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
    • these can be saved and loaded from plaintext files in piano roll: File > Note/CC Names > …
    • 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 > 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'.
• MIDI sends: https://www.reaper.fm/videos.php#YTQVIHPKzc0 - Haven't found this useful yet, but it seems useful.
• I'm finding is 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 :|

There's a package manager for managing these packages:

• https://reapack.com/
• reapack

Scripts:

• LFO tool for MIDI editor and envelopes - Great tool for doing automations on MIDI CC data, etc.

VSTs:

• 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.
• 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.
• CC-Rider - Another better MIDI CC VST, Windows only I think.
• MIDI Monitor / Controller - Add as many MIDI CC knobs as you want. Haven't tried yet.

• The Reaper website actually has really good, well organised, video tutorials:
  • https://reaper.fm/
  • Also on the guy's Youtube channel: @REAPERMania
• These ones are pretty good too: @Reapertips