Announcing ReaLearn: Sophisticated MIDI/MCU/OSC learn for REAPER

[helgoboss]

Released ReaLearn 2.9.1 (ReaPack installation instructions)

Changes:
- #364 Fixed regression that caused real targets in controller mappings to not work anymore



Released ReaLearn 2.10.0-pre.1 (ReaPack installation instructions)

Changes:
- #350 Added option "Poll for feedback" (enabled by default) to the few targets for which the REAPER API doesn't provide any value change notification or not in all cases (essentially makes automatic feedback work for all targets, also fixes the issue that switching presets from within a FX UI doesn't resend FX parameter feedback)
- #348 Added header context menu options to log incoming/outgoing MIDI/OSC messages (great for debugging)
- #363 Added track selector "All by name" which resolves to many tracks instead of only the first one if the name contains wildcards and multiple tracks match
- Added mapping row context menu option to log debug info for a single mapping
- #350 Improved performance for targets that poll for feedback (e.g. "Track: Peak") by processing and sending feedback only if value actually changed
- #362 Improved reliability by migrating to stable Rust (just an internal change)
- #350 Fixed "nervous motor faders" issue by not sending batch feedback anymore when starting to play or seeking
- #366 Fixed predefined "MIDI: Send" target patterns (7-bit patterns reported to be 14-bit-capable)

Known issues:
- macOS binaries way too large

[RCJacH]

I need help wrapping my head around a setup.

I have multiple VSTi on a track with ReaLearn at the top of the FX chain. I would like to use a CC (let's call this CC1) to control the selection of which VSTi to use, by setting target of all assignment to <dynamic> and disabling all other VSTis. I got this part somewhat figured out.

Now the difficult part, I would also like to have a master, oops I meant main, bypass CC, let's call this CC2. So when CC2 == 1, all VSTis are bypassed, and when CC1 == 0, only the VSTi selected by CC1 is enabled, all other VSTis are still disabled.

I have tried two approaches but yet to achieve the desired result:
1. Use ReaLearn's parameters, by assigning CC1 to p1 and CC2 to p2. However I can't figure out how to use the parameters as source to a target.
2. Use parameters and mapping group. But realized groups only enables the mapping, rather than sending the actual value.

What would be a possible solution to this?

[helgoboss]

Originally Posted by RCJacH

I need help wrapping my head around a setup.

I have multiple VSTi on a track with ReaLearn at the top of the FX chain. I would like to use a CC (let's call this CC1) to control the selection of which VSTi to use, by setting target of all assignment to <dynamic> and disabling all other VSTis. I got this part somewhat figured out.

You seem to have found a solution for this (although I have no idea how it looks) but just so you know: If you want to use "Auto-load preset" function for that, it's currently not possible without focusing the desired FX, see https://github.com/helgoboss/realearn/issues/188.

Originally Posted by RCJacH

Now the difficult part, I would also like to have a master, oops I meant main, bypass CC, let's call this CC2. So when CC2 == 1, all VSTis are bypassed, and when CC1 == 0, only the VSTi selected by CC1 is enabled, all other VSTis are still disabled.

What do you want to bypass? That the note on/off messages reach the VSTi or your controller setting VSTi parameters via ReaLearn? I assume the first. If so, I recommend you to not solve this by enabling/disabling FX in one FX chain but by putting each VSTi on a separate track and then working with ReaLearn's more powerful track targets.

Originally Posted by RCJacH

1. Use ReaLearn's parameters, by assigning CC1 to p1 and CC2 to p2. However I can't figure out how to use the parameters as source to a target.

Not possible by design. Imagine a railway. Parameters are there for setting the course. MIDI/OSC messages are there for driving.

Originally Posted by RCJacH

2. Use parameters and mapping group. But realized groups only enables the mapping, rather than sending the actual value.

What actual value do you want to send? More context please.


