Standard Midi Note And Numbers Keyboard Drum Map

Standard MIDI Note Numbers: Your Keyboard to Drum Machine Mapping Guide

Understanding MIDI note numbers is crucial for anyone working with digital audio workstations (DAWs), drum machines, synthesizers, or any MIDI-based music software. This comprehensive guide will break down the standard MIDI note numbers for drums and percussion instruments, providing a clear mapping for your keyboard or MIDI controller. Knowing this will unlock a world of creative possibilities, letting you program beats, sequences, and rhythms with precision.

This article will delve into the common MIDI note numbers associated with various drum sounds, allowing you to efficiently program your drum kits and integrate them seamlessly into your musical productions.

What are MIDI Note Numbers?

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) uses a numerical system to represent musical notes. Each note on a standard 88-key piano keyboard, and beyond, is assigned a unique MIDI note number, starting from C-1 (note number 0) and extending far beyond the range of a typical piano. This numerical system allows different MIDI devices to communicate effectively regardless of their physical layouts or instrument types.

Drum sounds, while not traditionally thought of as notes in the musical scale, also utilize MIDI note numbers to trigger specific sounds within a drum kit.

The Standard MIDI Drum Map (General MIDI)

The General MIDI (GM) standard defines a common set of sounds and their corresponding MIDI note numbers. While variations exist, the following table represents the most commonly accepted mapping for drum and percussion sounds:

MIDI Note Number	Instrument	Common Name
35	Acoustic Bass Drum	Kick Drum
36	Bass Drum 1	Kick Drum
37	Side Stick	Side Stick
38	Acoustic Snare	Snare Drum
39	Hand Clap	Hand Clap
40	Electric Snare	Snare Drum (Electric)
41	Low Floor Tom	Low Tom
42	Closed Hi-Hat	Closed Hi-Hat
43	High Floor Tom	High Tom
44	Pedal Hi-Hat	Open Hi-Hat
45	Low Tom	Low Tom
46	Open Hi-Hat	Open Hi-Hat
47	Low-Mid Tom	Low-Mid Tom
48	High Mid Tom	High-Mid Tom
49	Crash Cymbal 1	Crash Cymbal
50	High Tom	High Tom
51	Ride Cymbal 1	Ride Cymbal
52	Chinese Cymbal	Chinese Cymbal
53	Ride Bell	Ride Bell
54	Tambourine	Tambourine
55	Splash Cymbal	Splash Cymbal
56	Cowbell	Cowbell
57	Crash Cymbal 2	Crash Cymbal
58	Vibraslap	Vibraslap
59	Ride Cymbal 2	Ride Cymbal
60	High Bongo	High Bongo
61	Low Bongo	Low Bongo
62	Mute High Conga	Mute High Conga
63	Open High Conga	Open High Conga
64	Low Conga	Low Conga
65	High Timbale	High Timbale
66	Low Timbale	Low Timbale
67	High Agogo	High Agogo
68	Low Agogo	Low Agogo
69	Cabasa	Cabasa
70	Maracas	Maracas
71	Short Whistle	Short Whistle
72	Long Whistle	Long Whistle
73	Short Guiro	Short Guiro
74	Long Guiro	Long Guiro
75	Claves	Claves
76	Hi Bongo	Hi Bongo
77	Low Bongo	Low Bongo
78	Mute High Conga	Mute High Conga
79	Open High Conga	Open High Conga
80	Low Conga	Low Conga

Mapping to Your Keyboard

This table allows you to easily map your MIDI keyboard to your drum sounds. For example, pressing the key corresponding to MIDI note number 36 on your keyboard will trigger the bass drum sound. Remember that this mapping is dependent on your DAW or drum machine's configuration. You might need to adjust the mapping within your software's settings.

Beyond the Standard: Expanding Your Drum Kit

While the General MIDI standard provides a foundation, many drum machines and sample libraries offer vastly expanded sets of percussion instruments and sounds, often extending beyond note number 80. Explore the capabilities of your specific software or hardware to unlock a wider range of sounds and creative possibilities.

This understanding of standard MIDI note numbers will significantly enhance your workflow and allow for more precise and creative control over your drum programming and MIDI sequencing. Experiment with different sounds and combinations to discover your unique drumming style!