About Midi - Generalmusic RealPiano pRP6 Owner's Manual

About MIDI

MIDI, the abbreviation for "Musical Instrument Digital Interface", is a world
standard interface that allows MIDI compatible instruments and other equip-
ment to communicate with each other, in order to exchange data and control
one another. MIDI is now a very common feature and a great deal of literature
is available explaining all the standards implemented by MIDI. You are
recommended to consult other specialized literature if you wish to know more
about the standards implemented and how to apply them. This section limits
itself to give some examples regarding the simplest forms of MIDI applications
for your pRP6.
The MIDI ports
The pRP6 is fitted with two MIDI ports: MIDI IN and MIDI OUT.
The MIDI IN port receives MIDI data from an external MIDI device which can
be used to control the pRP6.
The MIDI OUT port transmits MIDI data generated by the pRP6 (for example,
note or velocity data generated by playing the keyboard).
MIDI channels
The "MIDI channels" used in the MIDI communication system is similar to
television broadcasting. Each channel can receive a different stream of data
with respect to the others. Exactly as occurs in television broadcasts, in order
to exchange data, the receiving and transmitting devices must be tuned
correctly. In other words, the MIDI controlling device and the MIDI receiving
device must both be set to the same MIDI channel, selected from 16 possible
channels.
Multiple channel instruments, called multi-timbral units, can receive and
transmit across several different MIDI channels at the same time, but each part
must correspond to the same MIDI channel between the two communicating
units. pRP6 is able to transmit on up to three MIDI channels. In reception,
pRP6 can be used as a multi-timbral unit, because it can receive MIDI on 16
channels.
Midi Common
If you set pRP6 to receive MIDI messages on the Common channel, all
program change messages received by pRP6 are interpreted as Preset
Change messages, allowing you to play the 16 Presets from the external
keyboard which emulates the pRP6 internal keyboard. Simply set the external
controlling device to transmit MIDI messages on the same channel as the
pRP6 Common channel.
The pRP6 MIDI Sounds and Banks
Via MIDI, your pRP6 offers some interesting features which cannot be
achieved using the instrument on its own. On its own, the maximum number
of Presets you can select on pRP6 are those listed on page 4, a total of 16,
some of which recall single sounds, some two layered sounds across the
keyboard and others two or three sounds on a split keyboard.
When you use pRP6 as a slave device, a MIDI controller keyboard can play
the pRP6 internal Midi sounds which are organized in four banks, the first three
housing 128 sounds organized in "family" groups, and the fourth containing 60
sounds. The bank 1 sounds correspond to the industry standard General MIDI
sound library, while banks 2 and 3 contain sounds taken from Generalmusic's
own extensive sound library. Bank 4 contains an additional 60 Sounds, but not
organized i "family" Groups like those in banks 1, 2 & 3. Banks 2 and 3 also
contain a Percussive family where you'll find a selection of 16 Drumkits.
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