What is the difference between an Instrument Track and a MIDI Track?

What is the difference between an Instrument Track and a MIDI Track?

• A. An Instrument Track hosts a software instrument and outputs audio; a MIDI Track stores MIDI data that can feed a soft instrument or external device.
• B. A MIDI Track stores MIDI data that can feed a soft instrument.
• C. An Instrument Track stores MIDI data.
• D. A MIDI Track outputs audio directly.

Answer: (A)

In Pro Tools, the key distinction is what actually generates the sound. An Instrument Track has a software instrument plugged into the track itself, so the MIDI you play or record on that track is routed directly to that instrument and you hear audio from the instrument on the same track. A MIDI Track, by contrast, only holds MIDI data (note events, velocities, controllers) and does not produce sound on its own; you must route its MIDI to a software instrument or external device in order to hear audio. This separation lets you record or edit MIDI data independently from choosing the instrument (or route it to different instruments) without duplicating data.

In Pro Tools, the key distinction is what actually generates the sound. An Instrument Track has a software instrument plugged into the track itself, so the MIDI you play or record on that track is routed directly to that instrument and you hear audio from the instrument on the same track. A MIDI Track, by contrast, only holds MIDI data (note events, velocities, controllers) and does not produce sound on its own; you must route its MIDI to a software instrument or external device in order to hear audio. This separation lets you record or edit MIDI data independently from choosing the instrument (or route it to different instruments) without duplicating data.