Reaper Tutorial - How to Set Up Hardware Synths (MIDI/Audio)

[@riffsthatrule]

If you are having any trouble getting things hooked up properly, check this video out. It covers how to connect your hardware and also, how to make sure it’s communicating properly with Reaper👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIbCZ3p_jJebY8Usi=vMDsJiCAITxTPgMB

[@TheGuitarDudeSteve]

Man, thanks so much for posting this. I had Minitaur a few years ago that I ended up selling (although I loved it!) just because I could not for the life of me figure out how to getting it working consistently with Reaper in Windows. In the end I just went back to plugins. But I've recently switched to a Mac mini setup and I was considering trying the Minitaur again, you just convinced me!

[@riffsthatrule]

@@TheGuitarDudeSteve Awesome!!! Love hearing that. Glad you found it useful! If it helps you further, I do film scoring and almost exclusively use my hardware synths over software ‘cause of how seemless it all is to record them

[@checkmatenate]

The reaper community is top tier man!

[@riffsthatrule]

Totally agree! So cool to see everyone coming together to help each other out and solve any issues people may have

[@zero.the.prototype]

Thank you for the fantastic reference and instruction! For other viewers: I struggled with my synth until i checked the midi routing table and realized it expected note information on channel 3 so be sure to check that if stuck and just used channel 1. Thanks again! Mustve watched it eight times this week, and it was never annoying, always helpful. ♡♡♡

[@riffsthatrule]

Hey, of course! Glad it was helpful for you and not annoying haha🙌

[@WalterSawan]

This just saved my little home studio!!! Man... i have struggled finding any information on this. Thanks so much. I have liked and subscribed!

[@WalterSawan]

I have a midi hub and this will definitely work with channel settings to get all of them working.

[@riffsthatrule]

Awesome! Glad you found it helpful and thanks for the support!🙏

[@paigeandderson]

You are the greatest instructor! Subbed

[@riffsthatrule]

Thanks so much man! Much appreciated🙏

[@soundofthegardenwatc]

thanks for making this video bro.

[@riffsthatrule]

Of course!🙏 Hope you got something out of it

[@marekkocon7407]

It’s 7 am and I’ve got that sucker syncyn’. Thank you. Very helpful vid. All the best from Warsaw, Poland 🇵🇱

[@riffsthatrule]

Awesome! I’m glad it was helpful. Cheers🍻

[@janjoshika]

Well explained, I had to add my soundcard in using Ctrl-P, got my external gear working with the virtual keyboard.

[@riffsthatrule]

Thank you!🙏 Glad to hear you got things workin’

[@drcool56]

Well this is the video I waited and waited… Kenny and others are good but they’re not into hardware synths. So no one really explained MIDI that way before!! I feel that I have lost at least 10 years of my recording life 😂😂😂😂. Thanks again!!!

[@riffsthatrule]

Haha I had the same issue and when I finally figured it out I thought, I bet other people have trouble with this too. So I decided to put it out there. Really glad you found it useful🙌🙏 Also, I might do one about hooking up mixing hardware soon too.

[@Sparks95]

you're a knowledgeable man. subscribed.

[@riffsthatrule]

Thank you! That’s much appreciated🙏

[@hydrashock]

Awesome, thanks man! Simple explanation and works!

[@riffsthatrule]

Thanks man! Glad you found it helpful🙌

[@MAXERNEST]

Thanks for this ,all the best from Old England ,i have subscribed as well :}

[@riffsthatrule]

Of course! Hope you found it useful and thank YOU! Much appreciated🙏

[@StrilliVanilliDrums]

Came for the shirt - stayed for the education. Thanks, mate. :D

[@riffsthatrule]

Haha awesome! One of the best games of all time. Thank YOU and hope you got something out of it!

[@StrilliVanilliDrums]

@@riffsthatrule Yeah, I just recently started my journey into the synthesizer world and this will come in handy when I decide to actually record songs. I'll try it soon! Thanks. Love your style, too. It's honest, cool, metal and just no BS. Just straight forward explanation. You rock.

