Music Hackspace, The MIDI Association, and NAMM have opened submissions for the 2024 MIDI Innovation Awards, a showcase for music innovation using MIDI.
MIDI has been at the center of music technology innovation since 1983, and MIDI 2.0 is poised to build on MIDI 1.0’s global success. To further MIDI’s development and artistic impact, the fourth edition of the MIDI Innovation Awards continues to acknowledge MIDI innovation.
Tim Carroll, President of The MIDI Association and CEO of Focusrite Group, remarked, “The MIDI Innovation Awards are particularly special to all of us at the MIDI Association: a real testament to the limitless possibilities when empowering technology like MIDI 2.0 is in the hands of imaginative artists and creators. We very much look forward to seeing what new innovations are in store this year.“
The MIDI Innovation Awards provides musicians and inventors around the world with a unique opportunity to present their ideas on a global stage, as well as win valuable prizes, including exhibition space at the 2025 NAMM Show, Music China 2024, and Synthfest Sheffield 2024, as well as significant support from The MIDI Association for the development of MIDI 2.0 prototypes.
John Mlynczak, President and CEO of NAMM, added “NAMM is proud to once again support the MIDI Innovation Awards. Since MIDI was launched at The NAMM Show 40 years ago, we have continued to be amazed at the innovation of companies and are excited to see where MIDI 2.0 takes us in the future.”
Open to individuals, artists, and companies who work with MIDI to build innovative products or interactive experiences, the MIDI Innovation Awards are classified into five unique categories:
- Commercial Hardware Products
- Commercial Software Products
- Prototypes and non-commercial hardware products
- Prototypes and non-commercial software products
- Artistic/Visual Project or Installation
The MIDI Innovation Awards welcomes entries from, but not limited to: MIDI instruments, controllers, software, art installation, MIDI peripherals, I/O boxes, lighting systems, automated systems, and more.
Entries to the MIDI Innovation Awards competition are open, and applicants are invited to submit their entries here: Awards Submit – MIDI.org
A jury is being assembled to represent the wider music industry and its many facets, including artists, engineers, and innovators. Entries will be judged on four attributes: innovation, inspiring and novel qualities, interoperability, and practical/commercial viability.
JB Thiebaut, CEO of Music Hackspace added, “The MIDI Innovation Awards stand as a pivotal platform for independent developers, makers, and artists, offering a path to worldwide acclaim, especially now with the expansive opportunities MIDI 2.0 brings”.
“The world’s leading music technology magazine,” Sound On Sound, is the official media partner, supporting and covering the competition. NAMM, Music China, and SynthFest UK are among the prize partners who will showcase the winner’s products.
Entering the competition is free, and registration is open until May 18th. Innovators are invited to submit their entries by visiting The MIDI Association website.
More information about the MIDI Innovation Awards is here.
Its hard to imagine many tools in a “Best” category when the range of promising things is so broad. Current music technology has as much science-fiction to it as the wildest movies. All it needs is a few more players whose alternate-controller demos shred. Its great to see those because you know the instrument inspired the player to a high degree.