General MIDI Level 2 or GM2 is a specification for synthesizers which defines several requirements beyond the more abstract MIDI standard and is based on General MIDI, GS extensions, and XG extensions. It was adopted in 1999 by the MIDI Manufacturers Association (MMA).
General requirements
- Number of Notes: 32 simultaneous notes
- MIDI Channels: 16
- Simultaneous Melodic Instruments – up to 16 (all Channels)
- Simultaneous Percussion Kits – up to 2 (Channel 10/11)
Parameters
Program and bank change events
General MIDI 2 compatible synthesizers access all of the 256 instruments by setting cc#0 (Bank Select MSB) to 121 and using cc#32 (Bank Select LSB) to select the variation bank before a Program Change. Variation bank 0 contains the full GM — that is, General MIDI 1 — sound set. Variations using other bank numbers are new to General MIDI 2, and correspond to variation sounds introduced in Roland GS and Yamaha XG.
Melodic sounds
Piano
| Patch Number | Bank Number | Instrument Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | Acoustic Grand Piano |
| 1 | Wide Acoustic Grand | |
| 2 | Dark Acoustic Grand | |
| 2 | 0 | Bright Acoustic Piano |
| 1 | Wide Bright Acoustic | |
| 3 | 0 | Electric Grand Piano |
| 1 | Wide Electric Grand | |
| 4 | 0 | Honky-tonk Piano |
| 1 | Wide Honky-tonk | |
| 5 | 0 | Rhodes Piano |
| 1 | Detuned Electric Piano 1 | |
| 2 | Electric Piano 1 Variation | |
| 3 | 60's Electric Piano | |
| 6 | 0 | Chorused Electric Piano |
| 1 | Detuned Electric Piano 2 | |
| 2 | Electric Piano 2 Variation | |
| 3 | Electric Piano Legend | |
| 4 | Electric Piano Phase | |
| 7 | 0 | Harpsichord |
| 1 | Coupled Harpsichord | |
| 2 | Wide Harpsichord | |
| 3 | Open Harpsichord | |
| 8 | 0 | Clavinet |
| 1 | Pulse Clavinet |
Chromatic Percussion
| Patch Number | Bank Number | Instrument Name |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 0 | Celesta |
| 10 | 0 | Glockenspiel |
| 11 | 0 | Music Box |
| 12 | 0 | Vibraphone |
| 1 | Wet Vibraphone | |
| 13 | 0 | Marimba |
| 1 | Wide Marimba | |
| 14 | 0 | Xylophone |
| 15 | 0 | Tubular Bell |
| 1 | Church Bell | |
| 2 | Carillon | |
| 16 | 0 | Dulcimer/Santur |
Organ
| Patch Number | Bank Number | Instrument Name |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | 0 | Drawbar Organ |
| 1 | Detuned Organ 1 | |
| 2 | 60's Organ 1 | |
| 3 | Organ 4 | |
| 18 | 0 | Percussive B3 Organ |
| 1 | Detuned Organ 2 | |
| 2 | Organ 5 | |
| 19 | 0 | Rock Organ |
| 20 | 0 | Church Organ 1 |
| 1 | Church Organ 2 | |
| 2 | Church Organ 3 | |
| 21 | 0 | Reed Organ |
| 1 | Puff Organ | |
| 22 | 0 | French Accordion |
| 1 | Italian Accordion | |
| 23 | 0 | Harmonica |
| 24 | 0 | Bandoneon |
Guitar
| Patch Number | Bank Number | Instrument Name |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | 0 | Nylon-String Guitar |
| 1 | Ukulele | |
| 2 | Open Nylon Guitar | |
