iOS 4.2 To Bring MIDI Support - Is GarageBand On Its Way?
by Tim Chaten
November 8, 2010
New to iOS 4.2 is full MIDI support. MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) is a standard that has been around for more than 25 years. It is used to transmit musical data from instruments to the computer. It is used in musical notation apps like Finale or Sibelius on the Mac, and even Apple’s own GarageBand utilizes MIDI. It is also used in sequencers and other musical applications.
Now developers can add MIDI frameworks to their apps. So, be on the look out for all sorts of new apps on the way with MIDI support. You’ll be able to connect MIDI through USB or Wi-FI in the very near future.
What this means: soon you will be able to hook up a USB MIDI keyboard to an app like Sibelius or Finale for the iPad and start composing music. You could create the next great film score on the iPad! As a performer you'll be able to use the iPad as a MIDI interface during a live concert! More use cases and implementation ideas can be found at CreateDigitalMusic.com. An example of what MIDI can do with Pianist Pro is shown in the video below:
Perhaps MIDI frameworks are now included as a precursor to Apple releasing GarageBand for the iPad? Now that MIDI is here, nothing prevents Apple from releasing a full-fledged GarageBand app on the iPad. What apps would you like to see? Let us know in the comments!