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 > …
  • 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