MIDI Archives

Winsage

February 10, 2025

Microsoft Weekly: Xbox features for PCs, useful tools for Windows 11, and more

Microsoft refreshed the Windows Health Dashboard, providing updated information on known bugs affecting Windows 11 version 24H2, including a fix for users unable to modify specific date and time settings and a workaround for difficulties with Windows updates via USB or CD media. A guide was shared on restoring Dolby Digital (AC-3) support in Windows 11 version 24H2, and two debloating applications, WinScript and NoBloatbox, were introduced for system optimization and bloatware removal. This week's preview builds for Windows 11 included a significant update for MIDI and allowed users to customize widgets on their lock screens. An update for the Microsoft Store now permits users to choose which components of games to download. Optical Character Recognition has returned in the Photos app for Windows Insiders with enhancements and bug fixes. Microsoft announced the dates for its upcoming developer conference, Build 2025, scheduled for May 19-22 in Seattle, Washington. Firefox 135 was released with a redesigned new tab page and privacy enhancements, while Microsoft Edge 133 launched with an updated downloads interface and an AI-powered scareware blocker. Chrome version 134 is set to enhance picture-in-picture mode. In gaming news, several Xbox titles, including Forza Horizon 5 and Age of Mythology: Retold, are being released for PlayStation 5. EA's Criterion Games is focused on the next Battlefield installment, leaving the future of Need for Speed uncertain. Microsoft will host the first ID@Xbox showcase on February 24, 2025. Valve updated Steam to include a banner for abandoned games, and Nvidia announced new games for the GeForce NOW streaming service. The Epic Games Store is offering two free titles, and Amazon Prime members have access to several free games.

Winsage

February 8, 2025

Windows MIDI Services With Full MIDI 2.0 Support Coming Soon

The latest Windows 11 Insider Preview from the Canary Channel introduces native support for MIDI 2.0, moving away from OEM drivers. This update offers improved connection speeds, two-way communication, and property exchange capabilities for MIDI devices. MIDI 2.0 support will be available for both Windows 11 and Windows 10 if finalized before Windows 10 is phased out.

Winsage

February 7, 2025

Latest Windows 11 build adds full MIDI 2.0 support and improved performance

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27788 in the Canary Channel, which includes significant enhancements to the MIDI standard. This update supports both MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0, designed exclusively for 64-bit operating systems, and extends full MIDI compatibility across all modern Windows architectures, including Arm64-based PCs. The MIDI 2.0 standard features high-speed data transmission, high-fidelity messages, and endpoint discovery and negotiation. The new MIDI stack improves performance with better timing and reduced jitter, and a faster MIDI driver supports both versions with automatic API translation for interoperability. The update also includes a USB MIDI 2.0 class driver developed in collaboration with the Association of Musical Electronics Industry of Japan and AmeNote, ensuring compatibility with both MIDI 2.0 and legacy MIDI 1.0 devices. Additionally, the preview introduces a 1-click resume function for OneDrive and selective installation options for games in the Microsoft Store.

Winsage

February 6, 2025

Windows 11 and MIDI 2.0: The Biggest OS Update Since 1983 is Coming Soon!

Microsoft is releasing Windows 11, which includes a significant update to the MIDI system, introducing native support for MIDI 2.0. This is the first major update to the MIDI standard since 1983. The new Windows MIDI Services enhance MIDI 1.0 functionality on ARM-based devices and improve communication between electronic instruments and computers. MIDI 2.0 offers increased speed, better transmission quality, more precise control, and advanced two-way communication capabilities. Microsoft collaborated with the Association of Musical Electronics Industry of Japan (AMEI) to develop a robust MIDI class driver and introduced a new networking protocol for MIDI 2.0. Extensive SDK support will facilitate integration of third-party software and hardware. The MIDI architecture is currently being tested and will be included in upcoming Windows updates. Additionally, the latest Canary build of Windows 11 features improvements such as new OneDrive functionality, optimized File Explorer, and options to disable backup reminders.

Winsage

February 6, 2025

Microsoft debuts Windows MIDI Services with MIDI 2.0 support

Microsoft has released a public preview of Windows MIDI Services, supporting the MIDI 2.0 standard, as part of build 27788 in the Windows 11 Insider Preview Canary Channel. Users may encounter a known installation error (0x8007000d) and a failed .NET update (0x80073712), and are advised to retry the build while avoiding the .NET update. The development of Windows MIDI Services has been ongoing, with updates provided since 2022 and a GitHub repository opened in 2023. The feature was anticipated to debut in Windows Insider builds but was delayed until February. MIDI serves as a standard for connecting electronic instruments to computers for music creation, and this update is particularly beneficial for electronic music users. Microsoft plans to extend this technology to supported versions of Windows 10 and 11 before October.

