Overview of the Piano Roll Editor in Logic Pro for Mac

In Logic Pro for Mac, the Piano Roll Editor shows the notes in a MIDI region as color-coded bars in a time grid. Horizontal lines show the time position and note length, and the vertical position indicates pitch. A keyboard along the left edge of the Piano Roll Editor provides a reference for the pitches of notes. The info display after the tool pop-up menus in the Piano Roll Editor menu bar shows the note name and time position under the pointer.

Some software instruments—most often, drum and percussion instruments—provide names for the MIDI notes (for example, if the MIDI note G#2 plays a cowbell, the instrument displays “Cowbell” next to the keyboard at the left edge of the Piano Roll Editor). When displayed MIDI regions are played back by an instrument that provides note names, you have the option to show only those note names (called “Drum Names” in Logic Pro), in which case the keyboard is replaced by a table showing those note names.

You can also switch to Collapse Mode view, which shows only those lanes in the Piano Roll Editor that are used by notes in the MIDI regions you’ve selected.

The Piano Roll Editor can display the MIDI regions on a track, in a folder, or on multiple tracks in the project. See View multiple regions in the Piano Roll Editor in Logic Pro.

You can record notes into the Piano Roll Editor directly when the MIDI In button is activated using step recording techniques. See Use step input recording. Make sure the MIDI Out button is activated so that you can hear notes that you add, select, or click.

Figure. Piano Roll Editor, pointing out MIDI note event.

You can open the Piano Roll Editor as a pane in the main window, or as a separate, resizable window.

Open the Piano Roll Editor

In Logic Pro, do one of the following:

Select a software instrument (or external MIDI instrument) track or a MIDI region, then click the Editors button .
Select a software instrument (or external MIDI instrument) track or a MIDI region, then choose View > Show Editors.
Double-click a MIDI region (if Piano Roll is chosen from the Logic Pro > Settings > General > Editing > Double-Clicking a MIDI Region Opens pop-up menu).
The Piano Roll Editor opens below the Tracks area. On the left are controls for quantizing the timing and pitch of MIDI regions, adjusting their pitch, and editing the velocity of MIDI notes. Along the top of the Piano Roll Editor is a ruler showing time divisions, and a menu bar with local menus, tools, and other controls. The header shows the name of the selected region (or the number of regions, if more than one is selected).

Switch the Piano Roll Editor to show only drum names

In Logic Pro, choose View > Drum Names in the Piano Roll Editor menu bar.
The keyboard disappears and only the note numbers and drum names are shown.

Switch the Piano Roll Editor to Collapse Mode view

In Logic Pro, click the Collapse Mode button in the Piano Roll Editor menu bar.

Open the Piano Roll Editor as a separate window

In Logic Pro, do one of the following:

Choose Window > Open Piano Roll (or press Command-4).
Drag the Piano Roll Editor by its title out of the main window.

Vertically resize the Piano Roll Editor

In Logic Pro, place the pointer in the bar at the top of the Editors window, then drag upward.
Drag downward to make the editor smaller again.

Hide or show the local Piano Roll Editor inspector

In Logic Pro, do one of the following:
- To hide the Piano Roll Editor inspector: Choose Hide Local Inspector from the Piano Roll Editor View menu.
- To show the Piano Roll Editor inspector: Choose Show Local inspector from the Piano Roll Editor View menu.

Set the Link mode for the Piano Roll Editor

You can turn on Content Link for the Piano Roll Editor, so that it always displays the contents of the currently selected MIDI region.

In Logic Pro, do one of the following:
- To set the Link mode to Content: Click the Link button in the Piano Roll Editor menu bar.
- To set the Link mode to Off: Click the Link button in the Piano Roll Editor menu bar again.

Same Level Link is not available for the Piano Roll Editor. To learn more about using Link modes, see Link windows in a Logic Pro project.

Change the background for the Piano Roll Editor

By default, the Piano Roll Editor shows notes on a dark background. You can change the background in Display settings if you prefer a lighter background.

Choose Logic Pro for iPad > Settings > Display.
Click Editors, then select the Piano Roll: Bright background checkbox.

Close the Piano Roll Editor

In Logic Pro, click the Editors button .

Download the guides:

Logic Pro User Guide: Apple Books | PDF

Logic Pro Instruments: Apple Books | PDF

Logic Pro Effects: Apple Books | PDF

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