Compatibility of Music Data

What is Compatibility?
Any compact disc can be played on any CD player that was every
sold. Videotapes recorded in the VHS format can generally be played
on any VHS video deck. (Granted, there can be differences in the
sound or picture quality.) Hardware designed for these kinds of
media are for the most part standardized, so their controls and the
way they are operated are pretty much the same at the most basic
level. 

Most people now take this kind of compatibility for granted.
However, it could not have been realized without the existence of a
unified standard that both hardware and software can conform to. 
When considering software as a business, the issue of compatibility
is all important. It would be marvelous if all software could be
played back on all types of relevant hardware. 

Compatibility of Electronic Sound Sources
There are two main standards for the sound generating devices used
to play back music data: General MIDI and the GS format. General
MIDI is a universal standard recognized by the electronic musical
instrument industry, while the GS format is Roland's independent
standard. 

Thanks to the establishment of these standards, we have now entered
a new era in which it is possible to have music data which can be
played back using any sound generating device. Roland supports both
General MIDI and the GS format.

Compatibility of Sequence Data Format
There are two main standards for performance data (sequence data):
SMF (Standard MIDI File) and ism music data. SMF is a universal
standard recognized by the electronic musical instrument industry,
while ism music data is Roland's independent standard. 

Thanks to the SMF standard, it is now possible to create music data
that can be played back by any sequencer. Also, ism music data
provides a standard for data to be used with high-end applications,
such as found in music schools.
Roland supports both SMF and ism music data.