How do I pencil in midi?

There is no access to the piano roll unless load up a track with an instrument and press record. I let it go and not record anything, press stop and them I'm able to get to the piano roll. I haven't seen anything in the help files unless I'm doing something wrong. This is very awkward.

- set the time selection loop points to the area where you want the new MIDi clip. - click [Insert] >> new MIDI item I've assigned a shortcut to that "insert MIDI item" Action. HTH

THanks very much!