How to Use the Piano Roll (MIDI Editor) in Logic Pro

Unlock creative control over your MIDI performances using Logic Pro's powerful Piano Roll Editor.

MIDI & Instruments · intermediate level

Steps

  1. Open the Piano Roll Editor

    Double-click on a MIDI region in the Tracks area. This will open the Piano Roll Editor in the lower part of the Logic Pro window, or as a new window if configured that way.

  2. Navigate the Editor

    The Piano Roll displays MIDI notes as horizontal bars. The vertical axis represents pitch (like a piano keyboard), and the horizontal axis represents time. Use the scroll bars or zoom controls to navigate your region.

  3. Draw and Edit Notes

    Select the Pencil tool (usually by holding Command or selecting it from the Tools menu). Click in the Piano Roll to draw new notes. Drag existing notes to change their position (time) or pitch. Drag the end of a note to change its length.

  4. Adjust Velocity

    Below the main note display is the MIDI Draw area, which defaults to 'Velocity'. Drag the individual velocity bars up or down to adjust the loudness/intensity of each note. This adds expression to your performance.

  5. Quantize Notes

    To correct timing, select the notes you want to quantize (Command + A to select all). In the Quantize section of the Region Inspector (left side of the editor), choose a rhythmic value (e.g., 1/16, 1/8 note) from the dropdown menu to snap notes to the grid.

  6. Other Editing Tools

    Explore other tools and functions: 'Legato' to extend notes, 'Transpose' to change pitch, and 'Delete Overlaps' to clean up notes.

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