SWS: Go to/play Region (obeys smooth seek) HELP!

[themixtape]

Hi guys, I'm trying to get this to work right, but it's not fully working right.

Say I have three loops I want to use in a song... and trigger them with a MIDI pad, with my drumstick.... they loop indefinitely, until I hit another pad, and then once it reaches the end of that loop, it goes to the one I triggered.

This works perfectly, however...

I'm able to retrigger region 2, 3 and 4.... so each time I hit the pad, it IMMEDIATELY starts the loop... not waiting for the other loop that was playing, to finish.

If I trigger Region 1, it works fine... it plays through the full loop in Region 1, and it will not go to the next one I trigger, until it finishes playing the region (which is what I want). But if it's playing Region 2, Region 3, or Region 4, when I hit any of the "Go To/Play Region" pads... it immediately goes to them, and re-triggers immediately.

I can't wrap my head around it. Using Reaper 4.6, 32-bit.

This usually works, but not today! It's basically acting like Markers... which immediately play when you use a pad or keyboard shortcut for that Marker... I don't want them to work like Markers, as I need time to trigger the next loop I want (for live performance/jamming with a friend).



Thanks for any help!



Btw, Region Playlists don't work... when it triggers the 2nd and 3rd loop (this might have something to do with the problem, by the way)... it glitches and gets "stuck" repeating a millisecond of the start of the loop, on Regions 2 and 3. I've tried using different loops, etc... same problem. Have no idea why.

I've also tried keeping the loops separated (with a bar in between), and tried putting each loop on a different track, but that doesn't work either. Same retriggering thing happens.

[themixtape]

I've set the midi trigger pads to Custom Actions:

SWS: Go To/Select Region 01 (pad 1)
SWS: Go To/Select Region 02 (pad 2
SWS: Go To/Select Region 03 (pad 3)
SWS: Go To/Select Region 04 (pad 4)

This works with Reaper 4.71, but not with 4.60... I just tested it out with a different (Portable) Reaper install. Problem solved, basically. So guys, if you have any problem with this, update to 4.71 or later....

Thanks!

[nolman]

weird, trying to do the same and when i run go to select region 1, it selects and puts the cursor ready, but when it switches it starts playing the project from the beginning.
Can you try to not put your regions at the start of the project to see if you have te same problem ?

[themixtape]

I tried as you suggested. No problems here, EXCEPT (haha)....

On this computer (I have two computers running 4.71 now)... this one, if it's playing Region 3 and looping it... if I jump to Region 1 or 2, the cursor just passes Region 3 and plays silence... it's ignoring the command, even though the pointer (the down arrow on the ruler/timeline) is ready to play Region 1 or 2... it doesn't.

Not happening on the other computer... same version, same loops.

Weird.

EDIT----- I know why. It's because there were loops after Region 3 (about a minute of silence)... if the last Region is the last thing in the project, it won't continuously play when you try to jump to earlier Regions. Also, it is recommended that each Region is back-to-back with the other Regions.

[themixtape]

Ok, I'm annoyed yet again.

If Region 1 is playing, and I jump to Region 3, it plays Region 2 in between.

If Region 2 is playing, and I jump to Region 1, it plays Region 3, before Region 1.

Why is this so close to working, but not working?

Thanks guys,
Chris

[themixtape]

Ok, the only way to reasonably do this is to use the Actions:

SWS/S&M: Region Playlist - Play Next Region (smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Region Playlist - Play Previous Region (smooth seek)

And assign two MIDI pads to both these commands.

So basically, if I have 4 regions...

I hit pad 1 to play region 1... it loops infinitely (as specified in my Region Playlist)... and then I hit pad 4 THREE TIMES (to advance to Region 4)... as soon as Region 1's done playing, it jumps to Region 4 and loops that infinitely, and so on. Have to hit pad several times...

REQUEST--- for Standing Water Studios...

