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Records keyscale plays and global output tone groups (tones + intervals only).

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Configure global engine, input and output routing for sandbox tools.

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MIDI Input Log
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Live global playback engine used by direct preview and manual play actions.
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Explicit defaults used across the website for percussion, instrument, one-note melodic, chord or harmony, and dedicated microtonal playback contexts. Percussion or instrument playback can also use sampler presets.
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Configure navigation behavior for Graphical Harmony network view.

Technical

⚡ The Complete Guide to MIDI Commands

Published 2026-03-18 17:16

⚡ The Complete Guide to MIDI Commands

Every status byte, controller & system message — from Note On to SysEx

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is the universal language of electronic music. It is a technical protocol that allows instruments, computers, and hardware to communicate. At its core, MIDI is composed of commands, or messages, that tell a device what to do.

⚙️ Message Structure

Every MIDI message is a sequence of 8-bit bytes:

  • Status Byte: Indicates the type of command (e.g., Note On) and the MIDI channel. The first bit is always "1".
  • Data Bytes: Contain the actual information (e.g., note number or velocity). The first bit is always "0", limiting values to a range of 0–127.

MIDI commands are divided into two main categories: Channel Messages and System Messages.

1. Channel Messages

Directed at a specific MIDI channel (1–16). The channel number is embedded in the status byte.

🎹 Channel Voice Messages

These carry performance data and are the most common type of MIDI traffic.

Command Name Status Byte (hex) Data Bytes Description
Note Off 8n 2: Note, Velocity Sent when a key is released.
Note On 9n 2: Note, Velocity Velocity 0 is often interpreted as Note Off.
Poly Pressure An 2: Note, Pressure Pressure change for a single held key.
Control Change Bn 2: Ctrl #, Value Mod wheel, sustain pedal, etc.
Program Change Cn 1: Program # Changes the instrument patch/preset.
Pitch Bend En 2: LSB, MSB High-resolution 14-bit pitch control.
🔢 Pro Tip: In the status byte, 'n' is the MIDI channel (0–F in hex). Example: 0x90 is Note On for Channel 1; 0x9F is Note On for Channel 16.

🧩 Channel Mode Messages

Determines how a device responds to voice messages. These use Status Bn with Controller # 121–127.

Command Name Ctrl # Description
Reset All 121 Resets controllers to defaults.
Local Control 122 Connects/Disconnects keys from engine.
All Notes Off 123 Mutes all notes on the channel.

2. System Messages

System Messages are global and ignore channel assignments.

📡 System Common & Real-Time

Used for synchronization and device-wide management.

  • F2 (Song Position): Sets sequencer playback point.
  • F8 (Timing Clock): Sent 24 times per quarter note for sync.
  • FA / FB / FC: Start, Continue, and Stop commands.
  • FE (Active Sensing): Heartbeat signal to prevent stuck notes.

🧪 System Exclusive (SysEx)

Used for manufacturer-specific data like patch dumps.

Starts with F0, contains any number of data bytes, and ends with F7.

Compiled from the official MIDI specification · v1.0 / updated 2025

🎛️ Reference Guide: All MIDI commands fall between status bytes 8n and FF.