MIDI Explained: Notes, Velocity, Timing and Instruments
Understand what MIDI stores, how it differs from audio and how to edit notes musically.
MIDI is an instruction, not a recording
MIDI events tell an instrument which note to play, when to start and stop it, and optionally how strong or expressive it should be. Changing the instrument preserves the note sequence but changes the sound.
Piano-roll fundamentals
Pitch is usually displayed vertically and time horizontally. Velocity affects many instruments' dynamics or timbre. Quantization places note events on chosen divisions of the grid; using it lightly can preserve the feel of a performance.
Try a simple part
Record a short keyboard phrase in SoundCode Instrument. Inspect pitch, duration and timing, then use MIDI → Instrument to audition a different sound while retaining the musical notes.