Tutorial: Reaper as live VST host with SWS Live Configs

[godly]

Hi fellows,

As promised, I'd like to present you my findings in how I've setup Reaper as Live host with Live Configs. I've been working with other Live Host on Windows 8.1 the last year, did some 30 gigs, but got some crashes or some bugs. Needles to say this is problematic in live situations. So I decided to switch over to Reaper.


The benefit of Reaper: it has a surprisingly low latency and the stability is very promissing! The memory footprint is very low and startup very quick.
Downside: You have to puzzle it all together and the GUI loading is slow, plus some practical problems to solve.


http://i.imgbox.com/GlIv8mrM.jpg


Here's the YOUTUBE video also :) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5skCsvJ7vE4&feature=youtu.be)

Here's the complete Reaper 4.71 x86 download file with my project, if it can be of any educational help:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6IRANt2Lk4dODBWX3BkeGFvMTQ/edit?usp=sharing
(any help on how to export the sws settings and other template stuff for download is welcome)

We will add great extra functionality with the extra plugin SWS, which you can download and install from here: http://sws.mj-s.com/ (find the manual here www.standingwaterstudios.com/reaper/REAPERPlusSWS171.pdf (http://www.standingwaterstudios.com/reaper/REAPERPlusSWS171.pdf))
It contains the Live Config by Jeffos, which is a handy tool and preset selector for live uses. You can find an older manual here http://sws.mj-s.com/download/S&M_LiveConfigs_Ed2.pdf

Live configs permits users to easy arrange the playlist and select from your music keyboard with an assigned midi rotary.

I'll try to explain step by step, because I know when you start of, it's not that simple. :)


This simple setup tutorial is for live vst FX chains to be used as a synth module. Just select the preset and song as you would on a real synth. I have no special settings for songs or tracks to play along or extra actions. I also don't have an audio input tracks here, but it's the same practice to add.

Here we go:


This setup works on Reaper x86 version only, as the windows are bridged in x64 , snapshots don't remember the positions of the FX.

I assume you know how to install and where to find the SWS panels from the menu. Easiest way is to set all the panels floating, such as Mixer, master track, custom toolbar, etc,...

Start by adding all your tracks you will ever need and add the FX to it. Put up as many tracks as instruments (FX chains) you will be using. Add colors for easy recognition. This is because adding or deleting tracks will affect all snapshots and give problems.
http://t.imgbox.com/TEDDhS2P.jpg (http://imgbox.com/TEDDhS2P)
Build up your FX chains in the tracks.
In my case this is a track FX chain: Keyboard split FX (see below) + synth + extra reverb effect.
To create keyboard splits, zones and filters: I've used KX Midi Filter. (it has so many practical functions in 1 plugin)
Just put it in front of your FX you'd like to split or filter the cc. There are other good JS scripts also for this.

Download (http://kx77free.free.fr/English-contents.html#download_plugs) Kx-Midi-Filter
VSTi to filter Midi data (only Midi In and Midi Out, no audio).

Remark:
I used MBfilter2 and Midi Note Filter EX instead of the above Kx Midi Filter, because there's a bug with the sustain (keeps on sustaining)
http://stash.reaper.fm/5171/MB_Filter2_1.0.zip
http://stash.reaper.fm/v/7305/midi_note_filter_ex
We will be using the SWS snapshots to remember the FX chains, FX presets, FX locations, mixer settings etc.

These are my settings:
http://t.imgbox.com/SmiNPAig.jpg (http://imgbox.com/SmiNPAig)

You can always easily save a new version of a snapshot by click+Ctrl on it. To delete, click+Alt
http://i.imgbox.com/g2xBwEgS.jpg (http://imgbox.com/g2xBwEgS)
Show/hide/bypass the tracks you need, you can use the Track Manager for this:
http://t.imgbox.com/hZSajEqM.jpg (http://imgbox.com/hZSajEqM)
Use Screensets to switch between Live and Edit modus.
Load and save your screensets from the menu or assigned keystrokes.
I've created 9 buttons to show/hide the mixer, track manager, snapshots, Live configs and monitor panels. I've added also 2 screensets: Hide and Show the panels. (plus a save screenset 2 button for the live view, since my main window is hidden in the corner)
http://i.imgbox.com/shVlfuRt.jpg (http://imgbox.com/shVlfuRt)

Switch between Live and Edit screenset modus: (don't mind the song name)
http://t.imgbox.com/4ZLo5sAG.jpg (http://imgbox.com/4ZLo5sAG) http://t.imgbox.com/nTN3Ag1t.jpg (http://imgbox.com/nTN3Ag1t)
Put the vst's floating in place where you would like to see them, for that particular song. Save your snapshot. (Save: Ctrl+click, Del: Alt+click on the snapshot)
Preferably you will be showing only some FX windows per song. (you probably want to hide the split FX or other)
Since SWS snapshots does not remember the floating or docked state of an FX, you can hide unused FX in the right corner. (I also have hidden my main window in the right down corner in the Live Screenset.)
http://t.imgbox.com/o88WMOY3.jpg (http://imgbox.com/o88WMOY3)
In Live Configs (LC), we will determine which song uses which snapshot. Very simple. No input track, no defined track or presets or other actions. (see the recommended LC settings on bottom Notes)
Just add the snapshot number in the actions column in the LC panel. (click the cell to open the actions window, choose Recall Snapshot X as action, click again the cell, click again the action to add)
You can copy/cut/paste rows in LC also for easy organizing of your playlist.
http://i.imgbox.com/evTX0tS7.jpg (http://imgbox.com/evTX0tS7)

