A bit of history

The MIDI format was introduced two decades ago with the juggernaut of electronic music, which gave birth to desktop music. It is the outcome of the efforts to standardise the communication between two different types of electronic instruments, including computers.

Atari popularised its well-known ST 520 and 1040 by integrating an interface into the central unit. Simple cables equipped with DIN plugs enabled musicians to program complete musical arrangements (bass, drum, guitar, piano, percussion, etc.).

This is not about compression nor about sound. MIDI is the abbreviation of "Musical Instrument Digital Interface".