User Manual

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 o (the
default,) the buttons is labeled GM On. Press the GM On soft button to enter GM mode. The
PC3A will prompt you to conrm or cancel. When GM mode is on the buttons is labeled GM O.
Press the GM O soft button to exit GM mode. The PC3A will prompt you to conrm 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 specically with the General MIDI (GM1) specication.
An Overview of General MIDI
General MIDI is a specication created by the MIDI Manufacturers Association which denes
specic features that a MIDI instrument must have (see the MMA website at www.midi.org for
more information.) Among other things, the GM specication 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 les to share ideas and collaborate while using dierent sets of equipment. Also many
instrumental versions of public domain songs can be found for free on the internet as GM
compatible MIDI les. These, like all MIDI les, oer certain advantages over audio such as
small le 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 dierent 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 specication.
Drum programs will also be remapped to the GM drum map. The standard PC3A programs will
not be visible until GM mode is turned o.
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 dierent 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 dierent instrument to replace the default GM program 1,
such as PC3A program 47 Harpsichord. This way, any GM sequence that uses GM program 1