What is the main advantage of MIDI over recorded audio?

The main advantage of MIDI over recorded audio is that it typically has a lower file size. MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) does not store audio signals but rather contains data that represents musical notes, their timing, and various parameters such as velocity and expression. Because it consists of this type of digital information rather than actual audio, MIDI files are generally much smaller in size compared to audio files, which contain large amounts of waveform data. This smaller file size makes MIDI more efficient for storage and transfer, especially in situations where bandwidth or storage capacity is limited.

While other options touch on various features of MIDI, they do not accurately reflect its key advantage in size. For example, the notion of higher fidelity is misleading because MIDI itself is not audio and relies on virtual instruments or synthesizers to produce sound, which can sometimes lead to varied sound quality. Compatibility issues with devices can arise depending on the technology used to interpret MIDI data and the specific sounds being generated, making the idea of universal compatibility somewhat unreliable. Lastly, the assertion that MIDI files always sound better than audio clips is subjective and depends greatly on the context, the instruments used, and personal preference, so it does not universally apply.