MIDI channel

From AudioLexic

A MIDI cable can be used to transport informations (notes, sustain, modulation, aftertouch…) on 16 different channels. Each channel allows to play a different sound, one per Midi channel.

Note that each channel can play multiple notes at the same time, but only with the same sound patch.

MIDI channels are numbered from 1 to 16. By using a MIDI interface with multiple in/outs you can dispose of more than the 16 channels of a single MIDI cable.