General MIDI

GM fixes 128 programs, 16 channels and a drum kit on channel 10 so files travel between devices.

General MIDI is a minimum agreement that lets one file sound roughly right on many devices.

The problem

Without it, program 0 can be anything on any device. GM fixes 128 sounds, 16 channels and one drum kit, which is what makes a file portable.

Protocol or message

GM defines 128 melodic programs in 16 families of eight. Channel 10 is always drums, with keys 35 to 81 mapped to percussion. Notes run from 0 to 127. GM System On resets the device over SysEx. GM 2 adds banks, more controllers and envelope control. Program numbers in files run 0 to 127, while printed lists often show 1 to 128.

Settings and practice

Confirm the device is in GM mode before playback. Keep drums on channel 10. Do not depend on extension sounds. Program 0 is the safest default. For exchange, write the program numbers into the metadata.

What to listen for

A GM piano is recognisable everywhere, but brightness and tails differ. String ensembles vary most in weight. When changing sound sources, listen to drums and bass first.

Common misunderstandings

GM is not a sound-quality standard. GM numbers are not vendor numbers. Drums on channel 10 ignore the program number.

Listen in the library

sailors battle midi theme 9C10:58以 GM 音色 32、25、28 开场，分给三个通道，第 10 通道打鼓DetailsPiano Quintet in A major · 2. AndanteC16:30弦乐按 40 到 43 分配，钢琴用 0 号音色Detailsrock-groove8 · 65 BPM · beat 4/4C10:28只有第 10 通道，没有音色切换，完全依赖 GM 鼓映射Details

All tracks from midicn-lib — inline badge is the license tier (C1 commercial / C2 non-commercial / C3 study only).

Sources

通用 MIDI 一级规范对音色表与通道的约定，依 MMA 公开规范核查，未抄文本
GM 2 增加的音色库与控制器，依通用 MIDI 规范核查，未抄文本

Used for fact-checking only; all prose is original.

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