Winsage

February 6, 2025

Microsoft makes massive MIDI improvements for musicians using Windows 11

Microsoft has introduced the Windows MIDI Services Public Preview with the rollout of Windows 11 build 27788, which includes full support for MIDI 2.0. This update features a new USB MIDI 2.0 Class Driver that is backward compatible with MIDI 1.0, and a Windows MIDI Services App SDK for managing MIDI settings. Key enhancements include: - Full support for the MIDI 2.0 Standard, enabling high-speed data transmission and improved message fidelity. - Faster transports for better timing and reduced jitter. - Multi-client endpoints allowing multiple applications to access each endpoint simultaneously. - Enhanced endpoint and port management for improved organization. - In-service scheduling for managing timestamped messages. - Built-in loopback and app-to-app MIDI for complex routing. - Automatic translation between MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0. - Expanded device metadata for enhanced functionality. - Improved notifications for device management. - Backward compatibility with the WinMM MIDI 1.0 API. - An open-source initiative for the MIDI Service and associated tools.

Winsage

February 6, 2025

Windows 11 is getting some nice changes for people who enjoy making music

MIDI 2.0 is debuting on Windows 11, as noted in the latest updates from the Windows 11 Canary patch notes. MIDI 2.0 was officially introduced in 2020, and its rollout on Windows 11 signifies a significant advancement in accessibility for musicians. Key features of MIDI 2.0 include: - Full support of the MIDI 2.0 Standard with high-speed data transmission, enhanced message fidelity, increased resolution for controller values, and complete endpoint discovery and protocol negotiation. - Faster transports that improve timing and minimize jitter. - Enhanced USB MIDI driver compatible with both MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0. - Multi-client endpoints allowing multiple applications to access a device simultaneously. - Improved endpoint and port management. - In-service scheduling for timestamped messages tailored for the new Windows MIDI Services App SDK. - Integrated loopback and app-to-app MIDI functionalities. - Automatic translation between MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0 based on specific API, application, and device requirements. - Expanded device metadata accessible to applications. - Enhanced notifications for device addition, updates, and removals. - Backwards compatibility with the WinMM (MME) MIDI 1.0 API. - Open source components developed in collaboration with global hardware and software partners. Additionally, Windows 11 introduces a new OneDrive feature for seamless transitions between mobile and PC work.

Winsage

February 6, 2025

Windows MIDI Services Public Preview: MIDI 2.0, Multi-Client Support, and More

Microsoft has released a public preview of Windows MIDI Services in the latest build of Windows 11 for Windows Insiders on the Canary Channel. Key features include: - Full support for the MIDI 2.0 standard, including high-speed data transmission and higher-fidelity messages. - Faster transports for improved timing and reduced jitter. - Enhanced USB MIDI driver supporting both MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0. - Multi-client support for simultaneous use of a single device by multiple applications. - In-service scheduling of timestamped messages for applications using the new Windows MIDI Services App SDK. - Built-in loopback and app-to-app MIDI support. - Automatic translation between MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0. - Increased device metadata available to applications. - Improved notifications for device add/update/remove events. - Backward compatibility with the WinMM (MME) MIDI 1.0 API and future support for WinRT MIDI 1.0. - Open-source nature of the MIDI Service, with all components being MIT-licensed open-source projects.

AppWizard

February 5, 2025

Windows 11’s app store has a solution for gigantic PC game downloads

Microsoft is testing a new feature called modular downloads for games on the Microsoft Store, currently available in the Canary Channel as part of Windows Insider Build 27888. This feature allows users to select which components of a game they wish to download, enabling them to manage their installations based on hardware capabilities and preferences. This improvement is particularly beneficial for users of Microsoft’s Game Pass service and those with data limits, as it offers a more flexible approach to managing game content.

Winsage

February 5, 2025

Windows will soon be jamming to MIDI 2.0’s music services

MIDI 2.0 is being previewed in Microsoft Windows as part of Build 27788 within the Windows 11 Canary Channel, marking the first major update to the MIDI protocol since 1983. The Windows MIDI Services include an enhanced MIDI stack that introduces MIDI 2.0 and upgrades MIDI 1.0 for compatibility with Arm64 architecture. Key features of MIDI 2.0 include increased speed and fidelity, enhanced control over instruments, modern bi-directional communication, improved USB timing, and an open-source framework. Microsoft has also provided a Software Development Kit (SDK) and is collaborating on a Network MII 2.0 transport layer for third-party equipment. Additionally, Build 27788 includes improvements such as restoring previously opened tabs in File Explorer, notifications for OneDrive file activity on mobile devices, and a feature to disable the "Start backup" prompt for certain users.