Record MIDI
Connect a MIDI keyboard or controller. It plays the selected track. Record with the transport, pin the keyboard to one instrument, or map a knob to a parameter.
Essentials
What you'll learn
Connect MIDI Hardware
Connect your MIDI keyboard or controller to play and control instruments in your project.
- Connect your MIDI device to your computer.
- Connect via USB cable (most modern MIDI keyboards and controllers).
- Or connect via MIDI interface if using older hardware.
- Click MIDI in the topbar.
- Play your MIDI keyboard. It now controls whatever track you have selected.
- The MIDI input automatically routes to the selected track.
- You can switch tracks and the MIDI will follow the selection.
Recording MIDI
Record MIDI performances from your keyboard or controller directly into your timeline.
- Click to select a track you want to record. Make sure the track has an instrument or drum machine loaded.
- Start recording by clicking the Record button in the transport bar or pressing F9.
- Play your MIDI keyboard or controller.
- Press Space or Return/Enter to stop recording.
- Your recorded MIDI notes appear as a region on the timeline.
- You can edit, move, or duplicate the MIDI region as needed.
- See Editing → MIDI for editing options.
Assign Instrument
Assign your MIDI hardware to a specific instrument so it always plays that instrument, regardless of track selection.
On the track you want to select:
Click More → Learn MIDI Keyboard.Press a key on your MIDI keyboard.
Your keyboard is now assigned to this instrument.
- The keyboard will always play this instrument, even when other tracks are selected.
- This replaces the auto-select behavior where MIDI follows track selection.
Remove the assignment by clicking Unpin MIDI.
Your keyboard will return to auto-select behavior, following track selection.
Map Parameter
Connect any device parameter to a matching hardware controller for real-time control during performance and recording.
On the parameter you want to control:
Right‑click → Learn MIDI Controller.Move the controller on your MIDI hardware (knob, fader, or button).
The parameter is now mapped to your controller.
- Moving the controller will directly control the parameter in real-time.
- The mapping works during playback, recording, and live performance.
Control the parameter by moving your MIDI hardware controller.
- You can map multiple parameters to different controllers.
- Each parameter can be controlled independently.