Reference Guide

1284 MIDI files
Special handling of GM, GS, and XG MIDI files
General MIDI compatibility of a song file is indicated by the presence of a special System Exclusive
message at the beginning of the song. When SONAR finds a GM, GS or XG reset message, it
assumes that you would like to work within the GM Score Production guidelines. This causes
SONAR to use special timing for program change information when writing MIDI Files, and allows it
to search more aggressively for track parameters when reading MIDI files. The result is that it is
easier than ever to create and use General MIDI song files with SONAR.
SONAR does not enforce or even verify compliance with the GM guidelines for your music data. But
SONAR does comply with them when generating events that represent track parameters. If
necessary, SONAR will insert blank setup measures at the start of your song. This makes space for
certain events to be inserted at the correct times at the start of each track: bank changes, patch
changes, volume, and pan. This means that you can use SONAR’s track parameters for these
settings when composing songs: When you save your work as a MIDI File, SONAR will place these
events in the track at the specific clock ticks recommended by the guidelines.
You can tell SONAR to follow the GM guidelines by loading the “Turn GM System On” Sysx bank in
the Sysx View (gmsystem.syx in your Cakewalk directory), and then either inserting a sysx event at
time 1:1:0 or using the Auto setting for that bank.
When loading a GM file, each track’s bank, patch, volume and pan parameters are lifted from the
data stream and placed in SONAR’s Track view for you to see and edit onscreen. The GM mode
ensures that all patches, banks and controllers are placed at specified times throughout a setup
measure when you save a MIDI file. This ensures that all setup information can be digested by your
synthesizer before it starts playback. If you don't have a setup measure in your project, SONAR will
insert one for you.
If there is no GM, GS, or XG reset System Exclusive message present at the start of your project,
SONAR will not operate in this GM mode.
If you have problems playing MIDI files
A MIDI file can cause playback problems if all of the following are true:
• The MIDI file is a GM-compatible Standard MIDI Format 1
• All patches, banks and/or controllers are stored in one track
• All related note events are stored in a different track
When SONAR loads such a file, it may try to optimize the program changes, causing incorrect
selection of synthesizer voices during playback (the GM, GS, and XG specifications all recommend
the use of Standard MIDI Format 0 for distribution of music data, which would make this problem
irrelevant). If you encounter this problem, simply re-select your instruments and re-save the file.