Any way you guys could make Actions that work just as above (with the Region Playlist) but have up to 16 Actions, for Regions 1 through 16... as in, going directly to 1, or 13, or 16... by hitting any of the 16 MIDI pads/buttons? This way, if I want Region 10 to loop, after Region 4 is playing, I won't have to hit the pad 6 times, to jump to Region 10? And likewise, if I want to go to Region 2, after Region 10's playing, I don't want to hit 8 times (previous)?

Example:
SWS/S&M: Region Playlist - Play Region 1 (smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Region Playlist - Play Region 2 (smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Region Playlist - Play Region 3 (smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Region Playlist - Play Region 4 (smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Region Playlist - Play Region 5 (smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Region Playlist - Play Region 6 (smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Region Playlist - Play Region 7 (smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Region Playlist - Play Region 8 (smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Region Playlist - Play Region 9 (smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Region Playlist - Play Region 10 (smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Region Playlist - Play Region 11 (smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Region Playlist - Play Region 12 (smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Region Playlist - Play Region 13 (smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Region Playlist - Play Region 14 (smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Region Playlist - Play Region 15 (smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Region Playlist - Play Region 16 (smooth seek)


I think this would be extremely, EXTREMELY helpful for those of us who would love to use Reaper in a live or jamming setting, as I do.

THANK YOU!!!

[wol]

Is this the behavior you are looking for?
https://stash.reaper.fm/21524/regions.gif

I got it with custom actions like this:
"SWS/S&M: Go To/Select Region x"
"Regions: Go to region x after current region finishes playing (smooth seek)"

[themixtape]

I don't think that's going to work... I'll try it in a sec

[themixtape]

Wait... this might work, indeed. Cool!

[themixtape]

Originally Posted by wol

Is this the behavior you are looking for?
https://stash.reaper.fm/21524/regions.gif

I got it with custom actions like this:
"SWS/S&M: Go To/Select Region x"
"Regions: Go to region x after current region finishes playing (smooth seek)"

Wait, how would I make the custom action? Like this?

SWS/S&M: Go To/Select Region 1
SWS/S&M: Go to region 1 after current region finishes playing (smooth seek)

SWS/S&M: Go To/Select Region 2
SWS/S&M: Go to region 2 after current region finishes playing (smooth seek)

SWS/S&M: Go To/Select Region 3
SWS/S&M: Go to region 3 after current region finishes playing (smooth seek)

SWS/S&M: Go To/Select Region 4
SWS/S&M: Go to region 4 after current region finishes playing (smooth seek)

?

[themixtape]

Ok, I did it like that (my previous post) and it looks like it works. Thank you!

However....

I only have 4 regions, still!

I would like to use more than 4 regions... preferably 8-10!

This Action: "Go To/Select Region x" only goes up to 4, even though this Action: "Go to region x after current region finishes playing (smooth seek)" goes all the way up to 40!

SO CLOSE!!!!

[themixtape]

What I don't understand though, is my original Actions/MIDI pads... (without using Region Playlist)... now work the same way as these new Actions I made!! They actually skip right to Region 3 (from 1), etc. This wasn't doing that, before. I have no idea why. Maybe with my new shortcuts (which are assigned to new MIDI pads)...?

[vanhaze]

Chris,

I just tried some actions as in attached screenshot.

They work for me without a problem ...

I am on OSX 10.9.4 , Reaper 4.72 (64bit).

[themixtape]

Appreciate it, Vanhaze, but this isn't exactly what I need... I need for the regions to loop infinitely until I jump to another. We're definitely on the right track but ideally, I just want more than 4. I'd love to have 16 total Actions, or the ability to combine (like mentioned above), with Go To/Select for anything more than 4.

If I could somehow get into the code (if it's easy enough) somewhere, to add up 12 more "Go To/Select Regions", that would be perfect, haha.

[wol]

Close Reaper and in S&M.ini change this S&M_GOTO_SEL_REGION=4 to the number of actions you need.