You can show the monitor panel on top of your screen, click the button on the LC panel (double click the monitor window to show the preloaded next preset):
http://t.imgbox.com/zrKhZ955.jpg (http://imgbox.com/zrKhZ955)
Direct selection of the presets: On my Midi keyboard I assigned a midi rotary knob fixed on channel 1 (so I can still switch channels, because the Learn function uses a fixed midi channel) to select the current song. (see Learn function on the Live Configs panel) This is an absolute rotary, the number you dial is the Live Configs you select. (0-127)

I've set the switch delay to 1000ms. Switching goes smoothly. Reaper is a bit slow to build up the vst GUI's, but it's no problem since the sound comes first and has no glitches.

Preload selection of the presets: Alternatively you can choose to preload a preset with the rotary and push an other controller button to confirm it to load. Select the Swap/load Life Config command from the keymaps panel (NOT via Learn, Apply Life Config X)

From the actions panel:

assign a button: SWS Live config 01 - Apply preloaded config (swap preload/current) (choose absolute en soft takeover!)
assign a rotary: SWS Live config 01 - Preload next config


Preload on the rotary and confirm load on the button:
http://i.imgbox.com/4fkxLtED.jpg





I still need to find a way to change the tempo BPM settings for every song, since tempo is defined for the whole file, you cannot change it with the SWS snapshots. Maybe there are some actions that can do it?

If you have different LC setups, please add you screenshots here. It would be very interesting to see users their live setups and best practices. If somebody is interested, I'm willing to share my project file here also. It would be great of other share their files also. As a starting point of course.

Let me know if it works for you.


* Notes:
The Live Configs Recommended settings:
6) Important recommendations

REAPER > Preferences > Audio > Close audio device *…+: all disabled
→ We want to use the audio engine whatever happens
REAPER > Preferences > Audio > Buffering > Allow live FX multi processing: enabled + set the proper number of CPUs
REAPER > Preferences > Audio > Playback > Run FX when stopped: enabled
REAPER > Preferences > Audio > Track mute fade: set the 100 ms there
→ The tool obeys this preference when it activates configs (smooth switching)
REAPER > Preferences > Audio > Do not process muted tracks: enabled
→ CPU savings when the Live Configs’ option “mute all but active track” is enabled
REAPER > General > Maximum undo memory use: 0 (i.e. undo disabled)
REAPER > Main menu > Extensions > SWS Options: disable everything there
Audio/MIDI plugins: if you face some issues, contact the author for a bug fix. no fix => quarantine (I personally do not advice bridging buggy plugins: some features of the Live Configs like preset switching will not be supported).



UPDATES LOG:

KX midi filter has a bug with the sustain pedal keeping on when once pressed, looking for a better solution
Looking for a way to change the tempo without running reaper (or a macro to 1. select snapshot 2. play/stop region )
I've found a way to not directly or delayed switch the program, with LC you can choose to preselect it and when pushing an other controller button confirm it to load.

[vitalker]

It's incredible! But can you make a video with switching between the configs?

[godly]

It's incredible! But can you make a video with switching between the configs?

If I know what software to use for it, yes :]

[vitalker]

If I know what software to use for it, yes :]
For example, http://www.cockos.com/licecap/ or http://sourceforge.net/projects/camstudio/?source=directory

[godly]

Ok, let me try Camstudio tonight :-)

[heda]

the beauty of Reaper.
:)

[godly]

Vitalker, I made the video :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5skCsvJ7vE4&feature=youtu.be

[Halma]

...

I still need to find a way to change the tempo BPM settings for every song, since tempo is defined for the whole file, you cannot change it with the SWS snapshots. Maybe there are some actions that can do it?

...

Not quite sure if it works but perhaps you could use tempomarkers and "jump around" via some marker actions?

http://wiki.cockos.com/wiki/index.php/Tempo_manipulation_with_SWS

and

http://wiki.cockos.com/wiki/index.php/Tempo_mapping_with_SWS


Btw nice and detailed write up. Thx for this. Very inspiring.

Regards
Sebastian

[vitalker]

Vitalker, I made the video :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5skCsvJ7vE4&feature=youtu.be
Wow wow wow, godly! Really interesting, but could you play on the disco with reaper?

[foxAsteria]

I think you can only change bpm during playback (no direct actions). I also need playback to send bank change messages so I just have reaper running during live use and navigate between items and/or regions to change songs, which loads my notes (s&m), changes the bpm, and even loads the appropriate keyboard patch onto my microkorg. pretty snazzy. Just gotta remember to mute my backing tracks.

