Andrew Huang's viral MIDI unicorn experiment remains a masterclass in creative music production that continues inspiring Indian music producers today.
Why This Matters
Andrew Huang’s unicorn MIDI project proves that modern music production transcends traditional boundaries. By converting visual art into auditory experience, he demonstrates how technology and creativity intersect in ways that captivate global audiences and inspire emerging artists worldwide.
Making music from image files (and vice-versa) has been a project of noise and glitch artists for years, but it frequently yields a sort of cacophonous-yet-satisfying chaos. This is not the case with a picture of a Lisa Frank-status unicorn converted into a MIDI art composition by YouTube star Andrew Huang, which he posted over the long weekend. Looking at the array of notes Huang captures on his computer screen in the video below, the eye expects a smashed-together clusterfuck of piano keys. But it’s not! As magical as the mythical creature from which he draws inspiration, Huang has somehow constructed a pleasing, 22-second string of chords.
After a lot of “experimentation and sheer force of will,” YouTuber and musician Andrew Huang was able to compose a melody using MIDI in the shape of a unicorn head mask. MIDI, which stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, is “an industry standard music technology protocol that connects products from many different companies including digital musical instruments, computers, tablets and smartphones,” according to the product’s website.
Andrew Huang is a YouTube personality with over 600,000 subscribers. He is from Ottawa but currently resides in Toronto with his wife, according to CBS. Tape Op reports that Huang got his start in music while he was studying at college. Unable to find a part-time job to supplement his education, Andrew Huang began to auction off his songwriting skills on eBay.
He soon launched a YouTube channel to share music videos for the songs he created on Songs To Wear Pants To, his website where users could commission songs from him. His career took off with when he added branded merch to sell along with the commissioned songs.
The magical music video which is going to break the video soon is here:
(Source: Creators Vice/Heavy)
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is MIDI and how does Andrew Huang use it?
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a protocol that connects digital instruments and computers. Andrew Huang uses MIDI to convert visual shapes—like his unicorn drawing—into musical notes by mapping image coordinates to keyboard positions, creating melodies from graphics.
How many YouTube subscribers does Andrew Huang have?
As of the article’s publication in 2017, Andrew Huang had over 600,000 YouTube subscribers. His channel continues to grow as he regularly uploads innovative music production videos and creative experiments that engage millions of viewers globally.
Can you really make music from drawing shapes like Andrew Huang did?
Yes, through MIDI conversion and careful experimentation. Andrew Huang’s unicorn composition demonstrates that visual art can be translated into pleasing musical sequences. The process requires understanding both music theory and digital tools to ensure the result is harmonious rather than chaotic.
Where is Andrew Huang from and what’s his background?
Andrew Huang is originally from Ottawa but currently resides in Toronto with his wife. He began his music career while studying college by selling songwriting services on eBay, eventually launching his YouTube channel to share original music and creative production experiments.
How long is the unicorn MIDI composition Andrew Huang created?
The unicorn head MIDI composition is 22 seconds long. Despite its brevity, Andrew Huang managed to create a pleasing string of chords that sound musical and harmonious, showcasing his technical skill in translating visual art into listenable audio.
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