[themixtape]

Originally Posted by wol

Close Reaper and in S&M.ini change this S&M_GOTO_SEL_REGION=4 to the number of actions you need.

How many times can I thank you for this? And thank the incredibly wonderful Reaper community, and Justin, for his vision.

God, every day I use Reaper, and every day I love it more. Incredible.

[wol]

lol

[timbralzoom]

sir!..also i want to thank you sir!

[lexaproductions]

Originally Posted by wol

Close Reaper and in S&M.ini change this S&M_GOTO_SEL_REGION=4 to the number of actions you need.

Three years later, I ALSO salute you. You have no clue the impact of this statement will have on my current live gig...

Thanks

[themixtape]

Thank you all for this superb thread.... this is so incredibly useful, live

<3

[mschnell]

Originally Posted by wol

Close Reaper and in S&M.ini change this S&M_GOTO_SEL_REGION=4 to the number of actions you need.

Originally Posted by themixtape

Thank you all for this superb thread.... this is so incredibly useful, live

Does anybody know exactly what the exact definition of "S&M_GOTO_SEL_REGION" ?

In the source code on GitHub:
{ "SWS/S&M: Go to/select region %d (obeys smooth seek)", "S&M_GOTO_SEL_REGION", GotoAnsSelectRegion, 4, SNM_MAX_DYN_ACTIONS, NULL},

So this seems to be something like a number of selectable regions and not a select for something like different modes. And "4" seems to be the default, now (Reaper 5). I do see "S&M_GOTO_SEL_REGION=4" in my S&M.ini where I never changed something like that.


-Michael

[themixtape]

I believe it is the ACTION:

"Go to / select Region # (obeys smooth seek)"

When you change the number from 4 to whatever (up to over 200), it shows a bunch of actions in the actions list... for example, if you change 4 to 11...

SWS/S&M: Go to/select Region 1 (obeys smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Go to/select Region 2 (obeys smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Go to/select Region 3 (obeys smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Go to/select Region 4 (obeys smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Go to/select Region 5 (obeys smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Go to/select Region 6 (obeys smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Go to/select Region 7 (obeys smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Go to/select Region 8 (obeys smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Go to/select Region 9 (obeys smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Go to/select Region 10 (obeys smooth seek)
SWS/S&M: Go to/select Region 11 (obeys smooth seek)

[mschnell]

Ah Thanks ! This does make sens.
This will be useful !
-Michael

[mschnell]

BTW (I'm just a lurker, here, right now):

Are there also action do play a region jut once (not in a loop) from start to end, at best with "not smart seek" i.e. selecting another region would abort the running one ?

Something like that would be the solution for a request for remote controlling "backing tracks" discussed recently. (In that thread using multiple Tabs had been suggested, what IMHO would be rather inappropriate.)

(see e.g. -> http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.p...85#post1859185)

-Michael

[kabas]

I could not find the s & m.ini file on my mac

[anubis]

Originally Posted by wol

Close Reaper and in S&M.ini change this S&M_GOTO_SEL_REGION=4 to the number of actions you need.

Be thanked and saluted in 2020 also.

By the way, it looks like there is no use for a custom action anymore because:

"SWS/S&M: Go To/Select Region XXX"

is now: "SWS/S&M: Go To/Select Region XXX (obeys smooth seek)"

[TonE]

mixtape to which number did you change it? 99 would make it something like Notators 99 patterns from Atari ST. I have to test this with your recent tip how to use those smooth region looping.

I imagine using as follow would make it like 99 scenes of "Ableton Live" session view. Each region will be considered a scene, e.g. if each is 1 bar long, you would have 99 bars reserved for these scenes.

Then after bar 100 you can start recording based on what is now playing... so copying always from looped region to the arrange behind it, as long as you wish, and you can mute tracks while looping and all these muted would be recorded as well, so in effect all like in Live's session view, if not better. And this part is already possible, I did it in the past. If the smooth region loop switching is work, that would complete that feature, nicely.

