> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.gridshift.studio/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# MIDI Effects

> Runs the notes of an instrument track through Audio Unit MIDI effects, such as arpeggiators and chord generators, before they reach the instrument. Run Add MIDI Effect… from the Command Palette.

## Add a MIDI effect

Select an instrument track that has an instrument loaded. Run Command Palette → **Add MIDI Effect…**, or right-click the instrument card in the Inspector and choose **Add MIDI Effect…**, then pick one. It appears in a **MIDI Effects** section above the instrument, and the next notes you play come out through it.

## Adjust a MIDI effect

Click its card in the **MIDI Effects** section to open the effect in its own window. Or hold `⌘` and drag a control on the card to change it in place, as on the [Plugin Strip](/sounds/plugin-strip.md).

## Reorder, bypass or remove

Right-click a card and choose **Move Up**, **Move Down** or **Remove**. To let the notes past an effect without removing it, run Command Palette → **Bypass MIDI Effect On/Off** and pick it.

## Good to know

* **MIDI effects only run on instrument tracks, in front of an instrument.** Load the instrument first; the built-in [Sampler](/samples/sampler.md) counts. Without one, **Add MIDI Effect…** says **Choose an Instrument First**.
* **Every note goes through them**: clips, the computer keyboard ([Play With the Keyboard](/work-fast/play-with-the-keyboard.md)) and a MIDI controller. The clips keep the notes as written, and the effect works on them each time they play.
* **They run in order, top to bottom.** Each effect sees the notes the one above it put out. The section's **+** button adds another one at the end.
* **A bounce plays them too.** A bypassed MIDI effect is skipped in the bounce, as it is live.
* **An [instrument preset](/sounds/instrument-presets.md) keeps the MIDI effects** in front of its instrument, and loading the preset brings them back.

> **Details**
>
> * **The list shows the Audio Unit MIDI processors installed on this Mac**, grouped by category. With none installed, **Add MIDI Effect…** says **No MIDI Effects Available**.
> * **The MIDI Effects section shows once the track has one.** Until then, the palette and the instrument card's menu are the ways in.
> * **Adding and removing are one step each for `⌘Z`.** Undo brings a removed effect back with its settings.
> * **Move MIDI Effect Earlier** and **Move MIDI Effect Later** reorder from the palette; **Remove MIDI Effect…** removes one.
> * **A MIDI effect that is not installed on this Mac shows as a missing card** with a button to remove it. The rest of the track plays.
> * **Converting the track to a sample track removes its MIDI effects.** Gridshift lists them before it converts: [Convert Tracks](/tracks/convert-tracks.md).

> **Commands**
>
> | Command | What it does |
> | - | - |
> | **Add MIDI Effect…** | Add one at the end of the selected instrument track's MIDI effects |
> | **Bypass MIDI Effect On/Off** | Let the notes past one effect, or through it again |
> | **Move MIDI Effect Earlier** / **Later** | Move one effect up or down the order |
> | **Remove MIDI Effect…** | Take one effect out (`⌘Z` brings it back) |


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