MIDI CC List - Expression GuideHello Composers, Mike here, and I want to share a quick guide of the most common MIDI CC parameters.

MIDI CC parameters are incredibly important for automation in your DAW to add movement, expression, variation etc. They can truly add “life” to your music compositions, and even make orchestral music on software instruments feel expressive, organic and full of life! =)

CC values have a range from 0-127, from minimum to maximum value. However, some parameters are (on/off), where 0 to 63 = Off, 64 to 127 = On.

MIDI CC List – Most Common Parameters

  • 1 = Modulation wheel
  • 2 = Breath Control
  • 7 = Volume
  • 10 = Pan
  • 11 = Expression
  • 64 = Sustain Pedal (on/off)
  • 65 = Portamento (on/off)
  • 71 = Resonance (filter)
  • 74 = Frequency Cutoff (filter)

NOTE: There is no standard CC value for Vibrato Amount or Vibrato Speed. Sometimes you can assign them (and other CC mappings) yourself in the software instrument you use.

MIDI CC List – Complete List

  • 0 Bank Select (MSB)
  • 1 Modulation Wheel
  • 2 Breath controller
  • 3 = Undefined
  • 4 Foot Pedal (MSB)
  • 5 Portamento Time (MSB)
  • 6 Data Entry (MSB)
  • 7 Volume (MSB)
  • 8 Balance (MSB
  • 9 = Undefined
  • 10 Pan position (MSB)
  • 11 Expression (MSB)
  • 12 Effect Control 1 (MSB)
  • 13 Effect Control 2 (MSB)
  • 14 = Undefined
  • 15 = Undefined
  • 16-19 = General Purpose
  • 20-31 = Undefined
  • 32-63 = Controller 0-31
  • 64 Hold Pedal (on/off)
  • 65 Portamento (on/off)
  • 66 Sostenuto Pedal (on/off)
  • 67 Soft Pedal (on/off)
  • 68 Legato Pedal (on/off)
  • 69 Hold 2 Pedal (on/off)
  • 70 Sound Variation
  • 71 Resonance (Timbre)
  • 72 Sound Release Time
  • 73 Sound Attack Time
  • 74 Frequency Cutoff (Brightness)
  • 75 Sound Control 6
  • 76 Sound Control 7
  • 77 Sound Control 8
  • 78 Sound Control 9
  • 79 Sound Control 10
  • 80 Decay or General Purpose Button 1 (on/off) Roland Tone level 1
  • 81 Hi Pass Filter Frequency or General Purpose Button 2 (on/off) Roland Tone level 2
  • 82 General Purpose Button 3 (on/off) Roland Tone level 3
  • 83 General Purpose Button 4 (on/off) Roland Tone level 4
  • 84 Portamento Amount
  • 85-90 = Undefined
  • 91 Reverb Level
  • 92 Tremolo Level
  • 93 Chorus Level
  • 94 Detune Level
  • 95 Phaser Level
  • 96 Data Button increment
  • 97 Data Button decrement
  • 98 Non-registered Parameter (LSB)
  • 99 Non-registered Parameter (MSB)
  • 100 Registered Parameter (LSB)
  • 101 Registered Parameter (MSB)
  • 102-119 = Undefined
  • 120 All Sound Off
  • 121 All Controllers Off
  • 122 Local Keyboard (on/off)
  • 123 All Notes Off
  • 124 Omni Mode Off
  • 125 Omni Mode On
  • 126 Mono Operation
  • 127 Poly Mode

The undefined CC’s you can map yourself to any assignable parameter on your synthesizer/instrument plugin.