Program Change and instrument sounds

Open the interactive module

Note and channel data

Program Change selects a receiving instrument’s sound program. General MIDI offers a common sound-set organisation for compatible systems, but identical program numbers do not guarantee identical samples or timbral detail across sound sources. A MIDI file usually does not contain the instrument’s audio itself.

Interfaces may number programs from zero or one, and bank selection can reach other sets. When comparing exports, check sound assignment and mapping as well as whether the file opens. A playback difference may come from the receiving instrument rather than changed notes.

Example

Two General MIDI piano sounds can play the same notes with different timbres.

Try it

Is different timbre on two computers always a note-data error?

Related topics

References

General MIDI

Subject-expert review pending.