Music Accessibility Standard (MAS)

[BlindMusician]

Meeting March 13th, 2025
The MASSIG working group convened on March 13th for a meeting, starting at 08:05 AM Pacific time. The meeting experienced scheduling confusion due to daylight saving time changes. The primary focus was on music accessibility, technology integration, and educational initiatives targeting teenagers.
Participants:

• Athan Billias, The MIDI Association Executive Board Member
• Haim Kairy from Arcana Instruments
• Tim ABurgess
• Brian Walton from Riban Ltd

Agenda:

1. Introduction of Tim Burgess and his work in accessibility
2. Discussion on recent projects and initiatives
3. MIDI DAW control profile updates
4. Educational outreach for teenagers in technology and accessibility
5. Music accessibility innovation award proposal

Introduction of Tim Burgess and His Work in Accessibility:

• Tim Burgess introduced himself as an accessibility consultant focusing on visual impairment.
• Shared his background as a musician and software developer.
• Highlighted his work with companies like Ableton, Native Instruments, and Avid on accessibility projects.

Recent Projects and Initiatives

• Haim Kairy described a project with Bettermaker hardware for voice control and feedback using MIDI commands.
• The project was demonstrated at NAM, with Stevie Wonder expressing interest.
• Discussed the adaptability and accessibility of the project across multiple languages and technologies.

MIDI DAW Control Profile Updates

• Athan Billias discussed efforts to standardize DAW control with MIDI specifications.
• The focus is on replacing Mackie Control with a new standardized MIDI association specification.
• Emphasized the importance of property exchange and JSON data for human and machine readability.

Educational Outreach for Teenagers

• Brian Walton proposed engaging teenagers in technology projects with an emphasis on accessibility.
• Suggested creating a framework for informing students about accessibility in technological projects.
• Discussed the possibility of integrating such initiatives within existing educational curriculums.

Music Accessibility Innovation Award Proposal

• Athan Billias proposed a music accessibility innovation award to encourage young talent.
• Suggested promoting the award through community colleges and similar institutions.
• Discussed the potential for collaboration with educational bodies and media to highlight accessibility in music.

Conclusions:

• Participants agreed on the need to focus on educational outreach and integration of accessibility into technology curriculums.
• Decided to explore the feasibility of a music accessibility innovation award to inspire teenagers.

Kind regards,
Juho Tuomainen, WG Chair

[BlindMusician]

Meeting (March 27, 2025):
Dear KVR Audio Forum Topic Readers,
On March 27st, 2025, we had a MASSIG meeting which focused on discussing strategies to improve accessibility in music education and instrument availability for people with disabilities. Key topics included the development of lending libraries for accessible instruments, the potential for collaboration with existing assistive technology organizations, and the creation of a centralized resource or directory for accessible musical instruments.
Participants

• Haim Kairy from Arcana Istruments
• Jay Pocknell, Music Support Officer of the Media, Culture and Immersive Technologies Team of RNIB
• Tim Yates from Drake Music
• Simon Tew
• Tim Burgess
• Athan Billias
• Brian Walton

Agenda Overview:

• Introduction of new participants and overview of meeting processes
• Discussion on the creation of lending libraries for accessible music instruments
• Exploration of industry partnerships and collaborations
• Consideration of a centralized directory for accessible music instruments
• Discussion on tagging and accessibility features in music products

Lending Library for Accessible Instruments:

• Haim Kairy proposed establishing lending libraries in collaboration with NAMM and large music franchises like Guitar Center and School of Rock.
• Simon Tew suggested partnering with assistive technology organizations such as Easterseals.
• The goal is to provide access to music education for children with disabilities and raise awareness among parents.

Industry Collaboration

• Discussion on potential collaboration with UK-based organizations like Creative United and the Inclusive Music Consortium.
• Tim Yates highlighted challenges faced by music retailers in the UK in adopting accessible solutions.
• Jay Pocknell and Tim Burgess discussed the need for retailers and manufacturers to improve their understanding and support of accessible instruments.

