Roland GP-100 Owner's Manual page 70

Section 5 Appendix
2. Main types of MIDI message used by the
GP-100
MIDI includes many types of MIDI messages that can convey a
variety of information. MIDI messages can be broadly divided into
two types; messages that are handled separately by MIDI channel
(channel messages), and messages that are handled without
reference to a MIDI channel (system messages).
<Channel Messages>
These messages are used to convey performance information.
Normally these messages perform most of the control. The way in
which a receiving device will react to each type of MIDI message
will be determined by the settings of the receiving device.
Program Change messages
These messages are generally used to select sounds, and include
a program number from 1 to 128 which specifies the desired
sound. The GP-100 is also able to receive Bank Select messages
(a type of Control Change message), allowing you to select the
complete range of Patch numbers from 1 to 400.
Control Change messages
These messages are used to enhance the expressiveness of a
performance. Each message includes a contro! number, and the
settings of the receiving device will determine what aspect of the
sound will be affected by Control Change messages of a given
control number.
<System Messages>
System messages include exclusive messages, messages used for
synchronization, and messages used to keep a MIDI system
running correctly. Exclusive messages are the main type of mes-
sage in this category used by the GP-100.
70
About the MIDI implementation Chart
MIDI allows a variety of messages to be exchanged between
instruments, but it is not necessarily the case that all types of
message can be exchanged between any two MIDI devices.
Two devices can communicate only if they both use the types
of messages that they have in common.
Thus, every owner's manual for a MIDI device includes a
"MIDI Implementation Chart." This chart shows the types of
message that the device is able to transmit and receive. By
comparing the MIDI implementation charts of two devices,
you can tell at a glance which messages they will be able to
exchange. Since the charts are always of a uniform size, you
can simply place the two charts side by side.
MIDI Device A MIDI Device 8
* A "MIDI Implementation" booklet (optional) containing a de-
tailed explanation of the GP-100's MIDI capabilities is also
available. Programmers or other interested users can order this at
a nearby Roland dealer.