[Halma]

Just wanna add that I really appreciate your work. Obviously you have spend lots of time in configuring stuff and setting up the needed actions. I am in a "similar" position right now.

After years of regular use of DAWs as my production playground (mostly default layout mixed up with customized stuff but nothing gamechanging) I am swlowly changing my complete GUI and Reaper behaviour. I have unbound all mousemodifiers and shortcuts and starting from scratch right now. Eg I think I finally found some nice window behaviour I can live with in Reaper. It is still in very early development but feels somehow pretty tight even at this early stage.

I am very impressed with your detailed setup. This one helps me a lot in trying out some new stuff I have not even thought off. I like how you mixed up various Actions, how you arranged your stuff and how everything behaves.

Kudos for sharing it with us. If I find the time I will do something similar but I am pretty short on time due various other projects and life.

Will definitely subscribe to this thread.

Regards
Sebastian

[godly]

Thx so much my friends for all the loving words ! :)
I've put some work in it indeed, I hope it works out and I can use it for some years. Reprogramming all the stuff takes so much time and when it's useless a bit frustrating...

I'm still trying to find out these things:
- how to run different actions in 1 action in SWS LC (Live Configs)
- the tempo thingy,... so there's no other way than running
- can I start running reaper between some markers to automaticly start stop a song with actions?

This all would be handy, so when I switch to a setup via LC and press play, it changes the tempo, runs some intro or mp3 playback...

All input is welcome :) Please share the knowledge, I'd love to get reaper running on stage.
I switched back last concert to Intone, which is ok, but hangs after a while (think some plugin issues). And I kinda miss the fast way that the vst gui's are loaded. Is there a way to get this fixed in Reaper? That would solve allot. Or do I need to ask for a feature request?

[godly]

Btw, I've found a way to not directly or delayed switch the program, with LC you can choose to preselect it and when pushing an other controller button confirm it to load.

[godly]

I think you can only change bpm during playback (no direct actions). I also need playback to send bank change messages so I just have reaper running during live use and navigate between items and/or regions to change songs, which loads my notes (s&m), changes the bpm, and even loads the appropriate keyboard patch onto my microkorg. pretty snazzy. Just gotta remember to mute my backing tracks.
I'm not sure PooFox (is that correct,haha)...
Are you using different files for every song, or 1 file with all the programs (songs),...? And do you work with regions or so to jump to?

[garubi]

Godly,
thank you for your detailed post and video!
I'm just now experimenting with Reaper in live gigs and your suggestions are very welcome!

Stefano

[godly]

Godly,
thank you for your detailed post and video!
I'm just now experimenting with Reaper in live gigs and your suggestions are very welcome!

Stefano
Let us know what works or doesn't for you.

[foxAsteria]

I'm not sure PooFox (is that correct,haha)...
Are you using different files for every song, or 1 file with all the programs (songs),...? And do you work with regions or so to jump to?

yes different files per song, but one long one with regions could work too. the items are actually the recordings, all on one track which i practice to and then mute for live use. I have another track with only program/bank items, but i plan to consolidate using free item positioning on a single track.

i was using sws region manager to choose and loop regions, but had to set up macros to get certain other behaviors. i prefer selecting items directly so i can have my item notes update on on item selection change.

so now i just switch between items with bpm markers at the starts. the macros turn on repeat and set the loop to the item to prevent next songs loading too soon if we played slowly.

note that if you want to switch items on a track that's not selected you need the sws "across tracks" item select actions.

i also use a midi controller and cycle actions (to select tracks directly by name via console commands) to arm/unarm tracks whenever i need to switch fx chains (each chain on it's own track, all tracks using the same input).

switching presets live scares me. plugins can crash then, but selecting and arming tracks is very safe. plus there's usually a bit of delay during the switch and effect trails get cut off. so i arm and unarm tracks with different chains instead of muting them or switching fx presets in order to preserve delay and reverb tails when switching.

btw i think we might need an FR for switching banks and bpm outside of playback. might exist already tho...

[godly]

Hm, one long with regions,... doesn't that mean you have to 'run' the song?
I'm not sure that's possible with SNS-LC ?
Also, Can you have a group of actions, macros, to start stop songs or play regions?

[XITE-1/4LIVE]

Bookmarked and thank you.
Currently have an excellent real time set up using Bidule, but automations are definitely needed as we are quite raw.
Hopefully these vids will help out as I read about Live configs, but it seemed too complicated and live, that becomes a nightmare sometimes.

Thanks Again

[godly]

Bookmarked and thank you.
Currently have an excellent real time set up using Bidule, but automations are definitely needed as we are quite raw.
Hopefully these vids will help out as I read about Live configs, but it seemed too complicated and live, that becomes a nightmare sometimes.

Thanks Again
Bidule looks intresting, but to complicated in a big setup?
http://anonemusic.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/liveRig_img/bidule/bidule.jpg

I will try the LC tonight on the rehearsal.
Only complaint I have is that the interfaces load so slow, sound goes quicker...

