This section started by Andreas Koch. 
 
Midi is standard on the Atari ST computers, because it is built-in into 
these computers. Nevertheless, Midi was long before the arrival of the 
ST computers on the market and thus, it is no surprise that there are 
even midi-interfaces and enhancements for the classic 8Bit Ataris. The 
following "types" do exist: 
 
- "Midi-Mate" and "Midi-Track" by Hybrid Arts (USA), comes with hardware 
  + software, see reviews & tests in Antic, ANALOG and other magazines. 
  MidiTrack requires 48k RAM, MidiTrack II 64k RAM and MidiTrack III 
  128k RAM (XE compatible, not Axlon compatible). MidiMate features 
  MIDI IN+OUT and SYNC IN+OUT ports, but lacks a second SIO port.
  MMS (MIDI Music System) is a MIDI version of AMS, also sold by Hybrid 
  Arts and comes with AMS to MMS converter software...

- "MIDI Master" by 2-Bit Systems (UK), comes with hardware+software.
   Features MIDI IN+OUT ports, but no SYNC ports.
   See also reviews and ads in (New) Atari User...

- "MIDI interface" by DIGICOMM (UK), comes with hardware + 'example
  programs'. Features MIDI IN, THRU and OUT ports. There`s no word
  about a second SIO port or any SYNC ports. See also reviews and ads
  in (New) Atari User...

- "MIDIMAX" by Wizztronics (UK), comes with hardware and software.
  Features MIDI IN+OUT ports and a second SIO port. The MMS software 
  that comes with MidiMax requires 48k RAM and is fully compatible to 
  the Hybrid Arts hardware+software. This means, one can use the 
  software with both Midi-interfaces or use the interfaces with the 
  software of both vendors...

- "Atari-Midi-Interface" by Karlheinz Metscher (appeared in the German 
  magazine Computer Kontakt June/July 1986, pages 69-75, complete with 
  documentation, schematics and its first program "Midi-Receiver"; 
  in Computer Kontakt October/November 1986 appeared the second program, 
  called "Midi-Disk" - a Midi Recorder and Player program); 
 
- "Midi-Interface for Atari XL/XE" by Ireneusz Kuczek (appeared in the 
  German ABBUC magazine, issue 65, pages 3-6); the paper-mag. includes 
  a schematic for the midi-interface and some translated descriptions for 
  the software (translated from Polish to German language), whereas the 
  disk-magazine contains the midi-programs "Midiplay Version 1.3" by I. 
  Kuczek, "Midi-Recorder Version 1.2" by I.Kuczek, "Rec to Mid" by I. 
  Kuczek (a converter program for the IBM-PC!), "Midi-Sequencer V.1.15" 
  by Maciej Sygit and "Midi-Pattern-Editor MPE V.2.3" by Radek Sterba. 
  These programs and many additional demo sounds are also available in 
  the ABBUC PD library (PD numbers 625-632).

- guess there are several other (self-made) midi-interfaces for the Atari 
  8Bit available, alas they also require a keyboard or synthesizer and 
  self-created (or downloaded) midi-sounds can only be played back via 
  such a midi-interface and the aforementioned keyboard/synthesizer. 
  As of yet, it seems there exists no midi-player program, that can 
  playback any midi-sound via the Atari Pokey chip, nor any converter 
  program, which can convert *.MID sounds into other Atari sound formats 
  (that could be played back on the Atari then)...