Accessible Music Directory

• Haim Kairy and Tim Yates discussed the idea of creating a self-serve portal for accessible music instruments where manufacturers can list their products.
• Tim Yates shared insights from the AMIC (Accessible Musical Instrumentation Collection) project aimed at cataloging accessible instruments and resources.

Taging and Accessible Features

• Discussion on the absence of standardized tags for accessible music products.
• Jay Pocknell and Tim Burgess mentioned the success of accessibility tags in gaming and proposed exploring similar initiatives for music products.
• The conversation also touched upon challenges in implementing comprehensive accessibility features across music software and hardware.

In conclusion, many interesting points were discussed in this meeting.
Kind regards,
Juho Tuomainen, WG Chair

[BlindMusician]

MASSIG Meeting Notes (April 10th, 2025)
Dear KVR Audio Forum Topic Readers,
On April 10th, 2025, we had a MASSIG meeting which handled interesting topics. It focused on discussions related to music accessibility, wellness in music, and upcoming projects and events. Key topics included collaboration opportunities, the role of wellness in music, and the technical development of MIDI 2.0 and its implications for accessibility. Here would be some technical terms:

• MIDI 2.0: A new protocol for enhanced communication between music devices.
• Binaural Beats: Audio recordings that use separate tones in each ear to create a perception of a single tone, used in wellness.
• MIDI CI Helper: A tool to facilitate integration of MIDI 2.0 with DAWs.

Participants:

• Athan Billias, The MIDI Association Executive Board Member
• Haim Kairy, Acting hair fro Arcana Instruments
• Tim Burgess
• Juho Tuomainen, WG Chair
• Matt Shuttleworth
• Paul J

Agenda Overview:

• Introduction of collaboration opportunities with Bradley Martin and Jonathan Savage
• Discussion on the role of wellness in music therapy
• Technical developments and MIDI 2.0 compliance
• Planning for upcoming events and webinars
• Discussion on accessibility and integration of voice recognition in music software

Collaboration Opportunities

• Bradley Martin: Runs A Cosmic Bridge in Southern California, interested in music accessibility and wellness.
• Jonathan Savage: From UCanPlay, interested in creating accessible music libraries in schools in the UK with potential expansion outside the UK.

Wellness and Music Therapy

• Discussion on the use of binaural beats and their benefits for stress relief and heart rate reduction.
• Mention of (url=https://www.healthtunes.org/]HealthTunes[/url] and its free service for accessing wellness music.

Technical Developments

• MIDI 2.0: Current compliance by Logic and Steinberg, with upcoming meetings at Ableton offices in Berlin.
• Development of a MIDI CI Helper to enhance accessibility and integrate MIDI 2.0 with DAWs.

Voice Recognition in Music Software

• Ongoing research into using voice recognition for controlling music devices.
• Mention of OpenAI’s Whisper for local speech-to-text capabilities.

Planning and Events
[lsit]
[*]Upcoming webinar planning with a focus on music accessibility and wellness.
[*]Encouragement for submissions to the MIDI Innovation Awards with a focus on accessibility.
[/list]
Conclusions

• Let’s conclude that…” the focus on accessibility in all projects is crucial, and technical developments should prioritize this aspect.
• We have reached a decision to…” use the upcoming events to further promote accessibility initiatives and gather more community involvement.

Kind regards,
Juho Tuomainen, WG Chair

[BlindMusician]

MASSIG Meeting Notes (April 17th, 2025)
Hello KVR Audio Forum Topic Readers,
On April 17th, 2025, we had a MASSIG meeting which focused on discussions surrounding accessibility in music education, the involvement of various organizations, and the development of initiatives to promote inclusion. Key topics included the integration of accessible instruments and tools, collaboration with educational institutions, and the exploration of funding opportunities.
Participants:

• Athan Billias, The MIDI Association Executive Board Member
• Haim Kairy,Acting hair from Arcana Instruments
• Matt Shuttleworth
• Brian Walton from Riban Ltd
• Samuel Prouse, a pHD Student from the University os Portsmouth, UK

Agenda Overview:

• Discussion on accessibility in music and education
• Collaboration with organizations and schools
• Planning for upcoming webinars and meetings
• Evaluation of accessible instruments and their availability

The following discussion was made from the topics above:

• Accessibility in Music: Athan Billias highlighted the need for more work on neurodiversity and accessibility, referencing his visit to the MIT Media Lab and the potential use of music AI in accessibility.
• Collaboration with Schools: Haim Kairy discussed a draft proposal for music schools and emphasized the importance of including schools that are accessible for people with disabilities.
• Instrument Accessibility: There was a discussion on the difference between bespoke accessibility instruments and those with built-in accessibility features from the start, such as those made by Ableton and Arturia.
• Funding and Support: The meeting covered the potential for obtaining instrument donations from manufacturers and the importance of involving local organizations to minimize costs.
• Remote Training: The potential for remote training was discussed, with emphasis on utilizing existing platforms to make training more accessible.
• Music Production Tools: The discussion included the accessibility of music production tools like Soundtrap and Cubase, with a focus on identifying popular tools in education that are also accessible.

Finally, I would recommend you to check out the Time Music UK Website.
Kind regards,
Juho Tuomainen, WG Chair

[BlindMusician]

MASSIG Meeting Notes (April 24th, 2025)
Hello all KVR readers reading this message thread,
On April 24th, 2025, we had a MASSIG meeting which focused on discussing the progress and future plans related to music accessibility initiatives, including education pilots and webinars. Participants shared ideas on engaging with schools and organizations to promote accessible music instruments and programs.
Participants

• Athan Billias, The MIDI Association Executive Board Member
• Haim Kairy, Acting Chair from Arcana Instruments
• Tim Yates
• Matt Shuttleworth
• Jay Pocknell, the Music Support Officer from the Media, Culture and Immersive Technologies Team of RNIB
• Juho Tuomainen
  [slitt]
  Agenda Overview:
  • Discussion on new articles and resources
  • Education pilot initiative
  • Planning for upcoming webinars
  • Collaborations with schools and organizations
  New Articles and Resources
  • Athan Billias mentioned links to articles on “Sound Without Side,” “Drake Music,” and “Able Assembly,” which will be updated regularly.
  Education Pilot Initiative
  • The focus was on starting education pilots with schools to promote accessible music instruments.
  • Tim Yates expressed concerns about tight timelines and the need for substantial funding.
  • Discussions on starting pilots in Bristol or London due to existing connections with organizations like Drake Music and Open Up Music.
  • Jay Pocknell suggested collaborating with organizations like RNIB and The Amber Trust for leveraging existing relationships with schools.
  Planning for Upcoming Webinars
  • A webinar is planned with a tentative agenda of 30 minutes of presentation and 15 minutes of Q&A.
  • Athan Billias suggested involving various presenters from related organizations to introduce their projects.
  • The webinar will be promoted through newsletters and media association channels, aiming to reach developers and MIDI enthusiasts.
    Collaborations with Schools and Organizations
    • Discussions on partnering with music hubs and organizations like Yamaha, FocusRight, and Technology Music Education Time UK.
    • Identifying potential schools in London and Manchester for pilot projects.
    • Emphasis on involving higher education institutions as they may offer research opportunities and resources.
    • Planning informal meetings at upcoming conferences to discuss these initiatives further.
    Now that we've got (and caught up) all the past MASSIG meeting updates, let's go baack to the present with the MASSIG meeting updates from July 10th onwards.
    Kind regards,
    Juho Tuomainen, WG Chair

[BlindMusician]

Dear KVR Audio Forum Topic readers,
On July 10th, 2025, we had a MASSIG meeting which was convened to discuss recent developments in digital accessible technology and music innovations, particularly focusing on the Royal Society Science Exhibition and the MIDI Innovation Awards. The meeting also aimed to coordinate future events and collaborations among the participants.
Technical Terms

• MIDI 2.0: A new category in the MIDI Innovation Awards.
• Sympathetic Synthesizer: An innovative product entry in the MIDI Innovation Awards.
• UniMidi Hub: Another notable entry in the awards.