[@riffsthatrule]

@@StrilliVanilliDrums Welcome to the synth community! You’ll love it. Just try not to get addicted to collecting them haha. Thanks a ton! That means a lot🙏

[@StrilliVanilliDrums]

@@riffsthatrule Haha, thanks! ^^ I hope I won't I started with a few old Casios just for the nostalgic feel but now I got my Microfreak and that'll keep me on my toes for quite some time I presume until I figured everything out... ^^ I never answered about Resident Evil 2 though: Hell yes, I also think it's one of the best games ever made. :D

[@riffsthatrule]

@StrilliVanilliDrums Haha for sure! I’ve heard a lot of people like the “Freak” series. I haven’t tried them though. That’s the best way to go though. Learn what you have inside out before getting new ones. I’m a bit guilty of that😂. Oh man, totally! Those first 3 Resident Evil games for PS1 are in my top favorite games of all time! Same the the first 3 Silent Hill games as well

[@drcool56]

Thanks!! How do you plug your synths? USB to computer? ou MIDI CABLE? Will reaper recognize any synth that you plug?

[@riffsthatrule]

Of course! Glad you found it helpful🙌🙏 USB and yeah, reaper auto recognizes them when you connect ‘em. You can always go to preferences - midi devices as well and rename them to your liking and stuff

[@drcool56]

Cheers mate

[@idaho_rex]

I am trying to control my synth (volca bass) with a little Akai USB keyboard. The keyboard is connected via USB and the Volca is connected via USB to 5 DIN. Is there a way to do this without having to buy a MIDI interface? So under MIDI preferences I have the MIDI hardware settings (akai) as input, and USB Midi interface as output, but no dice! Any insight here? Thank you!

[@riffsthatrule]

I have my Minitaur set up the same way. First, you'll want to make sure you have them both "enabled" in the midi preferences menu for input and output if you don't already. Then, you should be able to arm your track for record, click the "In FX" dropdown menu and select "Input: MIDI" then, "All MIDI Inputs" then, "All Channels". That should get you rockin'. Hope this helps and sorry for the late reply!

[@coloaten6682]

Dude. You saved me!!! ✊

[@riffsthatrule]

Awesome! I’m glad you found it helpful🙌

[@unclespooky]

top tips. thanks for sharing the info

[@riffsthatrule]

Anytime! Glad you found it useful🙏

[@aniket327]

Great 🔥

[@riffsthatrule]

@@aniket327 Thank you🙏

[@drcool56]

If I can ask another question... When I record simultaneously MIDI and Audio, I can hear the MIDI obvioulsly at the same volume as played, but my audio volume is ridiculously low. In your vid, it doesn't seem to be the case. What am I doing wrong? Cheers

[@riffsthatrule]

Ask away! To be honest, it’s hard to say without seeing your setup. Could be any number of things: track automation volume, volume on your synth, master track automation volume… have you checked all of the usual suspects?

[@d.jswaheely40]

Excellent video, brother!

[@riffsthatrule]

Thanks man, I appreciate it!

[@sonicneutronic]

I use Ableton but similar principles apply. I tend to bring all my synths in maxxing just around -12db to give myself room and avoid any clipping etc. - is that the same for you when recording to keep? The Prophet 5 need as plenty of tweaking to get it coming in at the right volumes - Its a hot poly synth for sure compared to what I have owned.

[@riffsthatrule]

I usually just make sure nothing’s clipping on the way in but I almost never have a set level that I track at. As long as it’s not lookin’ like a trail of ants or clipping, then I just let ‘er rip lol. Yeah, both the P5 and the Minitaur are on the hotter side for sure but I prefer it that way over having to max the volume out and still need more

[@lazmusic1]

Hi, thank you for your very useful videos. I've watched this and your other suggested video about hooking up external keyboards to Reaper but being someone who stopped making any electronic music back in the 90s, I'm still a bit stuck so I hope you wouldn't mind giving me a bit more advice. I have a Yamaha PF85 which I use as a controller and a Roland SoundCanvas as my sound source. I only have a Roland UM-One USB MIDI interface with one in and one out. How can I have Reaper record my MIDI information, i.e. what I play on the keyboard but play back my chosen sounds from the sound module. I would be very grateful for your advice. Cheers.