[XITE-1/4LIVE]

I meant Live Configs being too complicated, that's why I appreciate your videos, as I might start using Reaper as a host again.

Bidule is a walk in the park.
You can import MIDI files and do what most DAWs do as it is basically a live performance DAW that uses very little resources to host VSTi's.

Right now I use Silentway Suite, Kontakt and PTeq 5.
Everything else is racked up analog synths, and the XITE-1 DSP rack for effects. modular synthesis and mixing.

Reaper can host the VST version of SWS, Bidule and Kontakt with great reliability, and I have used it live before.

Just recently though I went to more of a live raw improv group, where realtime parameter modulations is more important than automated static arrangements.

But all good things come to an end, and I know eventually I will need to use Reaper again.
Cubase is a dog live, as is Logic, especially if you are using all MIDI and not pre recorded music.

If I had to use pre recorded audio I would much rather get some life sized cut outs of the band, set them behind the instruments and sit at the bar drinking and flirting with the waittail cocktresses.

Thnaks again for the vids, and let us know how LC works out for you.

[godly]

First rehearsel worked ok yesterday, if not for the KX Midi Filter plugin, it has a bug I guess. When I kick my sustain pedal, it keeps sustaining.
First I thought it was the pedal that was broken, but after switching with an other one, I found out that the KX plugin was the cause. I checked the midi IO on the filter, and that works ok. Disabling it solved the prob.

Pitty, because I really like that KX Midi filter, since it's very complete.
You can set the midi split note range, velocity range, sustain (on or of) and the program change on/off. (Very handy if you switch channels my controller sends the PC also allong, so I had to filter that out). And has a midi IO window.
I contacted the programmer of it, hope to have some response soon.

I guess will have to add 2 midi filters plugins, probably JS. That midi note filter extended (if it had PC on board, I would be helped with it alone) and an other one for the PC.

Any suggestions on good split and filtering plugins?

[Halma]

First rehearsel worked ok yesterday, if not for the KX Midi Filter plugin, it has a bug I guess. When I kick my sustain pedal, it keeps sustaining.
First I thought it was the pedal that was broken, but after switching with an other one, I found out that the KX plugin was the cause. I checked the midi IO on the filter, and that works ok. Disabling it solved the prob.

Pitty, because I really like that KX Midi filter, since it's very complete.
You can set the midi split note range, velocity range, sustain (on or of) and the program change on/off. (Very handy if you switch channels my controller sends the PC also allong, so I had to filter that out). And has a midi IO window.
I contacted the programmer of it, hope to have some response soon.

I guess will have to add 2 midi filters plugins, probably JS. That midi note filter extended (if it had PC on board, I would be helped with it alone) and an other one for the PC.

Any suggestions on good split and filtering plugins?

Insert Piz Here (http://www.thepiz.org/plugins/) has one of the most complete MIDI bundles (http://www.thepiz.org/plugins/?p=pizmidi) out there (plus some more stuff that´s maybe not contained). But can´t recommend anything specific because it´s a lot and I am trying to find stuff that works for me too.

Regards
Sebastian

[godly]

Yep looked at Piz, but nothing ReaFx can't do, right?

[godly]

Anybody knows what Js this is?
I can't find it?
http://stash.reaper.fm/v/3654/FilterDialog_MIDI_Generic%20Filter.png

[foxAsteria]

Hm, one long with regions,... doesn't that mean you have to 'run' the song?
I'm not sure that's possible with SNS-LC ?
Also, Can you have a group of actions, macros, to start stop songs or play regions?

I wouldn't do it that way but you could. yes. you can select and play regions directly and you can have reaper stop at the end of a loop. I haven't needed LC thus far... we do still need a way to send midi data without running the song tho... also don't forget about smart action markers.

I use the ix midi filter that comes with reaper. its talked about in the manual. not sure the exact name now.

[godly]

I wouldn't do it that way but you could. yes. you can select and play regions directly and you can have reaper stop at the end of a loop. I haven't needed LC thus far... we do still need a way to send midi data without running the song tho... also don't forget about smart action markers.

I use the ix midi filter that comes with reaper. its talked about in the manual. not sure the exact name now.
Thx, indeed yes that would be handy.
So how do you run several SWS commands in a macro?

[godly]

I've found out you can create actions in actions, so that should be possible.

[godly]

First rehearsel yesterday. Works fine. Only thing is the loading time for the VSTs is to long. As said, the sound is first, so no problem. But still you can get confused because of the slow loading of the GUIs.

Is there a way in Reaper to have the GUIs in memory loaded?

[foxAsteria]

Is there a way in Reaper to have the GUIs in memory loaded?

don't think so, but you can load everything up ahead of time, even tab multiple projects.

but i had a show with reaper last week and the problem i ran into was the all the MIDI gear lost connection after being on stage a few hours and i had to go through a long full reboot and make everyone wait.

not sure why that happened as i don't allow usb to power off or anything like that. reaper had a bunch of question marks in place of the normal MIDI devices.

was weird cos reaper decided to rescan all the vst's, so very long reboot. i was freaking out a bit...

