In this guide
Open the audio region in Logic Pro for Mac, enable Flex Pitch, correct its detected notes, and choose Edit → Create MIDI Track from Flex Pitch Data in the Audio Track Editor. Compare the resulting MIDI with the original: it is an estimated performance, not the recorded sound.
To convert audio to MIDI in Logic Pro for Mac, open a clear audio region in the Audio Track Editor, enable Flex Pitch, and choose Edit → Create MIDI Track from Flex Pitch Data in that editor. Logic creates a software instrument track with MIDI regions based on the detected pitches. Play the result alongside the original and correct notes and timing before using it.
This method is best suited to a single melodic line, such as one singer or a bass part. Apple says chords and other polyphonic material can be interpreted incorrectly. MIDI contains performance instructions; it does not preserve the source voice, lyrics or instrument tone. See Apple's Flex Pitch to MIDI instructions.
Before you start: choose the recording
- Use a separate performance if available. A clean original vocal or instrument track is a better starting point than a full mix containing simultaneous parts.
- Begin with a short phrase. Include clear attacks, sustained notes and a pause so you can compare the detected notes with the source.
- Keep the original. Save a copy of the project before making pitch or timing changes. Record the region's timeline position if you plan to place the MIDI in another project.
If only a mixed recording is available, the Saturalabs stem splitter can test an audible instrument or voice as a separate audio estimate. Compare it with the original first: missing attacks or added artifacts can also affect note detection. The AI service accepts supported local MP3, WAV, MP4 and MOV files up to 50 MiB; downloading a WAV requires an account and sufficient credits. It does not generate MIDI.
Convert the audio region using Flex Pitch
- Open the audio track. In Logic Pro for Mac, double-click the audio region in the Tracks area to open the Audio Track Editor.
- Turn on Flex Pitch. Click the Show/Hide Flex button in the Audio Track Editor menu bar and choose Flex Pitch from its Flex Mode menu.
- Review the detected notes. Compare the displayed notes with the recording. Correct obvious wrong pitches, timing or note boundaries in Flex Pitch before creating MIDI. Keep a reference to the untreated source.
- Create the MIDI track. In the Audio Track Editor menu bar, choose Edit → Create MIDI Track from Flex Pitch Data. Apple says Logic creates a MIDI region for each audio region on that audio track; inspect the new instrument track below it.
- Choose an instrument and compare. Select a patch from the Library, play the MIDI with the original, and edit inaccurate notes in the Piano Roll. Mute one track when you need to hear the other clearly.
Use the Audio Track Editor menu for the creation command. If it is unavailable, confirm the audio region is open in that editor and Flex Pitch is selected; menu names and behavior can vary with Logic version. Apple's Flex Pitch editing guide describes adjusting pitch, position and note length.
Check and export the MIDI
Compare a few notes at a time. Listen for missing pickups, extra notes caused by noise, octave errors and sustained notes split into pieces. Move or resize notes in the Piano Roll and compare the corrected phrase against the recording. Quantization can change the feel, so audition its effect rather than applying it blindly.
To use the MIDI in another app, select the intended MIDI region or regions and choose File → Export → Selection as MIDI File. Apple documents preparing regions and exporting MIDI, including how region parameters, quantization, loops and format choices affect export. Import the saved file into the destination and check its timing, notes and instrument assignment.
Troubleshoot the result
| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
| Wrong or missing notes | Try a cleaner single-note source; correct the detected pitch and the resulting Piano Roll notes against the original. |
| A chord becomes one line | Flex Pitch is intended for monophonic material. Try separate original parts or a method designed for polyphonic transcription, then inspect each note. |
| The MIDI sounds unlike the singer | This is expected: the selected software instrument makes the sound. Keep the original audio to preserve the voice and words. |
| A whole track created several regions | The command creates MIDI regions for audio regions on the track. Review and select the regions you need before export. |
Common questions
Can I turn a full song into separate MIDI instruments?
Flex Pitch does not reliably recover every instrument from a finished mix. Original individual tracks are the better starting point; isolation and transcription are estimates, and the MIDI needs review.
Does Flex Pitch create a separate MIDI file automatically?
It creates MIDI regions on a software instrument track in the Logic project. Export the selected regions as a MIDI file if another application needs a standalone file.
For other methods and their tradeoffs, see how to convert audio to MIDI.