| 3 | Nylon Guitar 2 | |
| 26 | 0 | Steel-String Guitar |
| 1 | 12-String Guitar | |
| 2 | Mandolin | |
| 3 | Steel + Body | |
| 27 | 0 | Jazz Guitar |
| 1 | Hawaiian Guitar | |
| 28 | 0 | Clean Electric Guitar |
| 1 | Chorus Guitar | |
| 2 | Mid Tone Guitar | |
| 29 | 0 | Muted Electric Guitar |
| 1 | Funk Guitar | |
| 2 | Funk Guitar 2 | |
| 3 | Jazz Man | |
| 30 | 0 | Overdriven Guitar |
| 1 | Guitar Pinch | |
| 31 | 0 | Distortion Guitar |
| 1 | Feedback Guitar | |
| 2 | Distortion Rtm Guitar | |
| 32 | 0 | Guitar Harmonics |
| 1 | Guitar Feedback |
Bass
| Patch Number | Bank Number | Instrument Name |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | 0 | Acoustic Bass |
| 34 | 0 | Fingered Bass |
| 1 | Finger Slap | |
| 35 | 0 | Picked Bass |
| 36 | 0 | Fretless Bass |
| 37 | 0 | Slap Bass 1 |
| 38 | 0 | Slap Bass 2 |
| 39 | 0 | Synth Bass 1 |
| 1 | Synth Bass 101 | |
| 2 | Synth Bass 3 | |
| 3 | Clavi Bass | |
| 4 | Hammer | |
| 40 | 0 | Synth Bass 2 |
| 1 | Synth Bass 4 | |
| 2 | Rubber Bass | |
| 3 | Attack Pulse |
Orchestra Solo
| Patch Number | Bank Number | Instrument Name |
|---|---|---|
| 41 | 0 | Violin |
| 1 | Slow Violin | |
| 42 | 0 | Viola |
| 43 | 0 | Cello |
| 44 | 0 | Contrabass |
| 45 | 0 | Tremolo Strings |
| 46 | 0 | Pizzicato Strings |
| 47 | 0 | Harp |
| 1 | Yang Qin | |
| 48 | 0 | Timpani |
Orchestra Ensemble
| Patch Number | Bank Number | Instrument Name |
|---|---|---|
| 49 | 0 | String Ensemble |
| 1 | Orchestra Strings | |
| 2 | 60's Strings | |
| 50 | 0 | Slow String Ensemble |
| 51 | 0 | Synth Strings 1 |
| 1 | Synth Strings 3 | |
| 52 | 0 | Synth Strings 2 |
| 53 | 0 | Choir Aahs |
| 1 | Choir Aahs 2 | |
| 54 | 0 | Voice Oohs |
| 1 | Humming | |
| 55 | 0 | Synth Voice |
| 1 | Analog Voice | |
| 56 | 0 | Orchestra Hit |
| 1 | Bass Hit | |
| 2 | 6th Hit | |
| 3 | Euro Hit |
Brass
| Patch Number | Bank Number | Instrument Name |
|---|---|---|
| 57 | 0 | Trumpet |
| 1 | Dark Trumpet | |
| 58 | 0 | Trombone |
| 1 | Trombone 2 | |
| 2 | Bright Trombone | |
| 59 | 0 | Tuba |
| 60 | 0 | Muted Trumpet |
| 1 | Muted Trumpet 2 | |
| 61 | 0 | French Horns |
| 1 | French Horn 2 | |
| 62 | 0 | Brass Section 1 |
| 1 | Brass Section 2 | |
| 63 | 0 | Synth Brass 1 |
| 1 | Synth Brass 3 | |
| 2 | Analog Brass 1 | |
| 3 | Jump Brass | |
| 64 | 0 | Synth Brass 2 |
| 1 | Synth Brass 4 | |
| 2 | Analog Brass 2 |
Reed
| Patch Number | Bank Number | Instrument Name |
|---|---|---|
| 65 | 0 | Soprano Sax |
| 66 | 0 | Alto Sax |
| 67 | 0 | Tenor Sax |
| 68 | 0 | Baritone Sax |
| 69 | 0 | Oboe |
| 70 | 0 | English Horn |
| 71 | 0 | Bassoon |
| 72 | 0 | Clarinet |
Wind
| Patch Number | Bank Number | Instrument Name |
|---|---|---|
| 73 | 0 | Piccolo |
| 74 | 0 | Flute |
| 75 | 0 | Recorder |
| 76 | 0 | Pan Flute |
| 77 | 0 | Bottle Blow |
| 78 | 0 | Shakuhachi |
| 79 | 0 | Whistle |
| 80 | 0 | Ocarina |
Synth Lead
