Standardization Of Midi Technology Under The General Midi gm Standard
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Standardization of MIDI Technology: The General MIDI (GM) Standard
Overview
In the 1980s, electronic musicians faced significant challenges when trying to play compositions across different manufacturers' equipment. Connecting a MIDI controller from one brand to a sound module from another could result in unexpected and often humorous outcomes, like a flute solo being transformed into a drum solo. Adjusting volume might inadvertently change the pitch. This inconsistency occurred because MIDI commands?"numerical instructions controlling elements such as notes, instruments, volume, and pitch?"varied across different manufacturers. For instance, a MIDI number for a trumpet sound on one device might trigger a harmonica sound on another.
The Need for Standardization
The primary issue was a lack of standardization in mapping MIDI command numbers to corresponding functions. To address these discrepancies, the General MIDI (GM) standard was introduced. This standard ensured that MIDI numbers performed the same functions across different brands adhering to GM standards. For example, the number 12 in a MIDI command universally triggers a Vibraphone sound on any GM-compatible device. While the sound quality might differ, the instrument remains consistent, preventing unintended instrument mix-ups like playing a flute instead of a vibraphone.
Features of the GM Standard
The GM standard introduced several key specifications beyond uniform MIDI commands. It required all GM-compliant sound modules to be fully multi-timbral. This capability allows a sound module to receive MIDI messages across 16 different channels simultaneously, enabling the playback of 16 distinct patches (or instruments). This feature ensures musicians can create rich, multi-layered compositions leveraging the available 16 MIDI channels.
By establishing these guidelines, the GM standard has been instrumental in ensuring compatibility and creativity in the world of electronic music, allowing composers and musicians to focus on their art rather than technical discrepancies.
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