Difference between audio and MIDI｜Organizing editing methods that are confusing for DTM beginners

DAW uses audio tracks and MIDI tracks. They have different looks and editing methods, but neither is better than the other, and their roles are different.

What is audio?

Data recorded as waveforms of audio from microphones, guitars, actual performances, sample materials, etc. It includes the texture of the recorded voice, the sound of the room, and the expression of the performance.

What is MIDI?

Performance information such as pitch, length, timing, strength, etc. Send commands to the software sound source to play the piano, synth, or drums. The MIDI file itself does not contain the finished sound.

Differences in editing

MIDI allows you to move notes and freely change the length, intensity, and tone later. Audio editing mainly involves cutting and stretching waveforms, changing volume, and correcting pitch.

Which one to use?

Audio if you want to preserve the sound of singing, live guitar, or an actual amp or room. MIDI is convenient for drums, bass, piano, and synths where you want to change the pitch or instrument later.

Why convert MIDI to audio?

This is to reduce CPU load, pass the same sound to collaborators, and ensure that it can be reproduced even after updating the sound source. If you leave the MIDI track before conversion hidden, you can correct it later.

Audio cannot be completely converted back to MIDI

Although there are functions that can analyze the pitch of single notes and the timing of drums, it is difficult to completely restore complex recordings to the original performance information. Save the data before conversion.

At first, it is enough to remember that singing and live instruments are called audio, and soft sound sources are called MIDI. As production progresses, organize it by exporting it to audio as needed.