11-12
Master Mode
General MIDI Mode (GM On, GM Off)
General MIDI Mode (GM On, GM Off)
This soft button enables or disables General MIDI (GM) mode. When GM mode is off (the
default,) the buttons is labeled GM On. Press the GM On soft button to enter GM mode. The
PC3A will prompt you to confirm or cancel. When GM mode is on the buttons is labeled GM Off.
Press the GM Off soft button to exit GM mode. The PC3A will prompt you to confirm or cancel.
You can not access Setup Mode or Quick Access Mode while in GM mode. Aside from what is
noted in this section, all other PC3A functions operate normally while in GM mode. In GM mode,
the PC3A complies specifically with the General MIDI (GM1) specification.
An Overview of General MIDI
General MIDI is a specification created by the MIDI Manufacturers Association which defines
specific features that a MIDI instrument must have (see the MMA website at www.midi.org for
more information.) Among other things, the GM specification sets a standard bank of program
names and numbers, as well as a standard drum mapping layout, so that sequences created on
any GM instrument will playback with the correct instrumentation on any other GM instrument,
no matter the manufacturer. GM has many uses, for example it makes it easy for musicians who
use MIDI files to share ideas and collaborate while using different sets of equipment. Also many
instrumental versions of public domain songs can be found for free on the internet as GM
compatible MIDI files. These, like all MIDI files, offer certain advantages over audio such as
small file size, the ability to edit, orchestrate, or change tempo to easily learn from the sequences,
or even convert note information to standard notation with a third party application.
Overview of General MIDI Mode
Once enabled, Program mode will display the set of 128 standard GM program names on the
right side of the screen
(see below.)
Aside from the different layout and program choice, Program
mode operates normally
(see below for info on the left side of the screen.)
A default GM sequence will
be loaded which sets FX sends for reverb and chorus, which are part of the GM specification.
Drum programs will also be remapped to the GM drum map. The standard PC3A programs will
not be visible until GM mode is turned off.
Replacing Default General MIDI Programs
The PC3A’s GM sounds consist of PC3A programs tailored to work well in all GM sequences, but
you can also edit or exchange these programs to suit your taste. The PC3A provides you with a
GM sound set editor which allows you to replace the PC3A’s default GM programs with any
other PC3A factory or user created program. For example, you could choose a different factory or
user created piano program to replace the default GM program 1, Ac Grand Piano. This way, any
GM sequence that uses GM program 1 would now use the new piano program that you selected.
Alternatively, you could even choose a different instrument to replace the default GM program 1,
such as PC3A program 47 Harpsichord. This way, any GM sequence that uses GM program 1
