No MIDI library for Processing 3?

robduarte · November 29, 2018, 7:20pm

It’s been a while since I’ve used Processing. I’m looking in the library manager and on the libraries listing on processing.org and I’m not seeing any MIDI library. Is there no supported way of sending/receiving MIDI anymore?

Thanks,
Rob

Jumbo · November 29, 2018, 7:29pm

Minim library works with midi sounds

robduarte · November 29, 2018, 8:22pm

I’m not trying to play MIDI files (which is what I think you’re referring to). I’m looking to send MIDI messages (note messages or CC messages) that can be received by some audio software. Or receive MIDI note messages from a hardware MIDI controller, for example, and have Processing synthesize sounds. In technical terms, I want my processing sketch to act as a MIDI controller or a MIDI synthesizer.

Jumbo · December 1, 2018, 4:19pm

TheMIDIbus library???

jeremydouglass · December 3, 2018, 7:58pm

For reference: The MIDIbus is in Contributions Manager – and also available via GitHub for non-PDE projects.

http://www.smallbutdigital.com/projects/themidibus/

Minim methods that send or receive MIDI messages are generally focused on MIDI <–> frequency conversion, but in case it is relevant see specifically:

The oscp5 library can also pass handle MIDI notes as a data type – although they are wrapped in OSC packets.

robduarte · December 4, 2018, 2:44am

Why am I not seeing theMIDIBus when I filter for “midi” in Contributions Manager? That’s where my question started I guess.

jeremydouglass · December 4, 2018, 3:42am

Strange. I am seeing it here:

robduarte · December 4, 2018, 4:33am

Maybe it’s because the computers I’ve just installed on are Windows? I get the same results as you, without themidibus.

kll · December 4, 2018, 4:57am

same here:
win 7
processing 3.4 java mode

github.com

sparks/themidibus/blob/master/README.md

The MidiBus is a MIDI library for [Processing](http://www.processing.org/) which provides a fast and easy way to send and receive MIDI data. <!--more-->The MidiBus is desgined primarily for real time MIDI applications. It's focused on MIDI I/O and keeps the frills to a minimum; currently it has no built in sequencer, file read/write, MIDI recording/playback.

# Installation

The best way to install the MidiBus is via the [Processing Library Manager](http://wiki.processing.org/w/How_to_Install_a_Contributed_Library). This way Processing will automatically notify you when a new version is available.

If you want to install the MidiBus manually you can get the latest stable build including binaries, examples and documentation [via direct downloadd](http://smallbutdigital.com/releases/themidibus/themidibus-latest.zip).

# Resources and Documentation

* [GitHub page](http://github.com/sparks/themidibus)
* [The MidiBus Online Javadocs](http://smallbutdigital.com/themidibus/themidibus/package-summary.html)

# A Few Quick Notes

Before you get started, it is important to understand that the MidiBus offers little functionality that isn't available from Java's native [javax.sound.midi package](http://docs.oracle.com/javase/6/docs/api/javax/sound/midi/package-summary.html). Anyone interested in working with MIDI in Java should take the time to read the documentation for the [javax.sound.midi package](http://docs.oracle.com/javase/6/docs/api/javax/sound/midi/package-summary.html). It offers a more full featured and flexible alternative to this package but it is also more complicated to use. In addition, it is also worthwhile to skim [the "official" Java Tutorial for the javax.sound.* packages](http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/sound/index.html).

# Getting Started

The MidiBus is very straight forwards to use. A good place to start is the included Basic.pde example. From there you can look at the JavaDocs either [online](http://www.smallbutdigital.com/docs/themidibus/themidibus/package-summary.html) or bundled with your library in the "reference" subdirectory. The JavaDocs are a comprehensive reference of all the MidiBus' available functionality. There are also a few advanced examples which can (hopefully) help answer most common questions: how to work with multiple input/output devices, how to send uncommon MIDI messages and how to receive uncommon MIDI messages.

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there i not see any limitations or prerequisites

jeremydouglass · December 4, 2018, 2:48pm

Not sure. I don’t see anything limiting the OS in the properties file that is used by Contributions Manager:

github.com

sparks/themidibus/blob/master/library.properties

# UTF-8 supported.

# The name of your library as you want it formatted
name = The MidiBus

# List of authors. Links can be provided using the syntax [author name](url)
authors = [Severin Smith](http://www.smallbutdigital.com/)

# A web page for your library, NOT a direct link to where to download it
url = http://www.smallbutdigital.com/themidibus.php

# The category of your library, must be one of the following:
#   "3D"            "Animation"         "Compilations"
#   "Data"          "Geometry"          "GUI"
#   "Hardware"      "I/O"               "Math" 
#   "Simulation"    "Sound"             "Utilities"   
#   "Typography"    "Video & Vision"
# 
# If a value other than those listed is used, your library will listed as "Other."
categories = Data

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…although that file is from 2015, maybe a setting was added in 3.x that is missing?

Ah: When I uninstall TheMIDIbus it is no longer available for reinstall – I have to re-add it manually from the github download. Then it reappears in contributions manager.

Submitted an issue:

…although I’m not sure the library is actively maintained anymore.

Tanghe · September 29, 2020, 4:16pm

Since it has been 3 years since the last update to TheMIDIbus does it still work ?

jeremydouglass · September 29, 2020, 5:13pm

It is available in PDE Contributions Manager and is working fine on my machine.

borjonx · June 9, 2021, 5:16am

It does still work on my Macs, but unfortunately Ableton Live stops working with the sent MIDI messages after 5 or 6 hours of continuous use. There are threads about MIDI timestamps & using MMJ lib to get around this, but those are several years old. Does theMidiBus work for you on permanent installations or all day events?

Stopping/starting Processing and/or Ableton Live does not work, nor does taking the IAC bus offline/online.

Are there simple alternatives to theMidiBus? It is SOOOOO simple to use, to control Ableton Live.

jeremydouglass · August 19, 2021, 11:04pm

That’s really odd.

@borjonx, thanks – could you point to these threads? I’m not able to find them on the forum or Google search.

Hope you were able to resolve your problems.

robertesler · August 20, 2021, 7:28pm

Hi @borjonx. Since I missed this thread a few months ago I thought I’d comment on my experience with MIDI and Java/Processing. I have always just relied on the javax.sound.midi package. It’s not terribly difficult to use and adapt. I have an example here: Pd4P3/examples/MIDI/MIDI_Example at main
I just adapted Phil Burk’s code: jsyn/src/main/java/com/jsyn/midi
The MidiBus developers note that Apple has a few issues: The MidiBus - Small but Digital at the end they mention using MMJ to deal with Apple not supporting SysEx messages, but overall MidiBus looks like it is just wrapping the javax.sound.midi pacakge.
However, I’ve never relied on MIDI as a protocol in any circumstance over long periods of time. I usually fallback to OSC or serial/network I/O for that kind of robust performance. I’ve successfully used OSC to stream data for days without error.
Anyway, I’m happy to help with the javax.sound.midi package if anyone needs it.

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No MIDI library for Processing 3?

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