MIDI
Short for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, MIDI is a standard for digitally representing and transmitting sounds that was first developed in the 1980s. The MIDI sound is played back through the hardware device or computer either through a synthesized audio sound or a waveform stored on the hardware device or computer. The quality of how MIDI sounds when played back by the hardware device or computer depends upon that device's capability.
Many older computer sound cards have a MIDI port, as shown in the top-right picture. This port allows musical instrument devices to connect to the computer, such as a MIDI keyboard or a synthesizer. Before connecting any MIDI devices to the computer, you need to purchase a cable that takes the MIDI/Game port connection into the standard 5-pin DIN midi connector or a USB to MIDI converter. If have no MIDI port, you may purchase a USB to MIDI converter cable.
Sound Cards
Alternatively referred to as an audio output device, sound board, or audio card. A sound card is an expansion card or IC for producing sound on a computer that can be heard through speakers or headphones. Although the computer does not need a sound device to function, they are included on every machine in one form or another, either in an expansion slot or built into the motherboard (onboard).
The picture is an example of a sound card audio ports or audio jacks on the back of your computer, associated colors, and the connector symbols.
· Digital Out (white or yellow; words: "Digital" or "Digital Out") - Used with surround sound or loudspeakers.
· Sound in or line in (blue; Arrow pointing into waves) - Connection for external audio sources, (e.g., tape recorder, record player, or CD player.)
· Microphone or Mic (pink) - The connection for a microphone or headphones.
· Sound out or line out (green; Arrow pointing out of waves) - The primary sound connection for your speakers or headphones. This sound card also has a second (black) and third (orange) sound out connector.
· FireWire (not pictured) - Used with some high-quality sound cards for digital video cameras and other devices.
· MIDI or joystick (15 pin yellow connector) - Used with earlier sound cards to connect MIDI keyboard or joystick.
Below are all of the different areas of a computer a sound card can be used.
· Games.
· Audio CDs and listening to music.
· Watch movies.
· Audio and video conferencing.
· Creating and playing MIDI.
· Educational software.
· Business presentations.
· Record dictations.
· Voice recognition.
The first sound card is considered to be the Gooch Synthetic Woodwind, used by PLATO terminals. It was invented by Sherwin Gooch in 1972, and was a synthesizer capable of 4-voice music synthesis.
The Apple II computer was capable of using plug-in sound cards. The Apple Music Synthesizer was the first plug-in sound card used by the Apple II, developed by ALF Products Inc. in 1978.
AdLib was one of the first companies to manufacture sound cards for the IBM PC. AdLib developed the Music Synthesizer Card in 1987, basing it on the Yamaha YM3812 sound chip.