midi

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a protocol that allows various electronic instruments and MIDI software to communicate with each other. The standard MIDI connector (5 pin DIN cable) is used to connect MIDI hardware, although some devices can also send MIDI data via USB cables to computers with MIDI software. MIDI software can also communicate using this data, eg. the MIDI sequencer in a program can send this information to a MIDI plugin.

An audio server, or sound server, is software that manages the use of audio devices. Such software typically runs in the background. PulseAudio is the standard audio server for desktop audio on Linux, while JACK is the standard audio server for professional audio on Linux.

Modular set ups are where more than one program is used in a set up. JACK allows you to connect and sync various audio programs together so you can benefit from the strengths of individual applications. Session management can be used to manage and recall such complex set ups. A good suite of modular applications is the Non suite, which includes Non timeline, Non mixer and Non sequencer, although any JACK application can be incorporated into a modular set up.

Monolithic set ups are where you do all your work in one program. This is the most common approach people using Windows and Mac audio software will be used to. In Linux, JACK allows for very modular set ups, although some applications are fully featured and can also be used as monolithic set ups, eg. Ardour and Qtractor.