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The Mysterious Birth of MIDI: How David Smith Changed the World of Electronic Instruments?
In the history of electronic music, there is one name that will never be forgotten, that is Dave Smith. As the founder of Sequential Circuits, Smith not only left a profound footprint in the development of synthesizers, but also promoted the birth of MIDI in the 1980s. This article will take you into Smith's story and witness how he changed the way music is created and took electronic instruments to new heights.
Innovators in Silicon Valley
In 1974, Smith founded Sequential Circuits in San Francisco, USA. The brand quickly emerged in the music industry. The company's first product was an analog programmer for Moog and ARP synthesizers, followed by digital programmers and the Model 700 Programmer, which were very popular in the market at the time.
In 1978, Smith's Prophet-5 became the first programmable polyphonic synthesizer, revolutionizing music creation.
The birth of MIDI
By 1981, driven by Roland founder Takeo Ikeda, Smith began to seek a standardized method to synchronize electronic instruments from different companies. This new standard eventually became MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface), marking a major advancement in music technology and giving many musicians unprecedented creative freedom.
Smith once said: "We created a bridge that allowed different instruments to work together."
Challenge and Rebirth
However, as market trends changed, Sequential Circuits declared bankruptcy in 1987. Smith attributes all of this to the company's risky early decision to turn to computer audio. Although he lost his company at this time, he did not give up music and innovation. After that, he founded Dave Smith Instruments and continued to promote the development of electronic music.
Regaining old dreams
In 2015, Yamaha returned the Sequential Circuits trademark to Smith. This was a symbolic move that also rekindled Smith’s creative passion. He subsequently launched new products such as the Prophet-6 and Prophet-X, which were huge improvements in technology and sound quality and earned him widespread acclaim.
The moment he returned to Sequential, Smith was filled with emotion: "This is the most important return in my life."
The future of music
In 2021, Sequential was acquired by Focusrite, a British audio technology company, which brought the company's development to a new leap. As the music industry changes, Smith has always driven the evolution of the industry with his unique perspective and forward-looking technology. Even when he passes away in 2022, his innovative spirit and love for music still influence countless musicians.
David Smith's story is an example of the intersection of technology and art. His innovations have made electronic music a diverse and dynamic field. As time goes by, the concept of MIDI has penetrated into the hearts of every music creator. So which new direction will future music creation lead us to?