[foxAsteria]

Thx, indeed yes that would be handy.
So how do you run several SWS commands in a macro?

well i've been moving completely over to SWS cycle actions instead of reaper's custom actions. way more control, but still not quite enough. so honestly, i'll probably move on from there to scripts pretty soon...

you know how to do custom actions right? they're made in the action dialog and execute in order (top to bottom). sws cycle actions allow for creating more complex macros like toggles where there are none, multi-step actions or conditional actions (if, then, else, etc). also supports using console commands. very good stuff.

stopping at the end of the loop is a preference under the "playback" tab.

[godly]

Yes, I've seen that option to add multiple actions in a row.
Are the SWS actions in the same way ?

Strange behaviour from the midi. So you clearly had a crash.
I know those horror moments on stage :D
Last year I used Intone Keys, I like that program, simple and effective, but it crashes after a half a concert. Pitty is that the settings and the project file which is in XML, is saved when closing the program. So every time it crashed that file was damaged. No fun on stage :D
Oh, there was also a problem, when disconnecting a USB port the laptop rebooted. Fun Fun :D
Those problems are strangely solved (W8.1 update?)

That's where I learned to keep multiple versions of your files :D

[foxAsteria]

yea, the multiple files lesson is a painful one everyone usually needs to truly understand the importance...usually only takes the one time though.

sws actions are just like regular ones. do not fear the force...

anyways, I blame the laptop. gonna try a win8 tablet soon.

honestly I kinda hate relying on computers live. never gone smoothly. and its kinda distracting. last show I stared at the screen in a trance half the time.

[godly]

yea, the multiple files lesson is a painful one everyone usually needs to truly understand the importance...usually only takes the one time though.

sws actions are just like regular ones. do not fear the force...

anyways, I blame the laptop. gonna try a win8 tablet soon.

honestly I kinda hate relying on computers live. never gone smoothly. and its kinda distracting. last show I stared at the screen in a trance half the time.
Maybe we should try Mac, I don't hear many complaints from the Mac guys. Only thing that makes me doubt is that windows has more vsts available. The AU format is less supported.

[otofo]

Thank you for your tutorial godly. This has helped me enormously in my quest to easily switch VST sound patches via my MIDI controller in live performances.

New forum member, new to Reaper, new to playing live w/ MIDI controller (M-Audio Oxygen 61) thru laptop/VSTs. Learning curve pretty steep for me. New terminologies, new concepts, etc. Overall I have made great progress just getting to the point of playing my keys reliably thru the house mains! But am still stumped at certain aspects.

Currently have a few confounding issues I am anxious to clear up in this process:

1. I was hoping to use the row of buttons below the sliders (labeled c18-c25) to switch sound patches, much like on more traditional electronic keyboards. i.e., be able to press a button for my piano VST, and press another in the middle of a song to switch to my synth lead VST, etc. Some VSTs evidently have these buttons already pre-programmed to control settings in the VST. In the "Actions" window I was able to map the buttons to recall my various snapshots, but in certain VSTs the buttons revert to controlling settings within the VST instead of my desired reult of recalling another snapshot. Is there a way to override these? Temporarily I am using the six transport buttons to switch my sounds but was hoping to be able to program more than six presets.

2. The VST image displays onscreen when switching to that VST (recalling that snapshot) but does not remove itself when switching to another snapshot. They end up piling up on the screen, one on top of the other, requiring me to manually shuffle thrue these with the mouse to display the current one. Is there a way to have the VST display remove itself from the screen when switching to another?

3. Sometimes, when switching sounds (recalling another snapshot) an unrequested note will play. I have to hit the panic button to turn it off. Still trying to find out if there is a pattern to this that might point to a possible cause.

I am using Reaper v4.62 with my M-Audio Oxygen 61 controller to control 10-12 VSTs in live performance situations. Not using it for recording, composing, sequencing, etc. (Yet!)

[godly]

Hm, I updated to 4.71 and everything is mixed, all GUI windows open and the SWS select bij CC isn't working anymore...
GRRRRR
And I can't revert to 4.62 (tried replacing the ini and config files)
I have a concert on monday...
HELP

[godly]

The (pre)select Live config assign isn't working as it was before !!!
Apply Life config loads the number of the assigned button so that is 0 - 127 :-/ and it doesn't load the preloaded Life config.

[foxAsteria]

did you try reinstalling sws? that sux man.

i kinda remember having to reassign some shortcuts after that update. i think it changed some of the action id's or something.

[godly]

did you try reinstalling sws? that sux man.

i kinda remember having to reassign some shortcuts after that update. i think it changed some of the action id's or something.

Yes I just reinstalled.
I assigned a rotary 0-127 to preload.
And a button for Apply (which outputs 0-127)

That's very handy, because life, you can preselect the next song with the rotary and then hit the button to apply.

But now the apply sends the CC value also, so it selects number 0 or 127.

[godly]

I checked all the action keymaps for life config,
I think this setting has changed with 4.71 (or the key actions relative or absolute have changed?)

