When I record a new take on a midi track, all other midi takes are muted. Is there a way to get them to play back, so for instance I can modify controllers on a synth and hear the effect in real time?
 
Apologies if this issue is resolved anywhere, I did a search and couldn't find anything, and none of the options in preferences seem to address it.

Your description indicates you are probably using the Comping Record Mode, which mutes previous takes when recording a new take.
 
If you want to hear previous takes as you record new ones, then change the Record Mode to Sound on Sound.  Sound on Sound does not mute previous takes.
 
There are 3 different methods that you can choose from to unmute the takes that are already muted:
1.  Use the Mute tool and click on the muted clips.
2.  Right click on the muted clip and select the Clip Mute/Unmute option from the context menu.
3.  Select each clip, open the clip inspector and uncheck the Mute field checkbox.
 
[EDIT] Edited options 2 and 3 above after initial submit.
 
Hope this helps,
-- Ron

@SquireBum thanks for the reply.
 
I've worked it out! I read your reply, and that is how I thought it should work, but I have already set the recording mode and it was still happening.
 
I have gotten into the habit of arming the take lane that I want to record into. That causes the behaviour I am describing even in sound on sound mode. Arming the track only and not arming any individual take lanes works as I want it to.
 
Appreciate your help!

robotecho



 
I have gotten into the habit of arming the take lane that I want to record into. That causes the behaviour I am describing even in sound on sound mode.
 

Thanks for the feedback.
 
I have never recorded directly into take lanes, so I wasn't aware of the muting behavior.  When I tried record enabling a take lane and recording, the previous takes don't playback, but the clips are not in a muted (grayed out) status.  Is that what you are experiencing?
 
Thanks for teaching me something. 
 
-- Ron

Hi Ron, yes that is exactly the behaviour I experience.
Appreciate your help!
Cheers, Rob.