A Channel is a path through which an audio or data signal travels.

On a mixing console, a channel (or channel strip) is the vertical row of controls (knobs, buttons, and fader) dedicated to a single audio source, such as a microphone or instrument. Each channel allows you to individually adjust the gain, equalization, dynamics, and volume of that specific sound before it is mixed with the others.

In the MIDI context, a channel is one of 16 virtual "paths" through which data can be sent via a single cable.

This organization allows you to control up to 16 different MIDI instruments independently with just one connection. For example, you can use Channel 1 to control a piano sound, Channel 2 for a bass sound, Channel 10 for the drums, and so on.