Participants

• Athan Billias, The MIDI Association Executive Boar Member
• Tim Yates
• Jay Pocknell, the Music Support Officer from the Media, Culture and Immersive Technologies Team of RNIB
• Emanuele Parravicini from Audio Modeling
• Juho Tuomainen, WG Chair

Agenda Overview

• Overview of the Royal Society Science Exhibition
• Update on the MIDI Innovation Awards
• Discussion on future events and collaborations, including Music China and NAM
• Exploration of assistive technologies and potential showcases

Royal Society Science Exhibition

• Tim Yates provided a review of the Royal Society Science Exhibition.
• A significant number of people, approximately 12,000, attended the exhibition.
• The exhibition featured accessible music instruments and involved musicians from the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
• The event was well-received and considered a success in promoting accessible music technology.
• A report on digital accessible technology was released by the Royal Society, highlighting the development of accessible instruments.

MIDI Innovation Awards

• Athan Billias discussed the MIDI Innovation Awards, noting a record 118 entries.
• A new category for MIDI 2.0 was added.
• Various innovative products were mentioned, including the Sympathetic Synthesizer from Zen and the UniMidi Hub.
• Plans to feature these products at Music China and potential giveaways were discussed.

Future Events and Collaborations

• Discussions on organizing an accessibility event at the media association booth during NAM.
• Exploration of possible collaborations with organizations like TechTrax and a three e for larger events.
• Potential involvement of artists like Tony, the one-armed guitarist, at NAM events.
• Coordination for the Able Assembly event, focusing on showcasing accessible instruments.
• Discussions on participating in the Texas Music Educators Association show to promote accessibility in music education.

Conclusions

• The meeting was productive, with significant progress made on multiple fronts.
• Participants agreed to continue discussions and collaborations for upcoming events.
• The importance of coordination and strategic planning for future events was emphasized.

Kind regards,
Juho Tuomainen, WG Chair

[BlindMusician]

Dear KVR Audio Forum Topic readers,
On July 10th, 2025, we had a MASSIG meeting which was convened to discuss recent developments in digital accessible technology and music innovations, particularly focusing on the Royal Society Science Exhibition and the MIDI Innovation Awards. The meeting also aimed to coordinate future events and collaborations among the participants.
Technical Terms

• MIDI 2.0: A new category in the MIDI Innovation Awards.
• Sympathetic Synthesizer: An innovative product entry in the MIDI Innovation Awards.
• UniMidi Hub: Another notable entry in the awards.

Participants

• Athan Billias, The MIDI Association Executive Boar Member
• Tim Yates
• Jay Pocknell, the Music Support Officer from the Media, Culture and Immersive Technologies Team of RNIB
• Emanuele Parravicini from Audio Modeling
• Juho Tuomainen, WG Chair

Agenda Overview

• Overview of the Royal Society Science Exhibition
• Update on the MIDI Innovation Awards
• Discussion on future events and collaborations, including Music China and NAM
• Exploration of assistive technologies and potential showcases

Royal Society Science Exhibition

• Tim Yates provided a review of the Royal Society Science Exhibition.
• A significant number of people, approximately 12,000, attended the exhibition.
• The exhibition featured accessible music instruments and involved musicians from the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
• The event was well-received and considered a success in promoting accessible music technology.
• A report on digital accessible technology was released by the Royal Society, highlighting the development of accessible instruments.

MIDI Innovation Awards

• Athan Billias discussed the MIDI Innovation Awards, noting a record 118 entries.
• A new category for MIDI 2.0 was added.
• Various innovative products were mentioned, including the Sympathetic Synthesizer from Zen and the UniMidi Hub.
• Plans to feature these products at Music China and potential giveaways were discussed.

Future Events and Collaborations

• Discussions on organizing an accessibility event at the media association booth during NAM.
• Exploration of possible collaborations with organizations like TechTrax and a three e for larger events.
• Potential involvement of artists like Tony, the one-armed guitarist, at NAM events.
• Coordination for the Able Assembly event, focusing on showcasing accessible instruments.
• Discussions on participating in the Texas Music Educators Association show to promote accessibility in music education.

