MIDI/Q/Which MIDI CC numbers are free for custom mappings?
Which MIDI CC numbers are free for custom mappings?
- Answer/Official from MIDI 1.0 Control Change Messages
- Short answer: use the controllers the MIDI spec marks "Undefined": 3, 9, 14, 15, 20–31, 85–87, 89, 90 and 102–119. The block 102–119 is the largest run.
- Avoid 120–127. These are Channel Mode Messages, which "affect the channel's operating mode" rather than a sound parameter: All Sound Off, Reset All Controllers, Local Control On/Off, All Notes Off, Omni Off, Omni On, Mono On and Poly On.
- 88 is not free. It is High Resolution Velocity Prefix, between the undefined 85–87 and 89–90.
- Check the controller's own defaults too. The Launchpad Pro's Custom 2 faders send CC 15–22 (Launchpad/UG/08 Custom Modes/02 Default Custom Modes), which overlaps the undefined 15 and 20–22.
- Example: Launchpad/Custom/Mode/1 Arrangement uses CC 116–119 on channel 16. The next free numbers are 115 and down to 102.