is placed in the System Setup - Keyboard Size/Midi menu it is looking for the highest and lowest MIDI note values and channel values for each keyboard. When it sees multiple channels (like it would with a Rodgers organ), it chooses the lower channel available. As of firmware 0311, we are only looking at the first two channels received.
			== MIDI Volume ==
			On the Platinum/Millennium Carillon, note velocity affects not only the volume level of the note but also the brilliance of the note. Playing vigorously will be brighter and louder, playing gently will be duller and quieter.

	~~Tempo and time signature changes are supported~~. ~~All other~~ controls ~~such as~~ volume and ~~patch changes must be removed from the file~~.		Organs do not typically have a touch sensitive keyboard. Instead we have to rely on the expression pedal (in the case of an electronic organ). On an Allen organ, the expression shoe controls the note velocity values affecting both volume and brilliance.

	~~Stacking lots~~ of ~~notes in fast changing chords may overload~~ the ~~playback engine~~ of the ~~carillon or~~ bell ~~controller resulting in~~ a ~~slight slowing of playback tempo~~. ~~Quickly arppegiating dense chords~~ will ~~avoid this slowdown without a noticeable change of arrangement. Striking~~ the ~~larger bells before smaller bells is customary. Arrangements~~ that ~~are kind to the listener's ears will avoid striking more than two notes simultaneously~~.		On a Rodgers organ, the expression shoe sends MIDI Channel Volume data. If we only used this to change the volume of the chime output, we would lose the brilliance component of the bell dynamics. When volume data is detected, along with a steady state velocity, the Millennium MIDI input substitutes the volume value for velocity on the notes received. So a Rodgers expression shoe will provide the same dynamic changes that an Allen would.

	~~A useful article, [https://www~~.~~rockefeller.uchicago.edu/2017/12/19/composing-for-carillon ''Composing for Carillon''~~ by ~~Joey Brink], should be reviewed when arranging music for bells~~.		Firmware versions prior to April 2011 would accept volume levels of zero and mute the output. This is now ignored since we have run across a Solid State Logic midi interface (probably not installed and setup correctly by the organ technician) that sent a volume zero command every time the MIDI output was enabled.

	[[Category:Electrical]][[Category:Manual]]		[[Category:Electrical]][[Category:Manual]]

Daveallen: /* Advanced eXperience models */

2026-09-22T19:10:15Z

Advanced eXperience models

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:10, 22 September 2026
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	* [https://musescore.org/en/download MuseScore] - free open source software (FOSS)		* [https://musescore.org/en/download MuseScore] - free open source software (FOSS)
	* [https://avid.com/sibelius Sibelius]		* [https://avid.com/sibelius Sibelius]
	* [https://finale.com Finale]		* [https://finale.com Finale] might be coming back...

	Use [[Using_Chime.Center#Uploads\|Chime.Center's MIDI Upload]] page to import MIDI files to your ringing system.		Use [[Using_Chime.Center#Uploads\|Chime.Center's MIDI Upload]] page to import MIDI files to your ringing system.

Daveallen: /* Import MIDI file */

2026-09-22T19:08:03Z

Import MIDI file

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:08, 22 September 2026
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	=== Advanced eXperience models ===		=== Advanced eXperience models ===
	Create MIDI files from your own arrangements that you create using notation programs such as		Create MIDI files from your own arrangements that you create using notation programs such as
	* [musescore.org/en/download MuseScore] - free open source software (FOSS)		* [https://musescore.org/en/download MuseScore] - free open source software (FOSS)
	* [avid.com/sibelius Sibelius]		* [https://avid.com/sibelius Sibelius]
	* [finale.com Finale]		* [https://finale.com Finale]

	Use [[Using_Chime.Center#Uploads\|Chime.Center's MIDI Upload]] page to import MIDI files to your ringing system.		Use [[Using_Chime.Center#Uploads\|Chime.Center's MIDI Upload]] page to import MIDI files to your ringing system.
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	MIDI editors:		MIDI editors:
	* [meowchestra.github.io/MidiEditor MidiEditor] - FOSS		* [https://meowchestra.github.io/MidiEditor MidiEditor] - FOSS
	* [cakewalk.com Cakewalk Sonar or Next] - is back! Free and Premium subscriptions available. We've been using Cakewalk since 1987 to create and edit our music libraries.		* [https://cakewalk.com Cakewalk Sonar or Next] - is back! Free and Premium subscriptions available. We've been using Cakewalk since 1987 to create and edit our music libraries.

	=== Legacy 2000 models ===		=== Legacy 2000 models ===

Daveallen: /* Import MIDI file */

2026-09-22T19:05:32Z

Import MIDI file

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:05, 22 September 2026
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	== Import MIDI file ==		== Import MIDI file ==
	=== Advanced eXperience models ===		=== Advanced eXperience models ===
			Create MIDI files from your own arrangements that you create using notation programs such as
			* [musescore.org/en/download MuseScore] - free open source software (FOSS)
			* [avid.com/sibelius Sibelius]
			* [finale.com Finale]

	Use [[Using_Chime.Center#Uploads\|Chime.Center's MIDI Upload]] page to import MIDI files to your ringing system.		Use [[Using_Chime.Center#Uploads\|Chime.Center's MIDI Upload]] page to import MIDI files to your ringing system.

	MIDI type 1 files are compatible with the AX systems as long as there is only one track.		MIDI type 1 files are compatible with the AX systems as long as there is only one track.