Conclusions

• The meeting was productive, with significant progress made on multiple fronts.
• Participants agreed to continue discussions and collaborations for upcoming events.
• The importance of coordination and strategic planning for future events was emphasized.

Kind regards,
Juho Tuomainen, WG Chair
Meeting (July 24th, 2025)
Dear KVR Audio Folks,
On July 24th, 2025, we had a MASSIG meeting which was focused on discussing updates related to the MIDI Innovation Awards, accessibility initiatives, and upcoming events. Participants also talked about the integration of accessible products into various educational and musical settings.
Participants

• Jay Pocknell, the Music Support Officer from the Media, Culture and Immersive Technologies Team of RNIB
• Athan Billias, The MIDI Association Executive Board Member
• Haim Kairy, Acting Chair from Arcana Instruments
• Emanuele Parravicini from Audio Modeling
• Sam Prouse, a ppHD Student from University os Porthsmouth, UK
• Juho Tuomainen, WG Chair
• Byron Michael Harden
• Brian Walton from Riban Ltd

Agenda Overview

• Updates on MIDI Innovation Awards
• Accessibility initiatives and technologies
• Upcoming events and coordination
• Integration of accessible musical instruments in education

MIDI Innovation Awards

• Athan Billias provided updates on articles focused on accessibility in the MIDI Innovation Awards.
• Andrew Quang, partially deaf, will host the MIDI Innovation Award show.

Accessibility Initiatives

• Discussion on using the “Alt Text AI” plugin to generate alt text for website photos.
• Sam Prouse volunteered to review and enhance alt text for MIDI Innovation Award entries.
• Emphasis on involving more accessible products from MIDI Association companies.

Events and Coordination

• Upcoming AMEI meeting to discuss workshop details.
• Discussion about providing funding for the accessibility workshop similar to last year.
• Coordination for displaying accessible products at events like Synth Fest UK and NAM.

Educational Integration

• Haim Kairy shared updates about School 21’s December event planning.
• Discussion on integrating accessible instruments and training into the curriculum.
• Emphasis on including both students with accessibility challenges and regular students.

Conclusions

• MIDI Association agreed to provide funding for the accessibility workshop.
• A structured approach to involve accessible products in upcoming events was finalized.

More information coming soon!
Kind regards,
Juho Tuomainen, WG Chair

[BlindMusician]

Dear KVR Audio Forum Topic Readers,
On Thursday, July 31st, 2025, we had a MASSIG meeting which focused on discussing the progress and initiatives related to the MIDI Association, specifically targeting accessibility in music technology. The conversation included introductions of new participants, discussions on ongoing projects, and the exploration of potential collaborations to enhance music accessibility through innovative technologies.
Participants

• Athan Billias, The MIDI Association Executive Board Member
• Haim Kairy, Acting Chair from Arcana Instruments
• Ewa Bukowska
• Juho Tuomainen, WG Chair and UEF Computer Science Master Student
• Jay Pocknell, the Music Support Officer from the Media, Culture and Immersive Technologies Team of RNIB
• Samuel "Sam" Prouse, a pHD Student from University of Portsmouth, UK
• Brian Walton from Riban Ltd

Here would be some Technical Terms:

• MIDI: Musical Instrument Digital Interface, a technical standard that allows electronic musical instruments to communicate.
• AMEI: Association of Music Electronics Industry, involved in promoting music technology standards.
• HID: Human Interface Device, a type of device standard, like a keyboard or mouse.
• Bluetooth MIDI: A wireless MIDI standard that allows MIDI data to be sent over Bluetooth.
• Velocity and Aftertouch: MIDI parameters that affect how notes are played, related to pressure sensitivity.

