Unnatural behavior of Monitor Input modes

[talustalus]

When you want to monitor an input without recording it, the logical choice would be to simply set the monitoring mode to 'Monitor Input' (without needing to record-arm the track).

What I've found in Reaper is that the track needs to be record-armed for the input to come through. Sure then you can select 'disable record' while the track is still monitored so it doesn't record - but where's the logic in still needing record-arm to be active?

Have I got this wrong? . . .


Thx.

[ChristopherT]

All we need is a "i" button, and that would solve this.

When I want to record I want a record button.
When I want to monitor input, I want a monitor input button.

And I want to be able to glance over a project and see what tracks are on monitor input (hence the input buttons)
Currently I need to select the record button to know if I am monitoring input.

Drives me nuts when I have external midi and audio coming into Reaper that I am monitoring, but I do not want to record until later.

How are others dealing with this?

[Edgemeal]

Arm for record, then right-click the arm button, select,
"Record: disable (input monitoring only) or whatever it is.

[talustalus]

Originally Posted by Edgemeal

Arm for record, then right-click the arm button, select,
"Record: disable (input monitoring only) or whatever it is.

You are right...but then the tracks are still 'record-armed' and it's confusing.

Plus, there is no indication of a track that's record-disabled (at least on the theme I'm using) so I can't visually determine which tracks will and won't record when I hit the Record button.

[ChristopherT]

Edgemeal - But I still need the red record button on to monitor?

Meaning record light is on - but I am not recording...
Probably the most confusing record feature I have ever come across on a DAW

But I suppose I am used to every tape machine I have ever used has a monitor input switch/light - (the record button was for record)

Every other software I have ever used: the record button was for record
And decades on ProTools with a input switch (and red light record - means record).

Its been ages since I used Cubase - but from my recollection, the record RED light simple meant: Record

On big projects where I am constantly loading up different Reaper sessions, with lots of red light "record" buttons enabled (for monitoring inputs)
- it is a huge PITA to go through and check everything, so I can overdub without recording the tracks that are on monitor input.

sigh.... the red record means "maybe" it will record, maybe it is record disabled, maybe the red light is just on to monitor.

ALL of this silliness would be solved with a "i" monitor input button.

[Edgemeal]

I use default theme, shows IN and recording disabled on those buttons...

[ashcat_lt]

1) Do you often play things that you don't want to record WHILE recording other things? Else it's a moot point. Don't hit Record unless you want to record.

B) Why not just record it anyway? MIDI recording is practically free and even audio is pretty cheap nowadays. Don't want to keep it? Delete it. If it just accidentally happens to be the best thing you've ever played, though, then you've got it and don't have to try to re-record it.

Like, this literally never comes up for me. I've never used "record disabled" and don't see any good reason I would.

[talustalus]

Originally Posted by ChristopherT

All we need is a "i" button, and that would solve this.

When I want to record I want a record button.
When I want to monitor input, I want a monitor input button.

And I want to be able to glance over a project and see what tracks are on monitor input (hence the input buttons)
Currently I need to select the record button to know if I am monitoring input.

Drives me nuts when I have external midi and audio coming into Reaper that I am monitoring, but I do not want to record until later.

How are others dealing with this?

My suggestion is: The monitoring mode options available are perfectly fine and no additional ones are needed - just their behavior needs to change.

MONITOR INPUT should perform the function that an 'I' button would. That is, inputs are monitored regardless of whether a track is record-armed.

MONITOR INPUT (AUTO TAPE STYLE) should remain exactly as is.

Currently, the tape style is only when you want to hear the input while the track is stopped OR while its recording. i.e. not while it's playing.

So the logic is, if someone wants to hear the input while playing along only - the track does not need to be record-armed, and therefore MONITOR INPUT alone could fulfill that function.


In summary... make 'monitor input' mode do its thing also when a track is not record-armed. Leave 'auto tape style' as is. That would solve it.