Why does the instrument selection for MIDI tracks & MIDI Loops seem to be randomized in Logic Pro for Mac?

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Level 2

208 points

Why does the instrument selection for MIDI tracks & MIDI Loops seem to be randomized in Logic Pro for Mac?

In Logic Pro for Mac, I am experiencing significant difficulties comprehending the rationale behind the availability of instruments on MIDI tracks. The inconsistency in which instruments are accessible and selectable on MIDI tracks is highly confusing. For instance, when I drag and drop a MIDI Loop from the Loop library into a new track on the project, the Library may show up as empty, preventing me from switching the MIDI track to another instrument. Additionally, the ”Revert” button is grayed out, rendering it unusable.

Clicking the instrument name in the Inspector (or Mixer) typically displays a selection of some instruments, but not all of them. Refer to the attached screenshots where I attempt to switch the instrument from a Harpsichord to the Metal Pan Flute instrument, but the choice for the Metal Pan Flute instrument is absent from both the Library and the Inspector:

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Furthermore, I encounter instances where I am unable to select certain instruments (such as the Metal Pan Flute) even when creating a new MIDI track:

Conversely, I may randomly drag and drop a MIDI Loop into a new track, and all of the instruments (including the Metal Pan Flute) become suddenly available for selection:

Despite the name of Logic Pro, I fail to comprehend the logic behind the random choices for switching a MIDI track to any instrument. Why is this limitation present at certain times and absent at others? Additionally, why is it impossible to select any desired instrument when creating a new MIDI track (a.k.a. MIDI Software Instrument track)?

Could someone please elucidate this logic?

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 26.1

Posted on Nov 26, 2025 2:07 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

FilipOfficial Author

Level 2

208 points

Nov 27, 2025 4:04 AM in response to FilipOfficial

I figured it out! Turn out that the blue little triangle (called the Library Focus Triangle) in the Inspector needs to be pointed to the top button (the Setting button) not the middle button (the Instrument slot). Click to the left of the Setting button to make the Library Focus Triangle appear there, and the Library will automatically update to show all instruments included in Logic Pro for Mac.

Also, when creating new MIDI tracks, turns out that it's better to set the Instrument to be an Empty Channel Strip and manually select an instrument from the Library so you're not accidentally limiting yourself to a limited selection of instruments.

This is definitely confusing for new users like me, but the Library Focus Triangle pointing to the wrong spot in the Channel Strip is what results in only a limited amount of instruments compatible with that particular synthesizer/sampler engine being visible in the Library.

GIF that demonstrates this:

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Answer 2

Johne154

Level 2

339 points

Nov 27, 2025 7:07 PM in response to FilipOfficial

I tried clicking on the blue triangle and all it did was close the Library.

There's another option to be aware of:

Above the Instrument icon at the top of the Library window, click on All Sounds and you'll see a dropdown with the Sound Packs in alphabetical order and in a lower section it shows all of the Producer Packs in alphabetical order.

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