Where can I add a bug report?

[godly]

I submitted a bug report on the forum here.

Anybody intrested in the settings?
I want to share my files, but which ones would you need to have all the above settings?

[godly]

Ok, I've found the prob.

Regarding the snapshots not keeping their positions:
Seems that the x64 version is bridging the windows, so they don't keep their positions on screen.
I switchd back to x86 (just overwrote my reaper files) and all works fine again !

Me happy, because I have a concert tomorrow and was worrying crazy !

I updated the tutorial.

[godly]

On general request,

Here's the complete Reaper 4.71 x86 download file with my project, if it can be of any educational help: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6IRANt2Lk4dODBWX3BkeGFvMTQ/edit?usp=sharing

[godly]

I've used the setup now for several concerts and on the rehearsals and it seems fast enough and stable. Only thing you don't want to do is switch quickly from one to another LC preset, because that slows up everything. But luckily doesn't crash Reaper.

Just take your time when you select a preloaded LC preset.

[godly]

1. I was hoping to use the row of buttons below the sliders (labeled c18-c25) to switch sound patches, much like on more traditional electronic keyboards. i.e., be able to press a button for my piano VST, and press another in the middle of a song to switch to my synth lead VST, etc. Some VSTs evidently have these buttons already pre-programmed to control settings in the VST. In the "Actions" window I was able to map the buttons to recall my various snapshots, but in certain VSTs the buttons revert to controlling settings within the VST instead of my desired reult of recalling another snapshot. Is there a way to override these? Temporarily I am using the six transport buttons to switch my sounds but was hoping to be able to program more than six presets.

Try using the Preload LC on a absolute rotary (0-128?)
and assign a button to Load/Swap the LC preset? (you can also use next / previous assignations from the keymaps menu.


2. The VST image displays onscreen when switching to that VST (recalling that snapshot) but does not remove itself when switching to another snapshot. They end up piling up on the screen, one on top of the other, requiring me to manually shuffle thrue these with the mouse to display the current one. Is there a way to have the VST display remove itself from the screen when switching to another?
Yes, see the tutorial. You need to hide them in the bottom of your screen.
Or maybe you're on x64, worried me also like crazy and I found it it was because of the bridged VSTs, see some posts earlier here.


3. Sometimes, when switching sounds (recalling another snapshot) an unrequested note will play. I have to hit the panic button to turn it off. Still trying to find out if there is a pattern to this that might point to a possible cause.
Yes, I encountered it also. Don't know why, and the setting to reset All notes of is active in the LC window.


I am using Reaper v4.62 with my M-Audio Oxygen 61 controller to control 10-12 VSTs in live performance situations. Not using it for recording, composing, sequencing, etc. (Yet!)
Let me know how it works for you :)

[godly]

ANybody knows how I can export my settings for LC?

[M4dM4tt]

Hey fellow reaperians!

i just wanted to share how i am running reaper as guitar stomp box amp sim and fx mixing engine. it works like a charme for me except the fact that we have no big display to see where we are in the song (presets).

here's my setup:
1.just add and route anything you need like you would for a production (cut a bit on the fx maybe if you dont own a powerhorse of a laptop for the stage)
try to use as few different effects (for example delays) as possible. rather alter your favorite one through automation or an additional effect after it (bit crusher flanger over the delay or whatever)if you need a special effect.

2.set a tempo marker at the beginning of the song and create a region.
name the region after the song (or after the preset if you want) color the region! :) so it stands out a bit.
create markers at every spot you have automation changes (only square automation makes sense if you dont play back during performance)
name the markers as presets (if you didnt do that with the regions already

3. use actions like "go to next/previous marker" or "select next/previous region" followed by "go to start of loop"
add the desired midicontrols to your actions (i'm on a fcb1010 and for example use another action to control the master volume)
__________________________________________________ _______
thats the setup i'm goin for right now using the same amp and fx over several songs all in one project.
i started today with that

before, i was using guitar rig in reaper but for each song a different project instead of regions (you can open them one after the other(must be done by doubleclicking in the your file browser to get the new song in a tab instead of replacing the project already opened))
worked fine as well and i was stunned that the inactive tabs dont seem to use resources at all.
just use another action to switch between project tabs(songs)


let me know what you think of it and if somethings unclear just ask.


now i come to my request (maybe we could get the devs to do that hack!! :))
if we could have a freely window resizeable window that shows the current(where the timelinecursor stands) region name in big fat letters backgrounded by the set region color and optional underneath the name of the current marker you've got all you need for a live situation!!! :)

i don't think thats much of a problem to do...?

another option would be the be able to vertically resize that small bar where regions and markers are displayed so it goes from top to bottom of the screen if so desired. the font size of the given names should auto scale then. same effect. but i think version 1 is easier to implement without fucking things up.

what you guys think about the idea?

cheers,
Matt

[111]

Hey fellow reaperians!

i just wanted to share how i am running reaper as guitar stomp box amp sim and fx mixing engine. it works like a charme for me except the fact that we have no big display to see where we are in the song (presets).

here's my setup:
1.just add and route anything you need like you would for a production (cut a bit on the fx maybe if you dont own a powerhorse of a laptop for the stage)
try to use as few different effects (for example delays) as possible. rather alter your favorite one through automation or an additional effect after it (bit crusher flanger over the delay or whatever)if you need a special effect.