[themixtape]

I modified the ini to give me 40 regions total. I rarely need more than 16!

[TonE]

I see thanks for the quick response.

[Gribble]

Originally Posted by TonE

mixtape to which number did you change it? 99 would make it something like Notators 99 patterns from Atari ST. I have to test this with your recent tip how to use those smooth region looping.

I imagine using as follow would make it like 99 scenes of "Ableton Live" session view. Each region will be considered a scene, e.g. if each is 1 bar long, you would have 99 bars reserved for these scenes.

Then after bar 100 you can start recording based on what is now playing... so copying always from looped region to the arrange behind it, as long as you wish, and you can mute tracks while looping and all these muted would be recorded as well, so in effect all like in Live's session view, if not better. And this part is already possible, I did it in the past. If the smooth region loop switching is work, that would complete that feature, nicely.

I agree that Reaper is surprisingly good for 'scene'/loop arranging, when you use the scope of custom actions and mapping to the keyboard/midi hardware.

I've taken a slightly different approach to building up scenes - custom actions to append a new 16 track (sent to a keyboard workstation, or individual VIs as needed) loop of x bars to the end of the project, either empty, or copying through items on selected tracks in the current loop. It creates a region for the new loop so you can jump the playhead back to play or record more as needed. I love the flow of this, and it's easing the pain of not having a full clip launching view..

[themixtape]

Dumb question... I'm trying to make up to 64 regions.... the S&M.ini file is easily editable... but I have a custom action that includes this action, which gives me the functionality I need for looping...

Regions: Go to region xx after current region finishes playing (smooth seek)


My question is... which ini do I need to modify to change THAT Action's maximum? Right now it's a maximum of 40. And I have an idea where I need 64 total (obviously involves Launchpad X / Launchpad Mini MK3 / Launchpad Pro MK3).

Thanks guys!

EDIT: Welp, there's no need to do custom actions anymore... as Go to/select Region xx (obeys smooth seek) does everything I want (and you can have a LOT in the S&M.ini file... I think they said 200 total)... as long as the Preferences are set correctly:

put a tick mark in the option--- Do not change playback position immediately, and you can then choose

"play to next 1 bar..." or
"play to next project marker, end of current region, or start of next region before seeking"

It works perfectly, as a single action, with either of those options. As long as you have your main loop/repeat on. My custom action combined that, plus "go to region xx", etc... and it worked without that tick mark... which is what I thought, was the only way to do it. Nope. Sweet.

Amazing.

[juliuskrakow]

anybody knows how to make an action to click on a region and have that region play after the current one, obeying smooth seek? using existing actions i can't seem to be able to puzzle a custom action together that does this.

[lexaproductions]

If you out the smooth week resolution to « next region » in the preferences than wherever you click on the timeline will seek after the current one.
Juste make sure you have seek on cursor change enabled.

[juliuskrakow]

ahh thank you. preferences. who would have thought to look there. the trees and the forest...

[lexaproductions]

You can change this programmatically depending on the context

[Terror Firma Sky]

Is there a way to do this where it ignores smooth seeking? I want it to go to whatever region I select immediately and start looping without waiting for the current region to reach the end.

[7enz]

Originally Posted by Terror Firma Sky

Is there a way to do this where it ignores smooth seeking? I want it to go to whatever region I select immediately and start looping without waiting for the current region to reach the end.

from what i recall... concerning regions the obey seek will always kick in after the end of a bar,beat etc...
immediate region switching where the playhead position remains relative to the next switched region is not possible with the current implementation of SWS regions menu...its been a while since ive used it..
that all said...i work with VST's like maschine...which have type of functionality, which can be seen in this video from 5:45 onwards,
the regions or scenes as its called are basically on maschine which switch upon recall and then do so relative to the position of the looping playhead
be aware maschine is a completely alone software but has a VSTmode which is really useful

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCAsDWCyoSM

[lexaproductions]

If you make a custom action with a « Transport play » after the seek action, it will occur immediately.