Hi, I'm new to Reaper having just moved on from Cubase (since around 1994, I think, sniff). I'm learning a lot, and having to re-learn much of my accumulated knowledge from the past 25 years.
I thought I'd post a solution to a problem I was having, and I'm sure others would have come across a similar issue in the past.
The goal: Live performance and split track MIDI recording on one keyboard with split key zones. I need the sustain pedal to work in both zones but it wasn't initially. Here is how I resolved it.
- Set your keyboard to output on midi channel 1
- Add a VST instrument track for the low end listening on midi channel 2
Screenshot
- Add a second VST instrument track for the high end listening on midi channel 3
- A 'Key split' track listening on midi channel 1
- Add some FX VSTs to the Key split track:
- Firstly if you don't have it, grab the excellent Piz midi scripts from here (https://www.thepiz.org/plugins/?p=pizmidi) or using the Reaper package manager if you prefer:
- Add the VSTi: midiKeySplit (Insert Piz Here) and set the first Out channel to 2, the second Out channel to 3 and ensure the In channel is set to 1
Screenshot
- Add the VSTi: midiConverter3 (Insert Piz Here) and listen for Input Param 1 as CC 64, Channel in as 1. Set Output Type to CC, Out Param 1 to CC 64, Channel out to 2 and Thru to Thru all
Screenshot
- Add another VSTi: midiConverter3 (Insert Piz Here) and use the same settings except the Channel out to 3. (You can copy and paste this VST to save some effort.)
- Configure your sends on the Key split track:
- Send to your low end instrument track and set MIDI 2 -> All
- Send to your high end instrument track and set MIDI 3 -> All
Screenshot
- Set the Record: output mode on both instrument tracks to Record: output (MIDI)
Screenshot
- Set the Record: output mode on the Key split track Record: disable (input monitoring only)
- Ensure that Record monitoring is set to on for the Key split track
Screenshot
- You might need to set your virtual instruments to accept input and return output on the correct channels. This is specific to the VSTi so I can't help you there.
- Arm record mode for all three tracks and you're done
Now a number of things should work:
- You should be able to play both instruments live using your single keyboard with the split set to wherever you like
- The sustain pedal should work for both instruments (I had troubles getting this working, hence this guide)
- If you choose to record your playing you should see MIDI events (including Sustain CC 64) separately for each of the low and high tracks
Screenshot
I hope this guide is helpful to someone. It took me long enough to work all this out, so here's hoping it saves someone else some time.