2.set a tempo marker at the beginning of the song and create a region.
name the region after the song (or after the preset if you want) color the region! :) so it stands out a bit.
create markers at every spot you have automation changes (only square automation makes sense if you dont play back during performance)
name the markers as presets (if you didnt do that with the regions already

3. use actions like "go to next/previous marker" or "select next/previous region" followed by "go to start of loop"
add the desired midicontrols to your actions (i'm on a fcb1010 and for example use another action to control the master volume)
__________________________________________________ _______
thats the setup i'm goin for right now using the same amp and fx over several songs all in one project.
i started today with that

before, i was using guitar rig in reaper but for each song a different project instead of regions (you can open them one after the other(must be done by doubleclicking in the your file browser to get the new song in a tab instead of replacing the project already opened))
worked fine as well and i was stunned that the inactive tabs dont seem to use resources at all.
just use another action to switch between project tabs(songs)


let me know what you think of it and if somethings unclear just ask.


now i come to my request (maybe we could get the devs to do that hack!! :))
if we could have a freely window resizeable window that shows the current(where the timelinecursor stands) region name in big fat letters backgrounded by the set region color and optional underneath the name of the current marker you've got all you need for a live situation!!! :)

i don't think thats much of a problem to do...?

another option would be the be able to vertically resize that small bar where regions and markers are displayed so it goes from top to bottom of the screen if so desired. the font size of the given names should auto scale then. same effect. but i think version 1 is easier to implement without fucking things up.

what you guys think about the idea?

cheers,
Matt

Hello, Matt!
I also want to use Reaper as a guitar processor in live situation. I don`t need automation. But I don`t know how to make Reaper behaving like hardware processors. I mean those which were designed for guitarists, they all have a very convenient system of Banks and Presets. Each Bank could be a song, and Presets in every Bank - all the needed effects for that song. And it should be switched with a Midi-controller with expression pedal (for wah wah or so effect types).
Is it possible in Reaper?
And speaking about an audio interface. How should I connect the signal from a soundcard to stage boxes? Should I use Di-box (smth like Radial Jpc)? And should I connect 2 outputs (L and R) if I don`t need stereo? And if the output is only 1 ( e.g. L) should I pan all my tracks 100% L or not? And that`s all, I believe!

[shabbyroad]

Thank you for the tutorial. I'm preparing a live set (synthpop) which will have audio stems, VST synth and a video track.

So far the only challenge I've come up against is the fact that the Video Window does not "remember" that I set it to full screen on my 2nd monitor.

Workaround (so that I don't have to set the video full screen for every song) is to create a large Reaper session and move across the timeline to each song as I need it. Setup the 'full screen' once at the start and leave it set that way through the gig.

[godly]

Thank you for the tutorial. I'm preparing a live set (synthpop) which will have audio stems, VST synth and a video track.

So far the only challenge I've come up against is the fact that the Video Window does not "remember" that I set it to full screen on my 2nd monitor.

Workaround (so that I don't have to set the video full screen for every song) is to create a large Reaper session and move across the timeline to each song as I need it. Setup the 'full screen' once at the start and leave it set that way through the gig.

Hi Shabbyroad. I use the small windows and set it full screen on my second monitor (the beamer).

[godly]

Hey fellow reaperians!

i just wanted to share how i am running reaper as guitar stomp box amp sim and fx mixing engine. it works like a charme for me except the fact that we have no big display to see where we are in the song (presets).

here's my setup:
1.just add and route anything you need like you would for a production (cut a bit on the fx maybe if you dont own a powerhorse of a laptop for the stage)
try to use as few different effects (for example delays) as possible. rather alter your favorite one through automation or an additional effect after it (bit crusher flanger over the delay or whatever)if you need a special effect.

2.set a tempo marker at the beginning of the song and create a region.
name the region after the song (or after the preset if you want) color the region! :) so it stands out a bit.
create markers at every spot you have automation changes (only square automation makes sense if you dont play back during performance)
name the markers as presets (if you didnt do that with the regions already

3. use actions like "go to next/previous marker" or "select next/previous region" followed by "go to start of loop"
add the desired midicontrols to your actions (i'm on a fcb1010 and for example use another action to control the master volume)
__________________________________________________ _______
thats the setup i'm goin for right now using the same amp and fx over several songs all in one project.
i started today with that

before, i was using guitar rig in reaper but for each song a different project instead of regions (you can open them one after the other(must be done by doubleclicking in the your file browser to get the new song in a tab instead of replacing the project already opened))
worked fine as well and i was stunned that the inactive tabs dont seem to use resources at all.
just use another action to switch between project tabs(songs)


let me know what you think of it and if somethings unclear just ask.


now i come to my request (maybe we could get the devs to do that hack!! :))
if we could have a freely window resizeable window that shows the current(where the timelinecursor stands) region name in big fat letters backgrounded by the set region color and optional underneath the name of the current marker you've got all you need for a live situation!!! :)

i don't think thats much of a problem to do...?

another option would be the be able to vertically resize that small bar where regions and markers are displayed so it goes from top to bottom of the screen if so desired. the font size of the given names should auto scale then. same effect. but i think version 1 is easier to implement without fucking things up.

what you guys think about the idea?

cheers,
Matt

Don't hesitate to put a screenshot here :)

[shabbyroad]

Hi Shabbyroad. I use the small windows and set it full screen on my second monitor (the beamer).

