These two new Meta Events can be used to allow a single Standard MIDI File to address multiple devices, enabling more than 16 MIDI Channels of playback.
rp19 SMF Device & Program Name Meta-events.pdf These two new Meta Events can be used to allow a single Standard MIDI File to address multiple devices, enabling more than 16 MIDI Channels of playback. The use of device names instead of cable numbers allows free relocation of devices. Also, if the MIDI File were used in a completely different context, having the device name would provide a valuable hint in reorchestration.