Inserting MIDI Notes

In addition to recording, step recording, and importing MIDI into Pro Tools, you can manually insert MIDI notes using the Pencil tool.

When inserting MIDI notes or other MIDI data with the Pencil tool, MIDI clip boundaries are created on the nearest barlines.

To insert a MIDI Note On a track in the Edit window:

1 In the Edit window, set the MIDI or Instrument track to Notes view.

2 Select the Pencil tool and make sure it is set to Free Hand. The cursor will change to the Pencil tool when located over the playlist area of a MIDI or Instrument track in Notes view.

3 To insert quarter notes on the beat, do the following:

Set the Main Time Scale to Bars|Beats.

Set the Edit mode to Grid.

Set the Grid value to quarter notes.

Set the Default Note Duration value either to quarter notes (or to Follow Grid).

4 Move the Pencil tool into the playlist area for the MIDI or Instrument track. Use the Edit window’s ruler and the track’s mini-keyboard as a reference to locate the pitch and time location you want.

When using the Pencil tool, the Cursor location and value are displayed in the Window Toolbar.

5 When you reach the pitch and time location you want, click to insert the note.

 

MIDI note inserted with the Pencil tool

With the Smart Tool active (see Using the Smart Tool), Start-click (Windows) or Control-click (Mac) to change the cursor to the Pencil tool and insert MIDI notes; Option-Control-click (Mac) or Alt-Start-click (Mac) to delete notes.

With Grid mode enabled, the start point of the MIDI note snaps to the nearest Grid boundary by default. With the Free Hand Pencil tool, press Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) after clicking and holding to temporarily suspend Snap to Grid.

The velocity for inserted notes is determined by the Default Note On Velocity setting. The duration is determined by the Default Note Duration value. When in Grid mode, the Note On location is determined by the Grid value.

If the Play MIDI Notes When Editing option is enabled, each note sounds as it is inserted.

The Pencil tool can be dragged after clicking (and before releasing) to adjust the note’s pitch or duration. Drag right to lengthen the note without changing its start point. Drag left to shorten the note without changing its end point.

 

Adjusting the duration for an inserted note

With the Grid mode enabled, the end point of the MIDI note snaps to the nearest Grid boundary by default. Control-drag (Windows) or Command-drag (Mac) with the Pencil tool to temporarily suspend Snap to Grid.