Jim Mothersbaugh
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James Michael Mothersbaugh is an American electronic engineer and former musician. He was the second drummer of the new wave band Devo, replacing Rod Reisman who played for only one show. Mothersbaugh
Mothersbaugh in 2019
MIDI
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Musical Instrument Digital Interface is a technical standard that describes a communication protocol, digital interface, and electrical connectors that connect a wide variety of electronic musical ins
Jim Mothersbaugh
…Later on, he performed as an equipment technician for the band on the 1980 tour, and worked at Roland through much of the 1980s helping to develop MIDI technology. Jim Mothersbaugh at AllMusic…
Using MIDI, a single controller (often a musical keyboard, as pictured here) can play multiple electronic instruments, which increases the portability and flexibility of stage setups. This system fits into a single rack case, but before MIDI, it would have required four separate full-size keyboard instruments, plus outboard mixing and effects units.
Dave Smith (right), one of the creators of MIDI
5-pin DIN MIDI cable plugged in a socket
Smaller MIDI controllers are popular due to their portability. This two-octave unit provides a variety of controls for manipulating various sound design parameters of computer-based or standalone hardware instruments, effects, mixers and recording devices.