[@riffsthatrule]

Of course! I’m glad you’ve found them helpful. If you’ve followed both of the videos that should honestly get you up and running. As long as you’re using usb midi like you said and follow all the steps in both. I set up my synth modules just like how you described, to a master keyboard. As long as your PF85 is usb midi it should be plug and play. Then you would connect your module(s) via 5 pin midi to your PF85 more than likely. If you have a bunch of different modules hooked up then you just select a different midi channel for each one instead of “all channels” like I choose in the videos. Hope this helps!

[@lazmusic1]

@@riffsthatrule Thank you for your very prompt response. I'll watch your videos again and will have another go. Hopefully I'll get there in the end. Many thanks again.

[@riffsthatrule]

@lazmusic1 Of course! Let me know if you are still having issues and I’ll do my best to help you get it figured out

[@lazmusic1]

@@riffsthatrule Just an update regarding my initial enquiry (anybody who hasn't got anything better to do with their lives can check it out above - it's really basic), I eventually managed to hook up my gear, by connecting the Out of the MIDI-to-USB adaptor to the out of my controller keyboard and the In of the convertor to my external sound source. This makes sense as you send your messages, i.e. what you play to the DAW and to listen back to your masterpiece, with the sound of your choice, you receive the MIDI messages back from the computer. Great, it works. However, I still have a problem. What you record in this way is just MIDI information and not actual sounds. In your video you create three tracks, on one of which you record the MIDI information and on the other you kind of bounce the MIDI track as audio; and I don't understand what the first track is used for. Would you be so kind to explain the routing of the signals from the MIDI to the audio track? Many thanks indeed. 😊

[@riffsthatrule]

Glad to hear you’re making progress! As far as the routing goes, that’s all covered in the video but the third track at the top of the group just acts as a folder to group the tracks together to keep things nice and organized. If you’re recording lots of layers, things can get messy real quick so I find using folders really helps.

[@XenoTheProtogen]

What am I doing wrong? I can get the MIDI working but when I set the audio section to input 1 it just playback my laptop microphone sound (my voice) and I can't hear the synth.

[@riffsthatrule]

Just make sure you choose the input that your synth is plugged into. What interface are you using and how many inputs does it have?

[@teodorstoychev20035]

Hi there!I’m fairly new at REAPER.What i noticed is that when i run the workstation it has no sound at all and this has been happening the last few times when i run REAPER. Everything was fine before that.I’ve watched some videos but unfortunately none of them helped me.I have no audio interface. If you know something about my situation i’ll be glad if you share it with me.Thanks in advance!✨

[@riffsthatrule]

@@teodorstoychev20035 Unfortunately I’m not too familiar with running things without an interface so I don’t really have any tips for you there. That is weird though that you did have things working but now they’re not…

[@victorguzman9000]

Dude i am struggling and i feel this is the closest I have got. I am recording my midi but I cant hear what is being played or what has recorded. Any clue what I can search or how to fix this? It is stressing me out i dont even want to attempt to make anything anymore lol

[@riffsthatrule]

Haha I hear you. It’s definitely frustrating when things aren’t working. Have you followed the steps from the video to a T?

[@cjcurcio]

Thanks man!

[@riffsthatrule]

Of course, thank you! Hope it was helpful

[@soundofthegardenwatc]

can i change the sound in my triton through reaper or my midi board?

[@riffsthatrule]

@@soundofthegardenwatc That’s a good question. To be honest, I’m not familiar with the Triton so I won’t be of much help there

[@soundofthegardenwatc]

@@riffsthatrule appreciate it

[@lambertfooks7358]

Thank-you!

[@riffsthatrule]

Of course! Hope you found it helpful🙌

[@shilondavidson6202]

Hey it doesn’t show my mini freak as an output option it’s usb and connects to my computer but won’t work

[@riffsthatrule]

This may help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIbCZ3p_jJebY8Usi=9zhOKOopW42bh4OM

[@bingobaz6402]

I understand why you want to keep the midi. But i woild rether keep playing the part and keep recording it until i get it exactly how i wish. I realise the midi you can move the notes if you make a mistake..but i just want to record the audio then quantize it. Is that possible? Thanks.

