Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- reaper [2024/05/13 16:27] – created - rough rjt
+++ reaper [2025/05/08 16:11] (current) – Note row hiding quirk rjt
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Reaper ======
+I've been experimenting with music making software, mostly as a way to sequence hardware [[synths and drum machines]]. Reaper's a bit overkill for that, but haven't found a dedicated software [[sequencer]] that I like yet.
 Taking some notes as I learn things.
@@ Line 7: / Line 9: @@
     * Notes names with double right click
       * these can be saved and loaded from plaintext files in piano roll: File > Note/CC Names > ...
-    * You can hide empty ones View > How/hide note rows > Hide unused and unnamed note rows
+      * It's best to use a .TXT file extension, because these will be detected and listed from the last path automatically.
+    * You can hide empty ones View > Show/hide note rows > Hide unused and unnamed note rows
+      * Annoyingly, this option doesn't work unless you first select 'Show all note rows' from the same list.
     * Rows can be reorderd by Ctrl+drag
     * To show note names on grid View > Piano roll notes > Show note names on notes
-    * for swing you have to set it, add the notes, then set it back to straight to put now unswung notes; it'a not universal
+    * for swing you have to set it, add the notes, then set it back to straight to put now unswung notes; it's not universal
     * Alt+drag (is it Alt+Ctrl+drag?) on piano roll with place notes at the timing set
     * Right click drag selects region, region of selected notes can be duplicated with Ctrl+drag
@@ Line 22: / Line 26: @@
       * Load File and get a file that matches your hardware (GM, XG, etc.)
       * select patches you want and you're good
+  * Reaper is constant recording MIDI input in the background and you can set up a shortcut to paste what it has into a track, keyword is 'retroactive MIDI recording'.
+  * MIDI sends: https://www.reaper.fm/videos.php#YTQVIHPKzc0 - Haven't found this useful yet, but it seems useful.
+  * I'm finding it useful, because I'm using Reaper to save and modify lots of CC values, to display those CC values in the main view. To do this from the ReaMIDIControl VST click 'Param' and then 'Show in track controls'.
+    * I have to use multiple instances of the VST to get them all to show :|
+  * To merge two clips (//items//) you use Item → Glue items (or Glue items within time selection)
+  * To match the tempo of a song to that of some prerecorded audio you've imported you can select the area that represents one bar/loop/whatever and go Insert→Measure from time selection (detect tempo). This will fuck up the tempo of your other audio clips (probably avoidable…), so do it first thing (or you'll have to reimport stuff).
+  * To limit soloing to only one track hold Ctrl+Alt when you click the 'S'. Like most things, you can right-click on the 'S' to see options. I hoped the ignore routing option would let me solo stuff that wasn't going to the master track, but nope!
+  * You can place //markers// with 'M'. These are given a number, and you can jump to each marker by pressing the corresponding number key.
+===== Configuration =====
+==== UI ====
+You can scale the UI via Option → Preferences… → General → Advanced UI/system tweaks…
+For some reason this doesn't effect the text in the menu bar at the top of the window. You can change this by setting ''ui_scale'' in reaper.ini, which on Linux should be: ''~/.config/REAPER.reaper.ini''
+===== MIDI =====
+Default shortcut to stop all MIDI notes (in case one gets stuck) is F3. Action description is: 'Send all-notes-off and all-sounds-off to all MIDI outputs/plug-ins' if you want to search for it.
+===== Scripts, Add-Ons =====
+There's a package manager for managing these packages:
+  * https://reapack.com/
+  * [[arch>reapack]]
+Scripts:
+  * [[https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=177437|LFO tool for MIDI editor and envelopes]] - Great tool for doing automations on MIDI CC data, etc.
+VSTs:
+  * [[https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=262175|MIDIControl]] - Better interface for working with MIDI CC, most importantly (for me) way more values in the panel than ReaControlMIDI. Doesn't work on Linux yet.
+  * [[https://ctrlr.org/|Ctrlr]] [[aur>ctrlr]] [[Ctrlr]] - Let's you design your own custom panels, and people share ones they've made. Can't get it to be detected by Reaper.
+  * [[https://www.midiplugins.com/Plugin/111|CC-Rider]] - Another better MIDI CC VST, Windows only I think.
+  * [[https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=227021|MIDI Monitor / Controller]] - Add as many MIDI CC knobs as you want. Haven't tried yet.
+===== See Also =====
+  * The Reaper website actually has really good, well organised, video tutorials:
+    * https://reaper.fm/
+    * Also on the guy's Youtube channel: [[ytc>@REAPERMania]]
+  * These ones are pretty good too: [[ytc>@Reapertips]]
 {{tag>music-making software guide}}