MIDI, which stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, is a technical standard that allows electronic musical instruments, computers, and other related devices to communicate with each other. Developed in the early 1980s, MIDI doesn't transmit audio signals, but rather event messages that specify musical information such as notes, pitch, velocity, and timing. This allows for a compact way to store and manipulate musical data, making it a versatile tool for music production, live performance, and even non-musical applications like lighting control. MIDI has been instrumental in the evolution of modern music and continues to be a fundamental technology in the music industry.