MIDI Drum Map for Bass Drum and Snare Triggers

This article provides a concise guide to the General MIDI (GM) drum map layout specifically for bass drum and snare triggers. In standard MIDI setups, percussion tracks default to MIDI Channel 10, utilizing specific note numbers to trigger consistent drum voices across different hardware synthesizers, virtual instruments, and electronic drum modules. Below are the exact note assignments, standard naming conventions, and common trigger configurations for kick and snare elements.

Bass Drum (Kick) Standard Assignments

The General MIDI standard designates two primary note numbers for bass drum sounds, located in the lower register:

• MIDI Note 35 (B0): Acoustic Bass Drum
  Typically mapped to a deeper, more resonant, or jazz-style kick drum sound with a natural acoustic tail.
• MIDI Note 36 (C1): Bass Drum 1
  The primary, standard kick drum trigger used in modern pop, rock, and electronic music. Most single-zone kick drum trigger pads are assigned to Note 36 by default.

Snare Drum Standard Assignments

General MIDI provides three distinct note assignments for snare articulations, accommodating main hits, auxiliary sounds, and electronic variations:

• MIDI Note 37 (C#1): Side Stick
  Triggers a cross-stick sound (striking the rim while the stick rests on the drumhead). Often utilized by the rim sensor on dual-zone electronic snare pads.
• MIDI Note 38 (D1): Acoustic Snare
  The universal primary center hit for acoustic snare drums. Electronic drum pads map the main head trigger to this note by default.
• MIDI Note 40 (E1): Electric Snare
  Intended for electronic snare samples, alternate layers, or a high-pitched/second snare. In many contemporary drum VSTs, Note 40 is frequently reassigned to trigger a snare rimshot rather than a purely synthetic sound.

Trigger Configuration Summary