General MIDI Lite Specification
and Guidelines for Mobile Applications
The General MIDI Lite Specification describes one of two platforms for mobile MIDI communication that have been approved and adopted as a standard by the MIDI industry. This document has three primary components:
- A specification called General MIDI Lite (GM Lite), which defines a new level of tone generation (sound module) device
- Authoring guidelines for music data in SMF (Standard MIDI File) format that is intended for playback on GM Lite devices
- Implementation guidelines for GM Lite file players .
GM Lite vs. SP-MIDI
The General MIDI Lite specification defines a fixed-polyphony MIDI device, intended to meet a particular set of current and future market needs. The Scalable Polyphony MIDI (SP-MIDI) Specification compliments GML by defining flexible polyphony MIDI devices and content. Developers of GM Lite players are strongly advised to keep as much flexibility as possible in how their players handle channel priorities, drum channels and other System messages. This will make it far easier for their products to be compatible with song data authored for the Scalable Polyphony MIDI specification.
GM Lite vs. GM 1
The General MIDI Lite device specification is intended for equipment that does not have the capability to support the full feature set defined in General MIDI 1.0, on the assumption that the reduced performance may be acceptable (and even required) in some mobile applications. GM Lite represents just one standardized set of performance capabilities for portable applications - other performance levels are likely to be standardized in the future.
Summary of GM Lite Requirements
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Number of Notes: 16 simultaneous notes MIDI Channels: 16 - Simultaneous Melodic Instruments = up to 15 - Simultaneous Percussion Kits = 1 (Channel 10) SUPPORTED CONTROL CHANGE MESSAGES - Modulation Depth (cc#1) - Channel Volume (cc#7) - Pan (cc#10) - Expression (cc#11) - Data Entry (cc#6/38) - Hold1 (Damper) (cc#64) - RPN LSB/MSB (cc#100/101) - Pitch Bend - All Sound Off, All Notes Off, Reset All Controllers SUPPORTED RPNs (Registered Parameter Numbers) - Pitch Bend Sensitivity SUPPORTED UNIVERSAL SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE MESSAGES - GM1 System On GM 1 INSTRUMENT SOUND SET GM 1 PERCUSSION SOUND SET
For complete details on GML features and MIDI message syntax, please consult the General MIDI Lite Specification (see below to order).
Developer Information
Recommended guidelines for Using GM Lite in Mobile Applications are included in the GM Lite Specification document. Developers are also urged to consult the GM1 Developer Guidelines (included in the Complete MIDI 1.0 Specification).
The GML Logo was created to insure consumer recognition for products that meet the General MIDI Lite Specification. The GM Logos are the property of the MMA and AMEI and must be used in accordance with guidelines established to insure the value of the GM Logos for our members and for the consumer.