Wayne Finger recently suggested [200706 MMDigest] there should be
an online resource such as a website where public domain MIDI files
can be posted by those who have them, and others could access them
for their own enjoyment.  He closed by noting that mechanical music
organizations such as AMICA could attract and entertain new and
existing members by hosting such a section.

AMICA is a major supporter and sponsor of MIDI technology.  AMICA
members have been deluged in just the last year with three issues
May-June and July-August 2019; and May-June 2020 featuring about
a dozen articles on everything MIDI.  And we don't stop there with
more coming in September-October 2020 and later.

AMICA would be interested in embracing Wayne's suggestion as an
innovative extension of what we are already doing.  Working with
Wayne, AMICA's webmaster Michael Falco, and others we can explore
this possibility.

As documented in the many articles referenced above, we believe MIDI
is a badly needed technological enhancement to attract and keep members
and preserve not only the musical media gradually deteriorating on
paper rolls and books but attract badly needed enthusiasts in today's
generation.

Here are a few considerations for Wayne's suggestion to interest
others and get the conversation started:

* MIDI is a technology that can be enjoyed by owners of mechanical
music instruments with a MIDI system installed as an alternative to
discs, music rolls or music books but also through computer platforms
through emulation software like Cakewalk that can virtually imitate
almost any actual instrument.

* MIDI files for historical music are generally created by scanning or
otherwise copying an existing disc, music roll, or music book.  For new
music, a computer program is used by arrangers to create a music file
that can be played back on the virtual platform or turned into playable
media like a music roll, playable on an instrument.

* For MIDI files to be compatible for a particular type of instrument,
they must have a common "channel and note" mapping to be usable for
most.  For example, a coin-piano "A" roll after scanning must be mapped
to say, channel one, notes 0-64, and any instrument playing "A" rolls
with a MIDI system must be set up that way.  Without a common standard
for each type of scale, a MIDI file or system becomes much more of a
challenge, causing something called "Transcription" for proper
reproduction.

* MIDI file availability has always been somewhat minimal due to
licensing, intellectual property value, and scanning capability.  Many
collectors would welcome preserving their traditional media music on
MIDI, but they have a major investment in their music and fear turning
their valued and treasured music into digital media would snuff out
its value and potentially spread it all over.  Many MIDI files are
governed by strict licenses that were written and agreed upon when the
traditional media music owner had the music scanned and turned into
MIDI files.

* Wayne's use of the term "public domain" would unfortunately probably
apply to a very small percentage of the MIDI files in use today.  An
initiative to break loose some of these agreements to allow for more
public domain files would be desirable for the greater good and benefit
the hobby.

* Creating MIDI files from traditional media (discs, rolls, books) is
time-consuming and expensive.  There are very few with that capability,
whose service requires fees, not easily affordable in quantity.  Recent
innovations by some in creating capable, available, affordable hardware
has helped.

While not an easy task, this is certainly a worthwhile initiative that
AMICA and hopefully others will examine with the goal for creation.
Meanwhile, AMICA plans to move forward.  Comments encouraged!

Glenn Thomas - Editor and Publisher, The AMICA Bulletin
http://www.amica.org/ 
wurlitzer165@gmail.com.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]