AMEI developing Open Source MIDI 2.0 Host Driver for Windows
The Association of Musical Electronics Industries (AMEI), the organization that oversees the MIDI specification in Japan, has announced that it is committed to funding the development of an open-source USB MIDI 2.0 Host Driver for Windows Operating Systems, under a memorandum of understanding between AMEI, AmeNote Inc, and Microsoft.
AMEI is underwriting the cost and has engaged AmeNote Inc. to develop the driver, because of AmeNote’s experience in MIDI 2.0 and USB development.
In addition, Microsoft has agreed to start development of a Windows standard open-source MIDI 2.0 API. The driver and API will be managed as a permissively-licensed (MIT license) Microsoft open-source project. Anyone will be able to participate in the development, as an open-source contributor in the future, or to use the code in their own devices or operating systems.
Because of this open source arrangement, continuous and timely improvements and enhancements to the USB MIDI 2.0 Host driver and MIDI 2.0 API are expected. Development is currently underway with the goal of completing the development in 2023.
MIDI 2.0 is a global industry-wide effort. The MIDI Association (TMA), is the organization that oversees the MIDI specification, in all other areas of the world besides Japan.
TMA recently funded AmeNote’s development of the ProtoZOA, a USB MIDI 2.0 prototyping board that software developers can use to test with their MIDI 2.0 applications. AmeNote plans to release large parts of the ProtoZOA firmware as open-source code, so all hardware developers can use that code and incorporate it in their own MIDI 2.0 devices.
TMA members Apple and Google have already announced and released their support for MIDI 2.0. AMEI and TMA have also recently engaged with members of the ALSA community about the development of open-source drivers and APIs for the Linux platform.