The following discussions were made in the meeting:

• Introduction of Participants: New member Ewa Bukowska from Cosmo as well as all the other MASSIG members (Athan, Samuel, Brian, Jay, Haim and Juho Tuomainen from University of Eastern Finland), introduced themselves, sharing their backgrounds and interests in music accessibility and in the MASSIG.
• MIDI Innovation Awards: Athan Billias discussed the current status of the MIDI Innovation Awards, emphasizing the focus on accessibility and the selection process of finalists.
• Accessibility Initiatives: Ewa Bukowska shared insights on Cosmo’s products designed for special education. The discussion highlighted the importance of interoperability and the challenges faced by educators in integrating various tech products.
• Technical Collaboration: Haim Kairy and other participants explored the potential of integrating MIDI technologies with Cosmo’s products to enhance their capabilities, such as pressure sensitivity and remote connectivity.
• Future Plans: The group discussed the potential for organizing future meetings focused on technical developments and marketing strategies. The idea of creating a lending library for accessible music instruments in collaboration with Drake Music was also proposed.

Conclusions

• The group agreed to explore the integration of MIDI technologies with Cosmo products to enhance their accessibility features.
• There was consensus on the need for better interoperability among tech products used in educational settings.
• Participants decided to continue organizing meetings with a focus on both technical and marketing aspects to promote accessibility in music technology.

Kind regards,
Juho Tuomainen, WG Chair

[BlindMusician]

Dear KVR Audio Forum Topic Readers,
On July 17th, 2025, we had a MASSIG meeting which focused on discussing the integration of accessibility into various musical events and platforms, particularly the MIDI Innovation Awards. Participants also explored opportunities for collaboration with other organizations and events like NAM and CSUN to promote accessible music technology.
Participants:

• Juho Tuomainen, WG Chair and UEF Computer Science Master's Studdent
• Athan Billias, The MIDI Association Executive Board Member
• Tim Yates from Drake Music
• Haim Kairy, WG Acting Chair from Arcana Instruments
• Jay Pocknell, the Music Support Officer from the Media, Culture and Immersive Technologies Team of RNIB

Agenda Overview:

• Updates on the MIDI Innovation Awards
• Planning for Music China and other international events
• Discussion on accessibility in music technology
• Collaboration with NAM and CSUN

The following points were discussed/decided there:

• MIDI Innovation Awards: The event will feature Andrew Huang as the host. The awards have received 121 entries, doubling from the previous year. Discussions included the potential of adding a voting category for accessibility in future awards.
• Music China: Plans for a panel on accessibility were discussed, with a potential presentation at the Kakahashi Foundation in Tokyo.
• CSUN Conference: The possibility of showcasing accessible musical instruments was considered. The idea of reaching out to NAM for collaboration and financial support was explored.
• Future Events: The participants discussed the idea of having “tentpole” events like Music China, NAM, and CSUN to create a cohesive program with a focus on accessibility.
• Collaboration and Funding: Strategies for securing funding through matching funds from organizations like NAM and sponsors were considered to support initiatives focused on accessibility.

Conclusions:

• The group decided to pursue NAM for potential funding and collaboration for showcasing at CSUN.
• Participants agreed on the importance of integrating music performances into these events to demonstrate accessibility in action.

Kind regards,
Juho Tuomainen, WG Chair

[BlindMusician]

Dear KVR Audio Readers,
On August 7, 2025, we had a MASSIG meeting which focused on different topics on a broad spectrum. We handled, for example, sign language differences across countries and the idea of creating a sign language for musical notation. Additionally, there was discussion about entries for the MIDI Innovation Awards and ensuring access to necessary resources for all participants. Also, we discussed the various aspects of the MIDI Innovation Awards (others than the entries), accessibility initiatives for upcoming events, and collaboration opportunities for product development and education.
Participants:

• Juho Tuomainen, WG Chair, UEF Computer Science Master Student
• Athan Billias, The MIDI Association Eecutive Board Member
• Haim Kairy, Acting Chair from Arcana Instruments
• Jay Pocknell
• Ewa Bukowska from Kosmo
• Gawain Hewit, an artist and composer from Uited Kingdom

First and foremost, here are some Technical Terms:

• MIDI: Musical Instrument Digital Interface

Agenda Overview:

