How to filter out pitch wheel MIDI?

Lophophora · 04-29-2018, 09:15 PM

Hi,

This is a frequent issue with MIDI controllers, especially this device that I have (AKAI MPK49): the pitch wheel range starts to drift away from its original values, resulting in an unusable instrument that plays off pitch.

While I'm looking for a hardware solution (likely buying a new, non-AKAI unit), I need to filter out the MIDI sent by the pitch wheel. I know there are a bunch of MIDI plugins in Reaper but after trying a few of them I haven't been able to find how to do this. Can you help?

EvilDragon · 04-29-2018, 11:18 PM

You'd load one of those MIDI filter JS FX as input FX on a track, so they apply before recording.

horneusz · 04-30-2018, 02:17 AM

I have the same problem and use "MB MIDI Event Filter2". I insert it as the first effect in a chain:

EvilDragon · 04-30-2018, 02:39 AM

Are you inserting it in Input FX, though? Because that's the only way things will record with MIDI events filtered (unless you set recording mode to Record: output (MIDI), but in this case you might have a bit of latency added).

Lophophora · 04-30-2018, 03:00 AM

Sound good, but I can't find this plugin anywhere. Isn't there a way to do this with one of Reaper's native plugins? Or do you know where I can get this plugin?

horneusz · 04-30-2018, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lophophora

Sound good, but I can't find this plugin anywhere. Isn't there a way to do this with one of Reaper's native plugins? Or do you know where I can get this plugin?

See attachment

horneusz · 04-30-2018, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvilDragon

Are you inserting it in Input FX, though? Because that's the only way things will record with MIDI events filtered (unless you set recording mode to Record: output (MIDI), but in this case you might have a bit of latency added).

I use it as the first FX on the track before VST, I don't put it in Input FX. For me it works as it should.

Lophophora · 04-30-2018, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horneusz

See attachment

Thanks, but it doesn't work for me. Is it designed to work on Windows? The file extension isn't recognized by Windows.

EvilDragon · 04-30-2018, 07:58 AM

It works on both OSes. You need to put this plugin along with all other JS FX that get installed by Reaper (they are in Reaper's resource path).

horneusz · 04-30-2018, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lophophora

Thanks, but it doesn't work for me. Is it designed to work on Windows? The file extension isn't recognized by Windows.

1. Open Command Prompt with your keyboard: WINDOWS+R
2. Type: %appdata%
3. Find REAPER/Effects or REAPER/Effects/pitch folder
4. Move the JS Script there.

Lophophora · 04-30-2018, 08:35 AM

Thank you so much! This is a lifesaver.

EpicSounds · 04-30-2018, 09:32 AM

I have the same problem and this is what I did about it (PitchWheel Control Center JSFX)

https://reaperblog.net/2018/01/pitch-bend-control/

Reason · 04-30-2018, 12:37 PM

I have the same problem with my M-Audio Axiom 61, and I employed a workaround on the unit, by setting the min and max values to 64 (or maybe 63, I forget if it's 1-128 or 0-127). This makes the wheel unusable for its intended purpose, but it fixed the issue where it would make the entire keyboard unusable for note entry.

In my case, the keyboard appears to be unfixable, so I figured might as well nip the problem there, rather than further downstream.

Time Waster · 04-30-2018, 05:20 PM

As this seems to be a common problem, I've created a simple JSFX to block pitch bend messages. No controls. Just put it in the FX chain before your virtual instrument:

https://stash.reaper.fm/v/33482/PitchBendBlocker.jsfx

Lophophora · 04-30-2018, 11:10 PM

Awesome guys, thanks again.

jojo5ound · 12-15-2020, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reason

I have the same problem with my M-Audio Axiom 61, and I employed a workaround on the unit, by setting the min and max values to 64 (or maybe 63, I forget if it's 1-128 or 0-127). This makes the wheel unusable for its intended purpose, but it fixed the issue where it would make the entire keyboard unusable for note entry.

In my case, the keyboard appears to be unfixable, so I figured might as well nip the problem there, rather than further downstream.

Hi,
same issue with axiom pro 61,
Tx for the tip
It helps for note entry but it still spitting constant pitch bend value so still annoying when trying to learn any midi control.

Maybe we can suggest a Reaper feature request with possibility to apply some filtering or even use midi jsfx at MIDI device level instead on per track

jrk · 12-15-2020, 09:12 AM

I have a crap little M-audio keyboard here which got into the habit of spitting out random pitch bend so I just opened it up and disconnected the pitch wheel.

Global or device level midi fx would be really useful.

mschnell · 12-15-2020, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lophophora

the pitch wheel range starts to drift away from its original values, resulting in an unusable instrument that plays off pitch.

I never came across such issue.

ReaPack -> Midi Mapper X can add an offset to the pitchbend value and this should solve the problem for the time being, while your pitch wheel is still usable.

-Michael