General Midi, newbie question Options

[stalked]

Hello all, muchos help needed, im currently studying a music technology course and have been told I must create a composition entirely using general midi. I understand the basic background to this term general midi i.e. protocol set up so all could have standardised format etc. What I would like to know is are there a specific set of sounds that are regarded as the general midi and if so where can I get a set of these. Im using cubase SX with an iBook and an evolution ekeys USB controller/keyboard, as you probably know this contains no sound of its own so what are my options? am I off out to buy a midi sound module, if so which is best/cheapest? or alternatively can I download a patch/set of sounds, I think there must be some kind of in built set with the iBook as i can play midi files, am I wrong? (wouldnt be the first) if so how can I access these through cubase? Just started using Cubase so loads more questions there but i'll have a go at those myself if I can get this sorted
any help would be top
cheers

[bjkiwi]

Cubase VST32/5 came with a built in virtual instrument called 'Universal Sound Module' that seems to fit what you're looking for. It had everything from pianos, horns etc. to drums and sound fx. Maybe I'm wrong but I'm sure cubase SX would have something similar. Have you looked to see what virtual instruments it came bundled with?
Record some midi notes, assign the track to the virtual instrument and off you go.

good luck, bjkiwi

[lepetitmartien]

You don't need more than the already installed Quicktime instruments It's a Roland based set of GM instruments built into Quicktime.

If you want to know more on GM:

At the Official MIDI site
something more user ended

[stalked]

Thanks for your help guys. Ive since encountered another problem, I found the included sound banks and have access to numerous instruments but I cant actually get them to play in cubase SX, I can record midi notes into the track but I cant hear any sound whilst recording or playing back what ive recorded. Ive been into the midi device manager and there seems to be no option to select quicktime as a device. Ive already posted a similar question on a different thread (apologies for re posting) adn was told that I'll have to go out and get a midi hardware device, I dont really want the additional expense so just wanted to know if anyone knew of any other solution, or what would be the best solution if I do end up paying for it
Thanks again