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General

MIDI

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The General MIDI Specifications (GM 1, GM 2, and GM Lite) define specific features and behaviors for compliant MIDI devices. In particular, files created for GM devices all use the same GM Sound Set which helps provide for more consistant playback among different MIDI devices.

Note: The GM 1 specification was superceded in 1999 by General MIDI 2 which added support for additional features and capabilities which had become commonly available since GM 1 devices first appeared. However, GM 1 remains a popular format and is still commonly used for music distributed in Standard MIDI File (*.mid) format.

General MIDI 1

This Specification outlines a minimum MIDI configuration of a “General MIDI System” which defines a certain class of MIDI controlled sound generators.

General MIDI 2

General MIDI 2 is a group of extensions made to General MIDI (Level 1) allowing for expanded standardized control of MIDI devices. This increased functionality includes extended sounds sets and additional performance and control parameters.

    General MIDI Lite

    The General MIDI Lite specification was developed to meet a particular market requirement.