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.
To get the routing button to show on tracks go to Options > Layouts > Track Panel > B
In piano roll view you can
Notes names with double right click
You can hide empty ones View > How/hide note rows > Hide unused and unnamed note rows
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'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
can shift selected notes with numpad arrows
turn velocity handle son notes off to stop accidentally changing it with clicks
So select banks and things for midi output:
right click on track
MIDI track controls
Show MIDI track control panel
Enable Bank/Program Select
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'.
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