musicians Archives

AppWizard

March 25, 2025

Hear Jack Black, Dave Grohl and more on epic new Minecraft single I…

Jack Black and Dave Grohl collaborated on a new song titled "I Feel Alive" for the upcoming A Minecraft Movie, set to be released on April 4. Black voices the character Steve, while Grohl plays drums on the track. Other musicians involved include Troy Van Leeuwen on guitar, Roger Manning on keys, Mark Ronson on bass and rhythm guitar, and Danielle Brooks providing background vocals. The film, directed by Jared Hess, follows four misfits who are transported to the Overworld and must navigate challenges to return home.

AppWizard

March 20, 2025

United Videogame Workers union launches with CWA backing

United Videogame Workers has been launched as a new initiative for professionals in the gaming industry, backed by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the American Federation of Musicians (AFM). The union aims to empower marginalized workers, including laid-off employees, contractors, and freelancers. Its mission is to reclaim the contributions of the workforce from higher-ups. Tom Smith, CWA’s senior director of organizing, emphasized that the union's creation is a collective effort by video game workers. CWA president Claude Cummings Jr. noted the significance of the union in helping video game workers build power amid troubling trends of consolidation in the industry, which have led to layoffs and the sidelining of creative workers.

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 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

December 1, 2024

Helldivers 2 composer almost gave up on orchestral scores before its monumental success

Wilbert Roget, the composer of Helldivers 2, initially considered leaving orchestral game music due to perceived audience fatigue and the challenges of producing such scores. However, the positive reception of the Helldivers 2 soundtrack renewed his passion for orchestral composition. He expressed gratitude for the support from players, musicians, and developers, despite the soundtrack not receiving award nominations. Roget has a diverse background in composition, having worked on projects like Call of Duty: World War 2 and Mortal Kombat 1 and 11. He also shared an early concept sketch for the game's main theme, which evolved significantly during the creative process.

Winsage

October 24, 2024

Microsoft is making Windows great for musicians and other audio professionals

Microsoft is introducing significant updates to Windows aimed at musicians and audio professionals, including MIDI 2.0 support, which will be backward compatible with MIDI 1.0. Collaborations with Qualcomm and Yamaha have resulted in a new USB Audio Class 2 Driver for Windows. These enhancements are initially targeted at Windows on Arm PCs, with plans to extend them to Intel and AMD x86-64 devices. Upcoming musician software for Arm64 includes Steinberg Cubase and Nuendo in preview this week, Cockos Reaper currently in preview, and Reason Studios Reason set for preview in early 2025. Audio hardware updates include a vendor-specific USB Audio/ASIO driver preview from Focusrite and Steinberg/Yamaha in 2025. In-box support for ASIO and low-latency USB Audio Class 2 drivers is expected by mid-2025, with MIDI 2.0 previews available in Windows Insider builds this November and retail availability expected early next year.