Control Change (CC) Messages In Depth | LdA Lab

Control Change (CC) is one of MIDI's most flexible and powerful message types. From modulation wheels to expression pedals, from volume control to effect parameters, CC messages carry nearly all real-time control needs. This article provides a complete analysis based on the official MMA specification.

1. CC Message Structure

CC messages use status bytes 0xB0-0xBF (channels 1-16), followed by two data bytes: CC number (0-127) and CC value (0-127). While 7 bits give 128 controllers, MSB/LSB pairing (CC#0-31 with CC#32-63) enables 14-bit high-resolution control (value range 0-16383).

Status:  0xBn  (n = channel 0-15)
Data 1:  0xCC  (CC number 0-127)
Data 2:  0xVV  (CC value 0-127)

Example: Channel Volume (CC#7) = 100 on Channel 1
  → 0xB0 0x07 0x64

2. CC Controller Categories

The MIDI 1.0 specification divides 128 CC numbers into several functional ranges:

CC#0-31

14-bit controller MSB (coarse)

CC#32-63

14-bit controller LSB (fine)

CC#64-69

Switch controllers (on/off)

CC#70-79

Sound controllers (synthesizer parameters)

CC#80-83

General purpose (MS-3 uses for Loop control)

CC#91-95

Effects depth (reverb/chorus etc.)

CC#120-127

Channel Mode messages (special functions)

3. Complete CC Reference Table

CC#	Name	Range	Type	Description
0	Bank Select	0-127	MSB	14-bit bank select for patch/preset groups
1	Modulation Wheel	0-127	MSB	Typically vibrato depth
2	Breath Controller	0-127	MSB	Wind controller breath pressure
4	Foot Controller	0-127	MSB	Expression pedal input
5	Portamento Time	0-127	MSB	Glide speed between notes
6	Data Entry MSB	0-127	MSB	Used with RPN/NRPN to set parameter values
7	Channel Volume	0-127	MSB	Per-channel volume level
8	Balance	0-127	MSB	Stereo balance (0=left, 64=center, 127=right)
10	Pan	0-127	MSB	Mono pan position
11	Expression	0-127	MSB	Expression pedal, scales channel volume
12	Effect Control 1	0-127	MSB	Generic effect parameter 1
13	Effect Control 2	0-127	MSB	Generic effect parameter 2
64	Damper Pedal (Sustain)	0-63=Off, 64-127=On	Switch	Sustain pedal (piano style)
65	Portamento On/Off	0-63=Off, 64-127=On	Switch	Toggle portamento/glide
66	Sostenuto	0-63=Off, 64-127=On	Switch	Sustain only held notes
67	Soft Pedal	0-63=Off, 64-127=On	Switch	Reduce note velocity/dynamics
80	General Purpose 5	0-127	MSB	MS-3: Loop 1 control (0-63=Off, 64-127=On)
81	General Purpose 6	0-127	MSB	MS-3: Loop 2 control
82	General Purpose 7	0-127	MSB	MS-3: Loop 3 control
83	General Purpose 8	0-127	MSB	General purpose controller
91	Reverb Send Level	0-127	MSB	Effects 1 Depth (reverb)
93	Chorus Send Level	0-127	MSB	Effects 3 Depth (chorus)
100	RPN LSB	0-127	Special	Registered Parameter Number - LSB select
101	RPN MSB	0-127	Special	Registered Parameter Number - MSB select
120	All Sound Off	0	Mode	Immediately mute all oscillators
121	Reset All Controllers	0	Mode	Reset all CC values to defaults
122	Local Control	0=Off, 127=On	Mode	Toggle keyboard-to-sound engine link
123	All Notes Off	0	Mode	Release all active notes
126	Mono Mode On	0-16	Mode	Switch to monophonic mode
127	Poly Mode On	0	Mode	Switch to polyphonic mode

4. RPN: Registered Parameter Numbers

RPN is an extension to CC messages for setting standard parameters registered with the MMA. Setting an RPN requires three steps: 1) Send CC#101 (MSB) + CC#100 (LSB) to select the parameter; 2) Set the value via Data Entry (CC#6 MSB + CC#38 LSB); 3) Optionally send RPN Null to disable the data entry.

MSB	LSB	Parameter	Description
0x00	0x00	Pitch Bend Sensitivity	MSB = semitones, LSB = cents
0x00	0x01	Channel Fine Tuning	00 00 = -100 cents, 40 00 = A440
0x00	0x02	Channel Coarse Tuning	00 = -64 semitones, 40 = A440
0x00	0x05	Modulation Depth Range	For GM2 vibrato depth
0x7F	0x7F	Null / Reset RPN	Disable data entry until new RPN set

5. Channel Mode Messages

CC#120-127 are reserved for Channel Mode messages. Unlike normal CCs, these change the channel's operating mode rather than controlling sound parameters. All Sound Off (CC#120) and All Notes Off (CC#123) are especially important in pedal switching scenarios — they cleanly stop all current voices. Local Control (CC#122) disconnects the keyboard from the sound engine to prevent double-triggering during DAW recording.

6. CC in Practice on MS-3

The MS-3 uses General Purpose controllers (CC#80-82) to control the on/off state of its 3 loops. Values 0-63 are Off, 64-127 are On. Additionally, CC#102/103 handle preset navigation and CC#90/91 handle tap tempo. This means any MIDI controller (external foot controller, DAW, MIDI keyboard) can control every MS-3 function by sending these CC messages.

7. Best Practices

✓Use CC#7 (Channel Volume) with CC#11 (Expression) for relative volume control

✓Use 14-bit MSB/LSB pairs for high-precision parameters (e.g., pitch bend range)

✓Send CC#123 (All Notes Off) + CC#120 (All Sound Off) before preset changes to avoid stuck notes

✓Use CC#121 (Reset All Controllers) before a song starts to reset all parameters to defaults

⚠Avoid sending too many CC messages per second in dense sequences — MIDI bandwidth is limited (31.25 Kbaud), excessive messages can cause latency

8. Summary

Control Change messages are the foundation of real-time MIDI control. From basic volume/expression control to precise RPN parameter adjustment, to MS-3 loop switching — understanding the CC message system gives you true mastery over your device chain. In the LdA ecosystem, CC messages are the core mechanism for seamless pedal switching.