• Discussion on sign language variations and the possibility of a musical notation sign language
• MIDI Innovation Awards entry and resource access
• Updates on meetings with ADC regarding accessibility sessions
• Discussion on corporate sponsorships for ADC
• Plans for showcasing products at upcoming trade shows
• MIDI Innovation Awards finalists and product donations
• Technical discussions on product development
• Webinar planning for AMEI

The following was discussed/decided in the meeting:

• Sign Language Differences: Athan Billias and Haim Kairy discussed the differences between sign languages in the UK, US, and Japan, noting that even within national languages, there are different dialects as mentioned by Ewa Bukowska.
• Musical Notation Sign Language: Haim Kairy suggested the idea of creating a sign language specifically for musical notation, which was met with interest.
• MIDI Innovation Awards: Gawain has an entry for the MIDI Innovation Awards. Athan Billias confirmed that he could access the resources too.
• Resource Access: Athan Billias inquired if all participants, including Ewa Bukowska, had access to the necessary resources like the forum and Google Drive.

In addition, we discussed broadly about the following topics:
ADC and Accessibility

• Jay Pocknell confirmed a meeting with ADC to discuss accessibility plans for the Audio Developer Conference.
• Discussions on potential corporate sponsors.

Product Showcasing and Sponsorship:

• Athan Billias discussed plans for showcasing products at Music China and the NAMM show.
• Emphasis on maximizing the use of donated products across various events.

MIDI Innovation Awards

• Athan Billias talked about reaching out to finalists for product donations, specifically for Drake Music and School 21 projects.
• Discussion on the potential for integrating various MIDI products for educational and performance purposes.

Technical Discussions:

• Gawain provided updates on product development.
• The discussion included the potential for different product versions focusing on accessibility and built-in sounds.
• Conversations about using Bluetooth and USB MIDI, and the importance of the curriculum in product offerings.

Webinar Planning

• Haim Kairy and Jay Pocknell discussed organizing a webinar before ADC, possibly in September, to showcase accessible entries to the MIDI Innovation Awards.
• Consideration of using existing video footage for the webinar and potential AI tools for video editing.

Educational Initiatives/Events

• Gawain shared insights on current projects involving young disabled people designing instruments, emphasizing user-driven design.
• Athan Billias highlighted the importance of curriculum development and potential collaboration with Haim Kairy on overlapping educational materials.

kind regards,
Juho Tuomainen, WG Chair

[BlindMusician]

On August 14th, 2025, we had a MASSIG meeting where we discussed the progress and plans for various music technology projects, particularly around accessibility
and MIDI innovations. Key discussions included updates on an upcoming event at ADC, planning for Music China, and technical aspects of MIDI 2.0 and related
specifications.
Particiants:

• Athan Billias
• Jay Pocknell the Music Support Officer from the Media, Culture and Immersive Technologies Team of RNIB
• Haim Kairy from Arcana Instruments
• Mike from AmeNote Inc
• Zen
• Juho Tuomainen
• Others involved in the projects discussed

Here would be some Technical Terms:

• MIDI 2.0: The latest version of the MIDI protocol with advanced features for music production.
  Technical Discussions on MIDI 2.0
  • The importance of incorporating accessibility features into MIDI messages and the potential for new MIDI messages to enable accessibility was highlighted.
  Conclusions
  • There was consensus on the importance of enhancing accessibility in music technology and utilizing MIDI 2.0 features to achieve this.
  • Participants agreed on the need for collaboration to ensure the success of the upcoming events and projects.
  Stay tuned for more infoamation!
  Kind regards,
  Juho Tuomainen

[BlindMusician]

Dear KVR Audio Forum Topic Readers,
On August 21st, 2025, we had MASSIG meeting with Juho Tuomainen (WG Chair), Emanuele Parravicini from Audio Modeling, Sam Prouse, a PhD Student from University of Portsmoutyh, UK, Michael Strickland from Florida State University and Zen from ZZenounds present on teh meeting.
We discussed the AD plans, with Samuel Prouse sharing his progress. Also, we talked about Garageband accessibility (GarageBand is the music creation app by Apple Inc for iPhone, iPad and Mac OS X operating systems used to cceate digital music) also shared his experiences and progress updates with his accessibility-related projects. Finally, we talked broadly about the accessibility now - not just on a screen-reader level, but also in the big picture (ie. universal accessibility vs niche/group-specific accessibility). This discussion put things to a greater perspective, creating good insights there.
Kind regards,
Juho Tuomainen, WG Chair

