Midi Channels And Multi-Timbral Capabilities - Roland SK-50 Owner's Manual

3. MIDI Channels and Multi-Timbral Capabilities

With MIDI, separate streams of performance information can be sent to 16 different MIDI
devices. This is possible thanks to the concept of MIDI channels.
MIDI channels are in some ways similar to the channels on a television set. By switching
channels on a TV, you can select from the variety of programs broadcast from different stations.
This is because the video signals being sent out on any particular channel are conveyed, and
can be viewed on the TV, only when the receiver is set to the same channel that is being used
for transmission.
The channels available with MIDI range from 1 through 16.
Multi-Timbral Sound Generator
The sound generator in the SK-50 can simultaneously receive data on 16 MIDI channels, and
can play the musical data for 16 independent Parts at once. Sound generators such as this,
which can simultaneously receive data on a multiple number of MIDI channels, and can
perform music much like they were a combination of many separate sound producing devices
are referred to as being "multi-timbral."
The reception channel for each of the 16 Parts is assigned the channel which corresponds
numerically with the Part number. For example, data on Channel 1 is received by Part 1, which
plays that data.
These assignments for the reception channels can only be altered by using Exclusive Messages
( MIDI Implementation p. 49).
Transmission Channel Used By the Controller
The SK-50's keyboard sends out its data on one particular channel. The transmission channel
that it uses is always the same as the reception channel of whichever Part you currently have
selected (
Received at MIDI IN
or COMPUTER connector
p. 22, SOLO Volume).
Sound Generator
Data on ch. 1
Data on ch. 2
Data on ch. 3
Data on ch. 4
Data on ch. 16
Currently Selected Part
Part 1
Part 2 Data on ch. 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 16
Sent out by controller
Data on ch. 2
To MIDI OUT
or COMPUTER connector
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