Program Changes

DirectMusic

Microsoft DirectX 9.0 SDK Update (Summer 2004)

Program Changes

Program changes and patch numbers are a key concept in MIDI playback and in DirectMusic. A program change assigns a particular instrument (also called a program or timbre) to a channel so that the notes sent to that channel are played with the appropriate sound. Instruments are identified by patch numbers. If the GM instrument set is loaded, a program change specifying patch number 1 always causes the channel to play its notes as an acoustic grand piano. The actual sound produced at the speakers depends on how the instrument is synthesized.


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