_dodger, Midi is a rather large specification. There's a lot more to it than most people realize. c++ might be the best language to work in although I prefer c myself. "a guide to sound" by Tim Kientzieisbn (addison-wesley) ISBN 0-201-41972-6 uses c/c++ to describe the specification in some detail - it is less than complete. the standard is available for a fee from one of the MIDI organizations(sorry I don't have URLS handy but a google of 'MIDI' should turn them up) I slso think that directx might be of some use here. DX8 also supports VB. The poser end of it has been discussed lightly in this forum so all the pieces are there it seems - putting it together would be time consuming and monotonous(no pun intended) but probably well worth it. good luck, - TJ