The transition to MIDI 2.0 should be a “smooth crossfade”, says MMA President, as work continues on new features and backwards compatibility

MIDI 2.0 keeps bubbling away in the background, with the development of the successor to the original MIDI spec continuing to gather pace.

It’s been confirmed that, in the past month, members of the MIDI Manufacturers Association (MMA) have reviewed and adopted eight new MIDI 2.0 specification families, bringing the total to 13 finalised specs. 

The eight new specifications take advantage of MIDI Capability Inquiry (CI), a protocol that expands MIDI with new features while protecting backward compatibility. MIDI 2.0 devices can query MIDI 2.0 and 1.0 gear automatically about the functions they include, follow rules that create user-friendly profiles for different instrument types, and standardise formats for exchanging properties (such as preset data) among instruments and DAWs.

Furthermore, a universal MIDI data packet accommodates communicating both MIDI 2.0 and 1.0 data over USB.

There’s more to come, too: parallel MMA working groups are currently working on specifications for default control mappings, orchestral articulations, guitar controllers, wind controllers, a standard file format for MIDI 2.0, and other elements designed to add both convenience and power to upcoming MIDI 2.0 products.

MMA President Craig Anderton says: “It’s fascinating to see what’s going on behind the scenes, particularly because of the effort being put into backwards compatibility. As a result, I expect that the transition to MIDI 2.0 won’t be a jarring change, but a smooth crossfade that will enhance current systems for years to come.”

You can keep up to speed with everything MIDI 2.0-related at the MIDI Association website.