MIDI 2.0 is one of the most exciting developments in electronic music production in decades. But what exactly is it
The MIDI Association explains on its official website, MIDI 2.0 means two-way MIDI conversations. Until now, MIDI 1.0 messages went in one direction: from a transmitter to a receiver. MIDI 2.0 is bi-directional and changes MIDI from a monologue to a dialogue.
Thanks to new MIDI-CI (Capability Inquiry) messages, MIDI 2.0 devices can talk to each other, and auto-configure themselves to work together.
Keystage utilizes MIDI-CI Property Exchange messages to communicate with other devices. It retrieves information such as which Control Change (CC) parameters should be linked and the appropriate names to display for each parameter. This means that Keystage can talk with a wide range of MIDI 2.0 compatible devices and exchange information in both directions. This exciting feature extends not only to software plugins, such as the ones included with Keystage, but also to hardware devices!
Since MIDI 2.0 Property Exchange is compatible with MIDI DIN cables, Keystage opens up opportunities for seamless integration with existing devices, paving the way for new and exciting possibilities in the horizon.
Furthermore, backwards compatibility is not an issue with Keystage. It can still communicate using MIDI 1.0 with devices that do not support MIDI 2.0.