No, it’s not what we are building. But we can dream big. (original photo by Franck V.)

Web MIDI API — sending notes from JavaScript to your synth

Let JavaScript be your pianola

Music has always been a part of human history and so was the desire to capture and replay it. Long before the analogue and digital means of storing sound were created much more interesting methods had been used. In 1895, the first pianola was created by Edwin Scott Votey. This instrument, resembling a piano but able to play by itself, quickly became a big hit to the point of surpassing the popularity of original pianos for a brief moment. It was until the 1920's when modern technology started being developed and other means of recording and music recreation become popular.

Nowadays no one is really surprised by the fact that devices can store and playback music. Still, many electronic instruments do not have the capabilities of playing by themselves, but they often provide a MIDI IN port. With a little help of JavaScript, we can bring them to life.

Hardware needed