MIDI channels
Many different kinds of performance data are
sent using just one MIDI cable. This is possible
because MIDI signals are sent and rec eived
through 16 different “basic channels” (num bered
1 to 16). In order for the exchange of data to take
place, the channels on the transmis sion side
must match the channels on the receiving side.
This characteristic also makes it possible to link
multiple sound generators and to control eac h
by matching specific channels.
The following kinds of data can be transmitted/received.
NOTE data
This is the most basic kind of MI DI data which
is exchanged, and is used to specify which key s
are played and how hard they are played.
NOTE NUMBER: Number specifying which key
is played.
NOTE ON: Specifies that a key is played.
NOTE OFF: Specifies that a key is release d.
VELOCITY: Specifies how hard a key is struck.
•MIDI notes are assigned numbers from 0 to
127, with middle C (C3) as 60. Note pi tches
are in semitone increments, with the higher
numbers assigned to the higher pitches.
PROGRAM CHANGE
This is sound change data. When a different
sound is selected on the transmitting instrument,
the sound on the receiving instrument also
changes.
CONTROL CHANGE
These are volume, sustain, eff ect, etc. data used
to enhance performance expression. Ea ch func-
tion is distinguished by its control number, and
the function which can be changed by the control
differs depending on the instrument.
EXCLUSIVE data
This is data that is specific to this instrument,
and data for the GENERAL MIDI LEVEL 2 mode
setting.
MIDI
Part XIII MIDI
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