Diagnostic Quiz

Elementary Applications of Microcomputers to Music
Diagnostic Quiz:

Use a separate sheet of paper to answer the following questions. Please be 
sure to write clearly.

1) Briefly describe what MIDI is, why it came into being, and what it can be 
used for.

2) A MIDI cord uses a typical 5-pin DIN connector at either end. Draw an 
accurate diagram of how the plug is wired describing which pins are used and 
what each wire corresponds to.

3) What is the difference between a MIDI Interface (such as the Roland 
MPU-401 and a MIDI Patcher such as the J.L.Cooper MSB+?

4) What are the technical differences between a MIDI Out Port and a MIDI Thru 
Port?  What is the difference in the type of data that each handles?

5) Describe the basic MIDI modes, giving the proper name and describing the 
distinguishing characteristics.

6) What are the various MIDI message types?  What is the difference between 
system real-time and system exclusive messages?

7) What will happen as a MIDI synthesist "daisy-chains" his or her system 
using MIDI Thrus?  Imagine they have an infinite number of MIDI sound modules 
in their studio.  What is the difference between the "daisy-chain" and 
"star-network" MIDI system configurations?

8) What must someone be aware of when making rapid program changes on a given 
synthesizer?

9) What distinguishes the master and slave units in a MIDI system?

10) How does a computer transmit and receive data?

11) What is a status byte in MIDI parlance?  How is it used by the MIDI 
language?

12) How does a sampler, such as the Emulator III, record, store and playback 
sound?

13) What is the difference between a synthesizer that contains stored 
waveforms as a basis for sound synthesis and one that uses digital 
oscillators?

14) What is frequency modulation?  Describe how it is used to create complex 
timbres.

15) The MIDI Interface is a serial interface (one piece of data at a time).  
How is it possible to transmit polyphonic music (chords) over MIDI?

16) The "All Notes Off" message is a special command in the MIDI language 
protocol.  When would such a command be necessary?

17) What would happen if a "note off" command was accidentally removed from a 
MIDI sequence?  How would you remedy the situation?

18) How does a multi-timbral synthesizer create more that one discrete sound 
at the same time in terms of MIDI implementation?

19) What are system common messages?

20) Why is it possible for a MIDI sequencer with 48 tracks to have a virtual 
number of available tracks for recording?  How does bouncing with MIDI differ 
from bouncing with a tape recorder?