Dave Smith, Father Of MIDI, To Get Technical Grammy
Advancements in music making technology don’t seem to get the type of credit it deserves. Even though their implications revolve around the same scientific advancement of all things, not just music, it isn’t enough to win someone a Nobel Prize. Thos who pioneered nuclear technology found in submarine reactors and hydrogen bombs have been awarded time and time again, yet when a new way to communicate between two devices is found (without death and destruction) it isn’t seen as revolutionary. Those who have a background in synthesizers and understand how they work know that it isn’t as simple as taping two pieces of wire together. It’s something very complicated that needs to be understood at a technical level. Dave Smith, the “father” of MIDI has finally gotten the credit he deserves. A technical Grammy has been award to this pioneer (since a Nobel Prize was out of the question). Dave Smith’s quest began long ago, with colleague Kakehashi, who founded Roland in the same era. It began as a simple question, “How do I get two piece of hardware to communicate with each other?” Through his line of synthesizers and drum machines, his vision was finally realized. The tetra and tempest are two examples of his work that has started the groundwork behind modern midi controllers. http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2012/12/12/dave-smith-father-of-midi-to-get-technical-grammy/