[@riffsthatrule]

If I’m understanding your question correctly, no, that wouldn’t work because your audio you’ve recorded wouldn’t match the midi exactly if you later wanted to go back and tweak a patch

[@bingobaz6402]

@riffsthatrule thanks for getting back. The thing is i want to use the software essentially as an AUDIO recording device. The situation I have a yamaha MG10xu USB mixer. I have one mic and using 3 synth inputs and another 4 using the xlr Inputs with boutique synths. I want to plug my mixer as an audio interface and simply record audio from my moxer to the software. I don't want to be bothered about midi data. I just want to purely record audio. Record one part from one synth (audio) into reaper, hit quantize...then move on to another synth and record the audio directly from the synth to reaper and hit quantize. etc. I don't want to use the midi. I only want to record from usb audio. Thanks again.

[@bingobaz6402]

@riffsthatrule let me explain I want to record a certain way. I don't want to edit the Midi file. Instead I would just physically play the sequence I want until I get it exactly how I want it. Then move on to the next part. I don't want to be bothered about the midi information to sort it later as I would already have it recorded the way I want. I am simply trying to find out surely the midi information isn't essential if you only want to record your audio directly from synths? As said I would just keep recording as many takes as it takes to get it the way I want, then move on to the next sound and sequence etc. I simply want to record the audio and don't want to be bothered about midi information some because it would be neater on the timeline. You see I never used a Daw I usually record onto my yamaha ex7 on board sequencer but thinking I should get into daw. But don't see why I need midi if I only want to record the audio file. Surely I can just record the audio directly from my usb mixer and then quantize?

[@bingobaz6402]

@riffsthatrule my apologies for another comment. I simply want to record a sound say piano through usb audio and hit quantize, then record bassline, hit quantize and so on. I won't need to edit it later on as I would keep recording it over and over until I get it the way I want it and just hit quantize then move on to next part. So I won't need to edit it later on through midi. So surely the midi ain't essential? You see I am not using vst plug ins and I never will because of lack of audio quality...I don't believe for a second a vst plug in can sound anywhere near as great as having the synth audio plugged in directly. I am using actually hardware, actual synths.

[@riffsthatrule]

Yep, I use hardware synths as well. As per your prior comments, if you’re not going to record or use midi at all, you can definitely just record the audio only by itself. Only thing, is that you can’t quantize audio per se, you’d have to either play it exactly how you want it or edit it. Hopefully this helps

[@brettsimmons4459]

Hey Dude great video keep up the good work! but could you do a companion video showing how to physically connect everything together? I.E How is usb connected to and from! Midi cables To And From! and Audio Cables to And From Etc!! I think it would be a great help to people trying to set up there hardware synth like this ! many many thanks in advance if you could please do this i am sure it would be of great help to myself and others too!! Thanks Brett

[@riffsthatrule]

Thanks Brett! I appreciate you🙌🙏 I’ll definitely make that video happen and I have a couple other Reaper tutorials in the pipeline as well.

[@brettsimmons4459]

Thank you very much! looking forward to seeing them ! and also a big thank you for taking the time to reply, not everybody does! and i am sure what ever help you can give myself and others it will be greatly apprieciated! take care due and keep on rocking!!@@riffsthatrule 🤘🤘

[@riffsthatrule]

@@brettsimmons4459 Of course man! I’m glad you get something out of the videos🙏🙌🤘

[@emphryio]

I had this working before but didn't save. Here I am again with minitaur not showing up as a routing option. Because I turned it off. When I turn it back on I have to go back into options/preferences/midi devices and reset.

[@riffsthatrule]

Try to select the 3 tracks after you follow the steps and “Save tracks as template” then you just pull that template up everytime and you’ll be good to go

[@MusicalWizardryMarcoIannello]

Check it! Loved the snap at the end 😂 By the way, what about having multiple external synths configured and ready to play at the same time?? 😀

[@riffsthatrule]

Hahaha I forgot to say, “Check it” just before though😂. If you have two inputs on your interface like I do then you could have two monos set up and ready to go or one stereo. Pretty much, the more inputs on your interface, the more you can have hooked up and ready to go. Then you would just choose the corresponding input on each track to match. Check it😂

[@MusicalWizardryMarcoIannello]

@@riffsthatrule that is correct, but what about MIDI? Like, if you have hw synths that send on all of the 16 MIDI channels?

