Trying to integrate controller, Reaper, and VSTs

jiwanshakti · 11-13-2019, 07:27 PM

Hi, I’m trying to figure out how to integrate a keyboard/controller (an Akai MPK mini/Mk. II, my first) with Reaper as my DAW, a Presonus AR12USB board, and at least as a start, Kontakt as a VST. I’ve been recording multitrack OK with the Reaper/Presonus setup for a couple of years, not brilliant but enough to get by, and arranging percussion tracks from loops (Loopcloud). The controller seemed like a good next step to be able to have pads and create the percussion tracks from scratch. As of now I am totally at sea, don’t understand MIDI, VSTs, controllers, or any of it, so am just sort of floundering around. I do have the full Reaper manual and have been working from that. Even though the MPK has it’s own software, from the few posts I’ve been able to find on that and Reaper, I can just use Reaper and plug Kontakt into that as well. Still working on that.

The manual for the MPK is useless and there is no other doc on the Akai website, and the videos I’ve been able to find so far have also been useless. Maybe what I need is a recommendation for a book or manual out there that gives a broad overview of how to get a handle on all this--this is not a one-shot question, but more like how do I even find the resources to figure this out. Something that explains how all the parts fit together.

I do have the MPC Essentials, MPK mini MIDI editor, and VIP installed, and each of those pieces of software has a user guide that looks more comprehensive that the guide for the MPK hardware (useless), so those may help as I work my way through them. Any help or advice on all this would be appreciated. Thanks…

mschnell · 11-14-2019, 02:18 AM

Welcome to the Reaper forums !

I suppose you want a rather "standard" way to remote-control Reaper by the control surface device.

the "CSI" might be want you need for this. See the appropriate "CSI" thread right here. Maybe configuration files for your controller already are available. Otherwise you'll find instructions and help.

-Michael

jiwanshakti · 11-14-2019, 08:36 AM

OK, thanks, but I don't think that I just want a standard way to control Reaper, I want to understand the whole set of relationships between Reaper as DAW, the MPK mini as control surface(and by extension, control surfaces in general), and VSTs.

I searched the forums for CSI but didn't get any results, so maybe I'm searching wrongly. Not sure what I'm looking for, like does "right here" mean in this specific forum or what? Sorry if this seems incredibly ignorant...

mschnell · 11-14-2019, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiwanshakti

I searched the forums for CSI but didn't get any results.

The forum search does not search for words with only three letters

I meant this -> https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=183143
-Michael

jiwanshakti · 11-15-2019, 10:01 AM

OK, thanks, good to understand that aspect of the search capabilities for the forum. I couldn't figure that out, why it wasn't finding things I knew were there.

Interesting link, but still seems over my head at this point. Again, at my level of understanding I am looking for some resource that helps me tie all this stuff together in a basic way. Maybe if I keep reading it will eventually come together for me.

Not_Here · 11-15-2019, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiwanshakti

OK, thanks, good to understand that aspect of the search capabilities for the forum. I couldn't figure that out, why it wasn't finding things I knew were there.

Interesting link, but still seems over my head at this point. Again, at my level of understanding I am looking for some resource that helps me tie all this stuff together in a basic way. Maybe if I keep reading it will eventually come together for me.

have you tried any of the Kenny videos? I went from never using a midi keyboard with reaper to laying down tracks in one evening of following along with his midi vids.
They do help understand with the "setup" as it were. Check out the MIDI & Virtual Instruments section.

I started with the "Creating a Live Drum Kit" vid, and by the time I was done with all three short vids I can load any sample, VSTi, effect etc.. and can save it to load into a track any time, ready to go.

jiwanshakti · 11-17-2019, 06:43 PM

heya

this sounds good, but where are they?

tx

jiwanshakti · 11-17-2019, 06:47 PM

OK, ya

https://www.reaper.fm/videos.php

tx

Not_Here · 11-17-2019, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiwanshakti

OK, ya

https://www.reaper.fm/videos.php

tx

Kenny makes this stuff really enjoyable and pretty stress free.

I will admit to having to pause and rewind a bit here and there, a few times, but mostly cuz I get distracted by the cool sounds and all the little tweaks -

they are great reference for "that thing I learned months ago but forgot exactly how" type of issues...

jiwanshakti · 11-19-2019, 10:32 AM

Yes many rewinds are expected...

I've started working my way through all the videos. They are really excellent. Clear, good pacing, easy to follow, and the list/grouping of videos makes it easy to understand which one you might want to jump to next if not going in serial order. I bought the manual awhile back and it's a great reference, but the videos are a lot easier to follow. I think I avoided them in the beginning because I've seen so many truly awful video instructions in the past, but I wish I'd started on these on Day 1 with Reaper. Thanks Kenny...