			Do not expect successful results if you try to upload Standard MIDI Files that you find on the internet. These typically will have drum and other percussion tracks that cannot be played on your bell system. If you want to try to adapt them, load them into MIDI editing program and spend some time simplifying them to a single bell track.

			MIDI editors:
			* [meowchestra.github.io/MidiEditor MidiEditor] - FOSS
			* [cakewalk.com Cakewalk Sonar or Next] - is back! Free and Premium subscriptions available. We've been using Cakewalk since 1987 to create and edit our music libraries.

	=== Legacy 2000 models ===		=== Legacy 2000 models ===

Rickwhite: /* Advanced eXperience models */

2026-01-23T18:54:28Z

Advanced eXperience models

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:54, 23 January 2026
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	== Import MIDI file ==		== Import MIDI file ==
	=== Advanced eXperience models ===		=== Advanced eXperience models ===
	Use [[Using_Chime.Center#Uploads\|Chime Center's MIDI Upload]] page to import MIDI files to your ringing system.		Use [[Using_Chime.Center#Uploads\|Chime.Center's MIDI Upload]] page to import MIDI files to your ringing system.

	MIDI type 1 files are compatible with the AX systems as long as there is only one track.		MIDI type 1 files are compatible with the AX systems as long as there is only one track.

Daveallen: /* Millennium/Platinum Implementation */

2024-11-12T21:11:31Z

Millennium/Platinum Implementation

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:11, 12 November 2024
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	Rodgers organs always transmit note data on channels 12 and up. There is usually a group of switches (pistons below the great manual) that enable lower MIDI channels when engaged. More expensive organs have two switchable channels for each manual, such as MIDI GT A and MIDI GT B (great manual A and B channels). Only enable one of these when setting up the keyboard (maybe B for Bells).<br>		Rodgers organs always transmit note data on channels 12 and up. There is usually a group of switches (pistons below the great manual) that enable lower MIDI channels when engaged. More expensive organs have two switchable channels for each manual, such as MIDI GT A and MIDI GT B (great manual A and B channels). Only enable one of these when setting up the keyboard (maybe B for Bells).<br>

	=== Millennium/Platinum Implementation ===		=== Legacy Millennium/Platinum Implementation ===

	The Millennium/Platinum carillon can respond to two MIDI channels simultaneously, and we refer to them as Primary and Secondary. When setting up a system with an organ, the Primary channel is typically the lower manual (Great) which is used for the melody bell voice and the Secondary channel is set to the upper manual (Swell) which is used for a harp voice.		The Millennium/Platinum carillon can respond to two MIDI channels simultaneously, and we refer to them as Primary and Secondary. When setting up a system with an organ, the Primary channel is typically the lower manual (Great) which is used for the melody bell voice and the Secondary channel is set to the upper manual (Swell) which is used for a harp voice.

Daveallen: /* Import MIDI file */

2024-11-12T21:09:45Z

Import MIDI file

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:09, 12 November 2024
Line 34:		Line 34:
	You can import MIDI files from notation software to your carillon using the Management Suite's [[Recording_library_MS\|MIDI File Import]] premium feature.		You can import MIDI files from notation software to your carillon using the Management Suite's [[Recording_library_MS\|MIDI File Import]] premium feature.

			Without the Recording Librarian option, a supported carillon can only store one MIDI file at a time in the recording buffer.
	=== Preparing MIDI files for upload ===		=== Preparing MIDI files for upload ===
			Only single track [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_Instrument_Digital_Interface#File_formats MIDI Format 0] files are compatible with Management Suite.
	Only single track [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_Instrument_Digital_Interface#File_formats MIDI Format 0] files are compatible with Management Suite~~. Without the Recording Librarian option, a supported carillon can only store one MIDI file at a time in the recording buffer~~.

	If you selected a preset voice on your computer to play back the arrangement, delete that preset before saving the file for upload.		If you selected a preset voice on your computer to play back the arrangement, delete that preset before saving the file for upload.

Daveallen: /* Advanced eXperience models */

2024-11-12T21:08:37Z

Advanced eXperience models

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:08, 12 November 2024
Line 27:		Line 27:
	== Import MIDI file ==		== Import MIDI file ==
	=== Advanced eXperience models ===		=== Advanced eXperience models ===
	Use [[~~https://~~Using_Chime.Center#Uploads\|Chime Center's MIDI Upload]] page to import MIDI files to your ringing system.		Use [[Using_Chime.Center#Uploads\|Chime Center's MIDI Upload]] page to import MIDI files to your ringing system.

	MIDI type 1 files are compatible with the AX systems as long as there is only one track.		MIDI type 1 files are compatible with the AX systems as long as there is only one track.

Daveallen: /* Legacy 2000 models = */

2024-11-12T21:08:02Z

Legacy 2000 models =

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:08, 12 November 2024
Line 31:		Line 31:
	MIDI type 1 files are compatible with the AX systems as long as there is only one track.		MIDI type 1 files are compatible with the AX systems as long as there is only one track.

	=== Legacy 2000 models ====		=== Legacy 2000 models ===
	You can import MIDI files from notation software to your carillon using the Management Suite's [[Recording_library_MS\|MIDI File Import]] premium feature.		You can import MIDI files from notation software to your carillon using the Management Suite's [[Recording_library_MS\|MIDI File Import]] premium feature.