[BlindMusician]

Hello KVR Audio Forum Topic Readers,
On August 28th, 2025, we had Juho Tuomainen (WG Chair), Haim Kairy (Acting Chair from Arcana Instruments), Zen from ZenSounds, Samuel Prouse, a pHD Sudent from the University of Portsmouth, UK, Mike Kent from from AmeNote Inc, Byron Harden from I See Music LLC and Tobi Hunke from CTMIDI present in the meeting. Tobi presented himself as he was a new member to the team. Otherwise, we talked about Msic China and NAMM Show plans, dealing subjects such as logistics. We also talked about other important aspects surrounding the events. This meeting was more practice-focused in nature, but it was good to see it happen.
Agenda:

• Discussing the integration of Connect MIDI for Music China and Tokyo events
• Technical setup and logistics for the events
• Participation and roles of attendees
• Testing and planning for accessibility-focused demonstrations

The following was discussed:

• Audio and Connectivity Issues: The meeting started with troubleshooting audio issues, with suggestions to use Chrome for better compatibility with MIDI.
• Connect MIDI Introduction: Tobi CTMIDI introduced Connect MIDI, explaining its nomination for the MIDI Innovation Award and the potential for integration at the MusicX expo.
• Event Setup and Logistics: Discussion on the best way to connect instruments for impactful demonstrations at Music China. We also discussed making the installation interactive and accessible, with options for multiple instruments/players.
• Technical Setup: The conversation included details about using a sequencer for chord sequencing and the possibility of using a computer like a NUC or Mac Mini for running setups. Various MIDI connectivity options were explored, including Bluetooth and USB.
• Participation: We discussed the possibility of attending the events and how to do it.
• Testing and Planning: W discussed the plans for pre-event testing, including a trial run in the UK, were discussed to ensure everything works as intended during the events.
• Technical Integration: The group discussed using WebMIDI and other technologies to facilitate the demonstrations.

Conclusions

• The team agreed on the importance of testing setups before the events to ensure smooth demonstrations.
• There was consensus on the need for a clear and accessible setup that invites interaction from event attendees.

Stay tuned for more information!
Kind regards,
Juho Tuomainen, WG Chair

[BlindMusician]

Dear KVR Audio Forum Topic Readers,
On September 4th, 2025, we had a MASSIG meeting with Juho Tuomainen (WG Chair and UEF Computer Science Master's Student), Haim Kairy (Acting Chair) from Arcana Instruments, Athan Billias (The MIDI Association's Executive Board Member), Zen rom ZenSounds, Brian Waldon from Riban Ltd and Samuel Prouse, a PhD student from the University of Portsmouth United Kingdom, present there. This time, we continued our plans for Music China and future events, including NAMM Show d ADC this year (2025).Zen also updated progress in his UK-based event. We also talked about making a short promotional video. Furthermore, we also talked about the proposal for a MASSIG logo.
Kind regards,
Juho Tuomainen, WG Chair

[BlindMusician]

Hello All KVR Audio Forum Topic Readers
On September 18th, 2025, a MASSIG meeting with Juho Tuomainen (WG Chair), Haim Kairy (Working Goup Acting Chair and Vice President), Jay Pocknell, the Msic upport Officer rom the Culture, Media and Immersive Technologies Team f RNIB, Tim Yates from rake Music LLC, Zen Olenski om ZenSounds, Ewa Bukowska from Kosmo, Michael Strikland and Samuel Prouse, a PhD Student from the University f Portsmoutsh, United Kingdom, preset there This time, we discussed more about our future events: the Musc China, the Kakahashi Foundation Event in Japan and also a Tokyo Music Expo event in Tokyo, Japan. Furthermore, we discussed the infrastrucure, logistics and different subtopics of the events on a broad basis and scale.
Kind regards,
Juho Tuomainen, WG Chair