[@riffsthatrule]

@@MusicalWizardryMarcoIannello Easy. Just select whatever synth/synths you’re trying to record from the MIDI input drop-down menu and then choose all channels (only on the target synth. Not all channels on all MIDI inputs) that way you’ll be able to record multiple synths at the same time as well if you’d like.

[@MusicalWizardryMarcoIannello]

@@riffsthatrule check it

[@andivax]

Thanks. But using ReaInsert is better. One track for vst editor and ReaInsert. Plus a script for realtime render.

[@riffsthatrule]

I’ve used Reainsert before and have had some latency issues with it so I’ve not tried this with hardware synths yet. I’ll definitely look into it more though. Thanks man🙏

[@Ancaja123]

Can ReInsert record (and display on the timeline) both midi and audio information?

[@riffsthatrule]

@@Ancaja123 I believe so but in order to do that, you have to create a second track for the audio as far as I know. For that reason, I’d still recommend setting things up how they are in this video. Also, I couldn’t never get the latency quite right with reaInsert and with the method I use in the video, that’s also not an issue.

[@paulb8340]

i have just seen this i couldnt find how to record midi sounds why why why ??is it so hard ??..this i will check out and try for myself it looks achievable ...cant understand why its not all over the yu tube world so thanks

[@riffsthatrule]

Of course and thank you! I’m glad you got something out of it🙌🙏

[@TheJethrobull]

Hi. Great tutorial here, but I personally find it much quicker and easier to use Reainsert.

[@riffsthatrule]

Thank you! Much appreciated. I’ve not tried Reainsert with Hardware synths but I wasn’t huge on it when I tried it with my other hardware. Are you able to record the midi and audio simultaneously with it?

[@TheJethrobull]

Yes, sure. It's exactly how you set it up but the Reainsert is kinda the virtual patchbay. The thing I like the most is the way I can save a hardware synth as a drop down preset. 👍

[@riffsthatrule]

@@TheJethrobull That’s awesome! I’ll have to give that a shot

[@FirstLast-nr6gf]

Looks complicated. In Bitwig I only have to create single hardware instrument track and select midi and audio ports from 2 dropdowns. To record or sample an external instrument I can bounce one or more regions / clips on the track.

[@riffsthatrule]

You can use one track in Reaper as well by using the plugin, “Reainsert”. I’ve found it can give some latency issues though so I just stick to the method in the video. Once you save the template, you don’t have to set it up again so it’s pretty smooth as easy from there

[@danieljones1782]

you roove

[@riffsthatrule]

Haha no, YOU roove!

[@jhonesreece4946]

Hello bro you Can make a tutorial on Reaper

[@riffsthatrule]

Thank you!🙏 Hope you found it helpful

[@jhonesreece4946]

@@riffsthatrule ok fine

[@emphryio]

But it doesn't record sound, it's playing the moog but the sound isn't going back into reaper. So on to other videos or maybe I guess messing around in options/preferences. Thanks anyway.

[@riffsthatrule]

Sorry you’re having issues getting it working again. You followed the steps to a T?

[@crhkrebs]

I have 9 external synths, of varying ages and Midi capabilities, including a modular system. I use this way to record them all within Reaper. I would recommend you try to duplicate the actions in the video again. You have done something wrong on your end.

[@andybside]

I have no routing icon. It just says fx instead of route Edit: Nevermind. It's only on my channel strip, not the track up top.

[@riffsthatrule]

As long as you’re setting this up like I did on the TCP (track control panel) you should be able to see the routing button. Also, sometimes you may need to expand the size of your tracks for the routing button to become visible. Hope this helps!

[@larrytolson4135]

All I have is a trim button. No routing button.

[@riffsthatrule]

@larrytolson4135 If you have the mixer open you won’t be able to see the routing button in the TCP(track control panel). Try closing your mixer when you need the routing button and you should be set👍

[@maydaygoingdown5602]

Why cant they just simply make it like other daws such as Ableton etc where you simply add Audio track and just use inputs of your audio interface?? If this was added i would putchase, but this method is just crap and to time consuming in comparison to other daws.

[@riffsthatrule]

I hear you. Some other people in the comments have brought to my attention that you can use the Reainsert plugin on a single track and apparently it’s much easier. I’m gonna investigate and probably make a video on it soon