Section 12 — Sequencing/MIDI Applications TS-12 Musician’s Manual
10
What is General MIDI?
General MIDI (GM) is an industry standard for program mapping that defines
128 sounds and their locations. This means that if a device conforms to the GM
standard, MIDI Program Change #1 will always call up an acoustic piano.
MIDI Program Change #62 will always call up a brass section, etc. Although
the actual sounds (tone and quality) will vary from product to product, each
specific MIDI Program number will always call up the same type of sound.
Sound Map
The General MIDI Sound Map (found later in this section) lists the 128 General MIDI sounds in
the TS-12 ROM and their assigned General MIDI Program Change numbers.
Percussion
General MIDI also includes a Percussion Key Map, defining specific drum voices for each key.
To avoid confusion, General MIDI always assigns percussion to MIDI channel 10. The General
MIDI Percussion Key Map can be found after the General MIDI Sound Map.
GS/MT-32 Compatibility
GS is an extended MIDI sound specification originated by Roland® Corp. Although we provide
the GS Drum Maps (listed later) and MT-32 Program Change Map for Roland Sound Canvas™
compatibility, the TS-12 is not GS compatible and does not contain the GS Alternate Sound
Banks.
Other General MIDI Requirements
A General MIDI sound module must respond to all 16 MIDI channels, with dynamic voice
allocation, and a minimum of 24 voices. It also must respond to velocity, pitch bend, mod wheel,
volume and pan, expression, sustain, and the All Notes Off and Reset All Controllers messages.
With these controllers supported, a composition that relies on note articulations and mix settings
can be played back and still sound correct when played by any GM sound module. The TS-12
supports all of the above MIDI messages, and fully conforms to the General MIDI Specification.
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