# Practice Mode

These days, many instruments are software-based. This applies not only to software MIDI instruments like the Sampler or instrument plugins, but also to guitar amp simulators such as the Guitar Amp effect. Practice Mode lets you use these instruments without actually recording them, so you can practice your part or use a keyboard to figure out chords, etc.

### Manual Practice Mode

You can switch a track to Practice Mode by double clicking its Play button. The button will display "Practice" while the track is in Practice Mode. The track will remain in Practice Mode until you click either its Play or Rec button.

Note that Soft Monitoring must be enabled for audio tracks to be audible.

### Automatic Practice Mode

A track will switch to Practice Mode automatically if certain conditions are met. A MIDI track will enter Practice Mode if the MIDI instrument's window is visible when the transport starts, and neither the track's Play nor Rec button is enabled. Similarly, an audio track will enter Practice Mode if one of its effect windows is visible when the transport starts, and neither the track's Play nor Rec button is enabled.

Automatic Practice Mode also works while the transport is stopped, regardless of the track's Play/Rec buttons. Alternatively, you can enable a track's Rec button. This will allow Practice Mode even if no effect or instrument window is visible.