| Patch Number | Bank Number | Instrument Name |
|---|---|---|
| 81 | 0 | Square Lead |
| 1 | Square Wave | |
| 2 | Sine Wave | |
| 82 | 0 | Saw Lead |
| 1 | Saw Wave | |
| 2 | Doctor Solo | |
| 3 | Natural Lead | |
| 4 | Sequenced Saw | |
| 83 | 0 | Synth Calliope |
| 84 | 0 | Chiffer Lead |
| 85 | 0 | Charang |
| 1 | Wire Lead | |
| 86 | 0 | Solo Synth Vox |
| 87 | 0 | 5th Saw Wave |
| 88 | 0 | Bass & Lead |
| 1 | Delayed Lead |
Synth Pad
| Patch Number | Bank Number | Instrument Name |
|---|---|---|
| 89 | 0 | Fantasia Pad |
| 90 | 0 | Warm Pad |
| 1 | Sine Pad | |
| 91 | 0 | Polysynth Pad |
| 92 | 0 | Space Voice Pad |
| 1 | Itopia | |
| 93 | 0 | Bowed Glass Pad |
| 94 | 0 | Metal Pad |
| 95 | 0 | Halo Pad |
| 96 | 0 | Sweep Pad |
Synth Sound FX
| Patch Number | Bank Number | Instrument Name |
|---|---|---|
| 97 | 0 | Ice Rain |
| 98 | 0 | Soundtrack |
| 99 | 0 | Crystal |
| 1 | Synth Mallet | |
| 100 | 0 | Atmosphere |
| 101 | 0 | Brightness |
| 102 | 0 | Goblin |
| 103 | 0 | Echo Drops |
| 1 | Echo Bell | |
| 2 | Echo Pan | |
| 104 | 0 | Star Theme |
Ethnic
| Patch Number | Bank Number | Instrument Name |
|---|---|---|
| 105 | 0 | Sitar |
| 1 | Sitar 2 | |
| 106 | 0 | Banjo |
| 107 | 0 | Shamisen |
| 108 | 0 | Koto |
| 1 | Taisho Koto | |
| 109 | 0 | Kalimba |
| 110 | 0 | Bagpipe |
| 111 | 0 | Fiddle |
| 112 | 0 | Shanai |
Percussive
| Patch Number | Bank Number | Instrument Name |
|---|---|---|
| 113 | 0 | Tinkle Bell |
| 114 | 0 | Agogo |
| 115 | 0 | Steel Drums |
| 116 | 0 | Woodblock |
| 1 | Castanets | |
| 117 | 0 | Taiko |
| 1 | Concert Bass Drum | |
| 118 | 0 | Melodic Tom 1 |
| 1 | Melodic Tom 2 | |
| 119 | 0 | Synth Drum |
| 1 | 808 Tom | |
| 2 | Electric Percussion | |
| 120 | 0 | Reverse Cymbal |
Sound Effect
| Patch Number | Bank Number | Instrument Name |
|---|---|---|
| 121 | 0 | Guitar Fret Noise |
| 1 | Guitar Cut Noise | |
| 2 | String Slap | |
| 122 | 0 | Breath Noise |
| 1 | Flute Key Click | |
| 123 | 0 | Seashore |
| 1 | Rain | |
| 2 | Thunder | |
| 3 | Wind | |
| 4 | Stream | |
| 5 | Bubble | |
| 124 | 0 | Bird |
| 1 | Dog | |
| 2 | Horse-Gallop | |
| 3 | Bird 2 | |
| 125 | 0 | Telephone 1 |
| 1 | Telephone 2 | |
| 2 | Door Creaking | |
| 3 | Door Closing | |
| 4 | Scratch | |
| 5 | Wind Chimes | |
| 126 | 0 | Helicopter |
| 1 | Car-Engine | |
| 2 | Car-Stop | |
| 3 | Car-Pass | |
| 4 | Car-Crash | |
| 5 | Siren | |
| 6 | Train | |
| 7 | Jetplane | |
| 8 | Starship | |
| 9 | Burst Noise | |
| 127 | 0 | Applause |
| 1 | Laughing | |
| 2 | Screaming | |
| 3 | Punch | |
| 4 | Heart Beat | |
| 5 | Footsteps | |
| 128 | 0 | Gun Shot |
| 1 | Machine Gun | |
| 2 | Lasergun | |
| 3 | Explosion |
Drum sounds
These are the same patch numbers as defined in the original version of GS. Drum bank is accessed by setting cc#0 (Bank Select MSB) to 120 and cc#32 (Bank Select LSB) to 0 and PC (Program Change) to select drum kit.
