Midi question

[samuelock]

if you have a keyboard such as a motif or fantom, can you only use the GM sounds on the computer if you're only connected through midi?

 

[Formant024]

yeah, they would respond to their fixed names and instrument. A general midi bank is a fixed protocol stating that program 1 is always a piano, no matter what midi application you're running ( windows or your phone ). Most synth have a GM kit standard, not all gm kits are the same sounds, each oem has their piano sounds on GM program 1, elec. piano on 2 etc.
If and when you use GM bank assignment and their is no true GM kit it will play programs assigned to that midi channel, giving you the programs on that midi channel. You might see the program names but you're actualy dialing into the non gm bank ( your normal presets ).

korg or yamaha, i dont recall ( i think its yamaha ) have another protocol also mostly supported by various applications, is called XG.