I wonder if you (or anyone else) has a suggestion why my second monitor (the projector) isn't displaying the video correctly?

Here's my setup:

Windows10 (64-bit) laptop (Dell XP12) running Reaper 5.12
on the laptop screen I've got the Reaper application
The video is an mpeg-4 video rendered to 1280x720
I drag the Video Window to the '2nd monitor' but when I set the video to play full screen it doesn't show full screen.
The 2nd monitor (projector) was set to 1920 x 1080 and I've also tried 1280 x 1024 and 1280 x 720


Here is how the video displays (the white image on the left is the desktop background and not the video)

When I play the video in the standalone video player that comes with Windows it will play full screen as expected.

http://i.imgur.com/XTt3ZxM.jpg


Any suggestions on what I might be doing wrong in my setup?

[shabbyroad]

After much searching it looks like I found a workaround by setting both monitors to 1280 x 720

thanks to user MCF http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?p=1629087#post1629087

[shabbyroad]

This week I used repare as my live gig host for stems (backing tracks) and VST soft synths along with a video track. I've setup on Win10 64-bit with completely fresh install and all best practices (wireless devices off, no scheduled scanning, power profile set never to turn off etc etc).

Just as my 2nd song starts Windows crashes to blue screen. A little embarrassing but I made a joke of it with the audience and after a minute or 2 was able to restart. I did notice a it of audio 'skipping' later in the gig but fortunately nothing as severe as a crash.

I'm puzzled as to what could have caused it. I've run the same set almost every evening for a couple of hours over the last 3 weeks with not one issue.

The only difference between my 'rehearsal' situation and the gig is that the laptop was on for maybe 5 hours straight before my set. It was playing video tracks which were being projected while a DJ did their stuff.

Could that have been the issue? The laptop wasn't 'hot' and was well ventilated in what was a reasonably cool room - the stage area definitely wasn't hot.

An engineer type at the gig said it might have been a memory leak from Reaper which over time just brought Windows crashing down?

[aspiringSynthesisingAlch]

Hey fellow reaperians!

...

before, i was using guitar rig in reaper but for each song a different project instead of regions (you can open them one after the other(must be done by doubleclicking in the your file browser to get the new song in a tab instead of replacing the project already opened))
...

let me know what you think of it and if somethings unclear just ask.
...
what you guys think about the idea?

cheers,
Matt

I think you're awesome! Number 3 on the expereapmental projects list!

Re this song opening, via fileexplorer... do you mean you have to use Win.Explorer? Is there batch-input support, so I can group-select all new songs and open them all in new tabs, in one [i]fell[i] swoop

[godly]

I'm making progress with this action.
Any experiences of you guys?

What I want to ask: do you guys have any clue how to clean up the snapshots? seems that they are taking up all the space and time of loading a new preset.

Some presets take way to long (talking about 5 sec or so) and that's to long on stage.

[otofo]

I wanted to add more sound patches (new tracks w/ new VSTs) and set them up same as the existing, with snapshots, and recalling those snapshots in new rows in LC, same as the existing.

Problem is the new patches do not mute when switching to another. Everything I have checked is the same as the older patches that self-mute when switching to another.

Does adding new tracks cause the previous snapshots to not work correctly? Do I need to delete all my previous snapshots and redo them?

[mschnell]

in each "config" (=table) SWS-LiveConfig simply unmutes the selected track (only one) and mutes all those that are mentioned in that table but this one.

To unmute multiple tracks you need to use more than one config-table.

But each table needs to be assigned to listen to a dedicated CC#.

So if you want to unmute multiple tracks with a single midi message, you need to do some programming: Either create a new message (e.g. by means of a JSFX) or use the actions SWS-LiveConfigs can issue when a midi message is acknowledged.

-Michael

[posteriori]

"Preferably you will be showing only some FX windows per song. (you probably want to hide the split FX or other)
Since SWS snapshots does not remember the floating or docked state of an FX, you can hide unused FX in the right corner. (I also have hidden my main window in the right down corner in the Live Screenset.)"

Maybe I'm missing something here...
Is it possible to bypass split fx when I switch to different config?
Sometimes when I use the same vst I do need split, sometimes I don't.
I've tried clicking bypass, saving the snapshot but it doesn't work.
I have to manually toggle the fx on and off.
I'm sure there must be a way to do it via live configs or snapshots but I'm not seeing it.