| 1 | Standard Kit | The only kit specified by General MIDI Level 1 |
| 9 | Room Kit | Drums recorded with room ambience |
| 17 | Power Kit | More powerful kick and snare sounds |
| 25 | Electronic Kit | Sounds of various electronic drums |
| 26 | TR-808 Kit | Analog drum kit similar to Roland TR-808 |
| 33 | Jazz Kit | Softer kick and snare sounds than the Standard Kit |
| 41 | Brush Kit | Many brush sounds added |
| 49 | Orchestra Kit | A collection of concert drums and timpani |
| 57 | Sound FX Kit | A collection of sound effects |
Additional percussion notes
These are the same GS drum notes and span Drum Kits 1 to 49:
| 27 | High Q | 34 | Metronome Bell |
| 28 | Slap | 82 | Shaker |
| 29 | Scratch Push | 83 | Jingle Bell |
| 30 | Scratch Pull | 84 | Belltree |
| 31 | Sticks | 85 | Castanets |
| 32 | Square Click | 86 | Mute Surdo |
| 33 | Metronome Click | 87 | Open Surdo |
Supported Control Change messages
| CC | Function |
|---|---|
| 0/32 | Bank Select (MSB/LSB) |
| 1 | Modulation Wheel |
| 2 | Breath Controller |
| 4 | Foot Controller |
| 5 | Portamento Time |
| 7 | Channel Volume |
| 10 | Pan |
| 64 | Damper Pedal On/Off (Sustain) |
| 65 | Portamento On/Off |
| 66 | Sostenuto On/Off |
| 67 | Soft Pedal On/Off |
| 70 | Sound Variation |
| 71 | Timbre/Harmonic Intensity (filter resonance) |
| 72 | Release Time |
| 73 | Attack Time |
| 74 | Brightness (cutoff frequency) |
| 75 | Decay Time |
| 76 | Vibrato Rate |
| 77 | Vibrato Depth |
| 78 | Vibrato Delay |
| 91 | Effect 1 Depth (reverb send level) |
| 92 | Effect 2 Depth (formerly tremolo depth) |
| 93 | Effect 3 Depth (chorus send level) |
| 94 | Effect 4 Depth (formerly detune depth) |
| 95 | Effect 5 Depth (formerly phaser depth) |
| 6/38 | Data Entry (MSB/LSB) |
| 100/101 | Registered Parameter Number (MSB/LSB) |
Supported Registered Parameter Numbers (RPNs)
- Pitch Bend Sensitivity
- Channel Fine Tune
- Channel Coarse Tune
- Modulation Depth Range (Vibrato Depth Range)
- RPN NULL
Supported Universal System Exclusive (SysEx) messages
- Master Volume
- Master Fine Tuning
- Master Coarse Tuning
- Reverb Type
- Reverb Time
- Chorus Type
- Chorus Mod Rate
- Chorus Mod Depth
- Chorus Feedback
- Chorus Send to Reverb
- Controller Destination Setting
- Scale/Octave Tuning Adjust
- Key-Based Instrument Controllers
- GM2 System On
See also
References
External links
- MIDI Manufacturers Association (MMA)
- Smithers, Brian. "General MIDI Redux". Electronic Musician.