Yamaha and Roland agree to cooperate to improve MIDI data compatibility

1. MIDI (Musical Instruments Digital Interface) data
   MIDI is an international standard governing the external control of synthesizers and other electronic musical instruments. MIDI data, often referred to as Standard MIDI File or SMF, is music data that describes music performance information as digital data.
   
2. GM2
   GM2 is an international standard of a tone generation format, set by the AMEI and MMA, designed to achieve greater musical expressiveness and hardware and software compatibility. An enhancement of the previous GM (General MIDI; see Note 5, below) standard, it defines detailed operational specifications for voice editing and creating effects not covered by its forerunner, as well as expanding the number of available tones. GM2-compatible tone generators are capable of correctly playing back all music data identified with the GM or the GM2 mark. To differentiate the two, the older GM—which does not include the additional definitions provided by GM2—is now being called "GM1."
   
3. XG Format
   XG is a tone generation format advocated by Yamaha for electronic instruments. XG is upward compatible with GM and it provides more voices, editing capabilities, three effect processors and other functionalities to enhance the musical expressiveness of MIDI data.
   
4. GS Format
   GS is a tone generation format created by Roland that builds on GM and is designed to make richer musical expressiveness possible and to enhance compatibility by standardizing in detail expanded functions such as voice editing and effects, as well as providing additional tone.
   
5. GM (General MIDI)
   GM is an international standard of a tone generation format which was accepted as "Recommended Practice" of MIDI by AMEI and MMA. GM is a set of common rules for tone generators to ensure the ability to reproduce musical performances on different GM compatible devices.