Getting input from MIDI devices live Python

Getting input from MIDI devices in real-time using Python can be a valuable skill if you're interested in creating interactive music applications, MIDI controllers, or any project that involves MIDI input. In this tutorial, we'll walk through the process of setting up Python to receive MIDI input and provide you with a code example using the mido library.
Prerequisites:
Before we get started, make sure you have the following installed on your system:
Python: You'll need Python installed on your computer. You can download it from Python's official website.
mido Library: The mido library is a popular choice for handling MIDI input/output in Python. Install it using pip:
MIDI Device: You should have a MIDI device, such as a keyboard or controller, connected to your computer.
Code Example:
Let's create a Python script that listens to MIDI input from your connected MIDI device. In this example, we will print the incoming MIDI messages, but you can modify the code to perform any desired action.
Explanation:
Import the mido library, which provides MIDI input and output capabilities.
Define a function handle_midi_message to process incoming MIDI messages. In this example, it simply prints the messages.
List available MIDI input ports using mido.get_input_names().
Choose a specific MIDI input port by setting input_port_name to your MIDI device's name. Make sure to modify it accordingly.
Inside a try-except block, open the selected MIDI input port with mido.open_input.
Use an infinite loop to listen for incoming MIDI messages with midi_in.iter_pending() and process them using the handle_midi_message function.
The script will continue to run until you stop it manually (Ctrl+C). Upon exiting, it closes the MIDI input port.
Running the Script:
Save the script to a .py file, e.g., midi_input.py.
Open a terminal or command prompt and navigate to the directory where you saved the script.
Run the script using python midi_input.py.
You should see a list of available MIDI input ports. Choose the one corresponding to your MIDI device.
Your Python script will now print incoming MIDI messages from your device in real-time.
This example provides a foundation for working with real-time MIDI input in Python. You can extend it to create your own interactive music applications or MIDI controllers by defining custom actions based on the received MIDI messages.
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