: Use a 3-octave range, set arpeggiator rate to 1/16th, and manually adjust note velocities to avoid robotic feel. The original has a slight swing (~57% quantization).

“Lights” follows a standard pop structure, but each section relies heavily on MIDI-programmed elements:

To nail the original bright, sparkling sound:

Great if you want to use classic Roland or Prophet emulations for a warmer, analog feel.

Kesh Piano and others often provide free MIDI links in their description for piano-based versions, which are great for understanding the harmony. Final Thoughts

E Major→F# Major→G# Minor→B MajorE Major right arrow F# Major right arrow G# Minor right arrow B Major

The bassline in "Lights" drives the danceability of the song. It primarily anchors the root notes of the progression but adds subtle syncopations to bounce alongside the kick drum. 4. Lead Vocal Guide / Melody

Import the MIDI into your DAW (Ableton, FL Studio, Logic), set your tempo to 120 BPM, and swap out the default MIDI instruments for your own VST presets (Serum, Sylenth1, etc.).

The defining feature of "Lights" is the rapid, rhythmic synth riff that runs throughout the track. It acts as both a rhythmic driver and a melodic counter-melody. In a MIDI editor, this channel consists of constant sixteenth notes tracing the chord changes. 2. Chord Pads

Unlike standard audio files, MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) contains no actual sound. Instead, it stores digital "instructions"—the notes, velocity, and timing—that you can assign to any virtual instrument in your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).

Ellie Goulding Lights Midi