Hands On PRO-formance MIDI Files
Hands On MIDI files are 'load and go' for the majority of sequencers and modules from all major manufacturers. Every file is based around the basic GM specification, and some files contain codes which can utilize the special features found in GS and XG devices. If you see the following logos, our files should play back without problem:
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All files have the following features:
MIDI Channel 1: In all but exceptional circumstances channel 1 is left empty and is the default 'live' channel
MIDI Channel 2: Bass instrument
MIDI Channel 3-5: Chord playing instruments such as Keyboards and Guitar
MIDI Channel 6-9: Strings/Brass and other important instruments
MIDI Channel 10: Drums and Percussion (using General MIDI note numbers)
MIDI Channel 11-14: Auxiliary instrumental parts, as required
MIDI Channel 15: Group Vocal Cues (with slight changes, this track will "drive" a harmonizer!)
MIDI Channel 16: Lead Vocal Cue or Solo instrument (instrumental works)
With Type One MIDI files we have a separate track for Program Changes - so that people who do not have GM/GS/XG equipment can erase them without damaging any other data, and also a separate track for Systems Exclusive Data - again so that it can be easily discarded or edited by Non-GM people.
In the first bar/measure of each track we have placed set-up codes which should cope with almost any Synth or sound module they meet out there in MIDI land. These codes are there for your protection, so don't delete them unless you need to, they will stop other people's sequences from upsetting your gear and making it sound peculiar. For those of you who are technically minded, here is an explanation of what each of the codes do, in the order that you will find them on each track, in the first bar/measure of the song.
This controller message means "all notes off" and is there to make sure that there are no droning notes still sounding from the last sequence you played. Although you may think you would hear them, it is possible for notes to be "on" but with the volume almost zero, and they will steal polyphony if left unchecked.
This controller simply resets most of the commonly used controllers to their default values, i.e. Pitch Bend to Center, Modulation to Zero, Aftertouch to Zero etc. This is there in case the last sequence played through your equipment left the pitch bend set at 6 Octaves, or some other strange setting. The nn just stands for whatever Midi Channel you are looking at.
We recently introduced this message into our files to help those of you who are using Non-GM equipment which doesn't respond to the GM/GS/XG reset command in the system exclusive track, and simply sets the modulation to zero or "off".
Again, recently introduced as above. Pitch bend has a very fine resolution, achieved by using a Coarse (the zero) and Fine (the 64) control in the one message, and this setting makes sure that your equipment is centered on normal pitch, i.e. no bend taking place.
Another recent addition for you Non-GM'ers, this message sets the damper pedal to off.
Midi controller no.7 is called "Main Volume", and is the equivalent to the master volume on your guitar or keyboard amplifier. We usually set the master level on the instruments to around 100. (but sometimes the lead vocal cue track will have a higher setting so that it is easily heard over the other tracks). This average setting allows you to turn the level of any track UP or DOWN a little if you need more bass or less drums etc. Again, one of these is used per channel.
This controller works the same way as Main Volume, in that it controls the level of the instrument on the relevant channel, but if used correctly it should control the "expressive" part of the performance such as swells and fades. Think of this as being like the volume control on your guitar or keyboard itself; you would usually set your master volume at the Amp (Main Volume) and then use the knob on the instrument itself (Expression) to change levels during the performance. At the start of the song we always set this to 127 (flat out, or "11" if you're a guitarist :-) so that all instruments can be heard, but during the performance many of these messages may be used to create volume changes. e.g. Fades.
The Pan controller is used to "place" the various instruments in the stereo mix. A Value below 64 places the instrument on the left hand side, and a value above 64 places it to the right. There will be one of these messages on each track/channel. Drums will always be placed centrally (Pan 64) because the individual instruments have their own set position in the mix.
Controller 91 is called "External Effect Depth", and under General MIDI it is used for Reverb Level on each individual channel of your multi-timbral Synth or sound module. Replace the question marks with the Reverb Level desired, and nn with the Midi Channel.
Controller 93 is used for Chorus Depth/Level. On Roland GS and Yamaha XG one of the best features is the Chorus which is adjustable for each MIDI channel. Controller 93 will set the level of Chorus on the relevant MIDI Channel. For example Cntl 93 : Val 50 : Chan 2 will set the chorus level on Midi Channel 2 to 50, which we use for Bass.
These three controllers together set the pitch bend range for your Synth - we usually use 12 semitones for our work, but sometimes it's set to 2 semitones for subtle work. The first two tell your gear that the next Data Entry message is to be the Pitch-Bend range for that channel, and the Data Entry value is obvious.
This pair of controllers look suspiciously like the ones for Pitch Bend set-up, that's because they "Lock" the setting where it is after we've changed it with the previous three. There are two main reasons for this - firstly, if you own a DX-7, the slider on the front panel is set to transmit Data Entry at all times, so if you knock it at a gig you could accidentally change the Pitch Bend setting on your Synth to sixty squillion! secondly, some types of midi equipment transmit Data Entry for their own reasons, so you are protected from them as well.
On each Midi Channel we use the following messages to control GS & XG types of equipment *:
(SPECIAL NOTE *)
Bank select message are ONLY ever included if a specific track uses a variation tone. If they are not used, they are removed, likewise with any unused program changes. Program Change messages will always be included for all tracks/MIDI channels which are used in a song.
During the first bar of the song (at the very start, before any notes are sent) we send out several pieces of GM, GS Systems Exclusive. We reset the machine to factory spec, set-up the partial reserves (amount of notes per channel) set-up the Master Reverb and Master Chorus settings and also make sure that if your Synth / module is capable of responding to GS codes, it will do so. We also make sure that using our sequences won't leave you with a headache, by sending reset codes at the very end of the song, so that any "black magic" we've used to tweak the sequence will be undone, and your equipment will be left as we found it.
We won't go into detail about the SysEx codes here, since you would normally either use them as they are or delete them if they don't apply. However, if you need further information about the SysEx codes because you want to change them, please send an email to us at Hands On.
Before loading our files, you will probably find it best to turn on the preference in Cubase named "Leave Midi File Track Data as is", also labeled "Midi File Pro Mode" on Mac versions. This is found on the File Menu.
If you have read all this information, but you are having problems of a technical nature, please send an email to our support department - techsupport@handsonus.com - stating the full nature of the problem, which hardware and software you are using (please include version numbers), and the invoice number related to your purchase.