Virtual Keyboard like in FL Studio?

[2211]

Hello dear Reaper community, I'm new here. I used FL studio for some years and now I switched to Reaper. One thing I noticed and rly miss in Reaper is the ability to play on my computer keyboard notes (for example in Sylenth1 or Nexus). Isn't there any option here to activate that, so I can play around with my PC keyboard when I want create new melodies?
Thx alot.

P.S. I dont want record anything, just play around with melodies.

[EpicSounds]

its in the view menu

[akademie]

yes Reaper has Virtual keyboard (for mouse and also QWERTY keyboard)

- keyboard shortcut Alt+B
- menu - View - Virtual keyboard

Note that input from QWERTY keyboard is only active when Virtual keyboard windows is in focus! (there is also option to allow that input even when not in focus, but I would recommend to use it only after you got more familiar with it)

EDIT: heh, EpicSounds was a bit faster

[2211]

Originally Posted by akademie

yes Reaper has Virtual keyboard (for mouse and also QWERTY keyboard)

- keyboard shortcut Alt+B
- menu - View - Virtual keyboard

Note that input from QWERTY keyboard is only active when Virtual keyboard windows is in focus! (there is also option to allow that input even when not in focus, but I would recommend to use it only after you got more familiar with it)

EDIT: heh, EpicSounds was a bit faster

Thx, but unfortunately it doesnt make any sound/noise.

[EpicSounds]

tracks need to be armed for recording with the MIDI input

[2211]

Originally Posted by EpicSounds

tracks need to be armed for recording with the MIDI input

Thx alot, it worked!

[2211]

But is there no way to avoid switching always from Nexus to the virtual keyboard? In FL that was so much easier. I could always change the preset in Nexus/Sylenth and then instantly play on my keyboard to check if I like the sound or not. And here I have always to change the preset and then switch to the virtual keyboard and then again back to Nexus. That is very annoying and killing the creative process. It makes everything slow down alot, especially finding the right presets/sounds.

[EpicSounds]

right-click in the bottom of the VKB and set option to send all keyboard to it.

[2211]

Originally Posted by EpicSounds

right-click in the bottom of the VKB and set option to send all keyboard to it.

Thx for ur reply, but it doesn't seem to work.

[EpicSounds]

helps to have the plugin window floating instead of inside the fx chain (just a guess) since the fx chain has it's own shortcuts and can take over keyboard

[2211]

Originally Posted by EpicSounds

helps to have the plugin window floating instead of inside the fx chain (just a guess) since the fx chain has it's own shortcuts and can take over keyboard

I had it like that, still not working...

[akademie]

Originally Posted by 2211

I had it like that, still not working...

2211, then I would recommend you to read a Reaper manual (e.g. Chapter 3.30 - Recording MIDI) to get more into it.

Get the REAPER User Guide here
https://www.reaper.fm/userguide.php


And also watch the Kenny Gioia's great video tutorials here: https://www.reaper.fm/videos.php

... and this one is for you - "The Virtual MIDI Keyboard"
https://www.reaper.fm/videos.php#-XTIHV2yLSY

[hopi]

make a custom action like this:

View: Show virtual MIDI keyboard
Virtual MIDI keyboard: Send all input VKB

save it and give it a hot key or put it on a toolbar

it will toggle open or closed the VMK ready to use

On the track you have to set the midi input device to the Virtual MIDI keyboard....

[akademie]

Originally Posted by hopi

make a custom action like this:

View: Show virtual MIDI keyboard
Virtual MIDI keyboard: Send all input VKB

save it and give it a hot key or put it on a toolbar

it will toggle open or closed the VMK ready to use

On the track you have to set the midi input device to the Virtual MIDI keyboard....

! WARNING: But beware, that using this action is not reliable, as it may desynchronize those two sub-actions if you close the Virtual Keyboard window using close "x". Then it will continue to open with opposite toggle status for the "Send all input VKB" sub-action, you know :-(

[hopi]

I use it with no problems but the warning might help others.... for me it lives as an icon on my main toolbar so it just toggles it open and ready or closes it.