**EDIT:** I think I know what you are trying to achieve: Using CC1 to choose the VSTi that you both *play* and *control*. Using CC2 to not *play* and not *control* any of the VSTis. In this case:

1. Put each VSTi on a different track and make them auto-arm (A).
2. Set up one main ReaLearn instance. I assume it's a knob, fader or encoder that transmits CC1 values? In that case, use "Project: Navigate within tracks" as target. If it's prev/next buttons, also use that target but with "Incremental buttons" mode.
3. On each track, put one ReaLearn instance on the top of the FX chain with control input set to <FX input>. Make it control the VSTi on the <This> track as desired.
4. Add a mapping for the CC2 button with "Toggle buttons" mode and "Track: Select/unselect" and "Exclusive: Within project" that selects a non-VSTi track.

[RCJacH]

What do you want to bypass? That the note on/off messages reach the VSTi or your controller setting VSTi parameters via ReaLearn? I assume the first. If so, I recommend you to not solve this by enabling/disabling FX in one FX chain but by putting each VSTi on a separate track and then working with ReaLearn's more powerful track targets.

Ohh I haven't thought about using one Realearn to control multiple tracks. I wished to control enabling/disabling of FX to save processing power, but perhaps I can work around with combining bypassing FX and muting track...

What actual value do you want to send? More context please.

Regarding Advanced Settings, there's only "send_midi_feedback" in the examples of the documentation for ReaLearn. The comments say that it's only for sending MIDI data to the source controller. Is it possible to send MIDI data to target when certain conditions are met?

[helgoboss]

Originally Posted by RCJacH

Ohh I haven't thought about using one Realearn to control multiple tracks. I wished to control enabling/disabling of FX to save processing power, but perhaps I can work around with combining bypassing FX and muting track...

Regarding Advanced Settings, there's only "send_midi_feedback" in the examples of the documentation for ReaLearn. The comments say that it's only for sending MIDI data to the source controller. Is it possible to send MIDI data to target when certain conditions are met?

No, currently not.

See my **EDIT** above.

I'm currently working on a feature called "Group interaction" which should scenarios easier to achieve that involve sending one MIDI message and having multiple targets change in response to it. This will probably add many more ways to achieve scenarios like yours.

[grnprplOrngyllw]

Originally Posted by helgoboss

Which of the two do you want (or something entirely else?):

a)
- Button A that toggles between snare solo and reference track solo.
- Button B that toggles between guitar solo and reference track solo.

b)
- Button A that soloes the snare track (exclusively).
- Button B that soloes the guitar track (exclusively).
- Button C that soloes the reference track (exclusively).

Scenario (b) is super easy and is what the "Track exclusivity" feature was made for. Make all buttons have mode "Normal" and "Press only" and you are done.

Scenario (a) (toggling) actually doesn't need exclusivity. You create 2 mappings for button A and 2 mappings for button B, all set "Toggle buttons" mode - and set the initial solo state in REAPER so that toggling essentially always switches between one pair.

With more complicated scenarios where you recall a very particular set of solo states at the press of one button, you are better off using the "Project: Invoke REAPER action" target with a custom ReaScript or SWS snapshot actions. Or, as soon as #45 ("Support VCA and track grouping parameters") is implemented, you can use track grouping with solo lead and follow.



You are right ... I think a forum such as this one is in general not the best way to find accurate and up-to-date answers to questions - it's more a place for social exchange. Not sure though if a subforum will improve things much. AFAIK it's also not common to have subforums in the REAPER forum for specific 3rd-party products.

The only reason I use this is because it's what many REAPER users are familiar with and they already have an account. The best thing would be a Q&A site (such as Stackoverflow in the programming world). The "Discussions" tab on GitHub actually has similar features. People can upvote answers, which is very helpful. The only problem I see is that people have to register at yet another service ... many programmers have GitHub accounts already but normal users usually don't. Not sure yet where this will go.

I was able to do what I was intending on. I actually did it with the fader on my controller. When i move it from 0 to 1 it SELECTS the reference track (not the song, not the item, but the track), then from 21 to 40 i SOLO the reference track, then from 41 to 60 i SELECT ALL ITEMS in the selected track, then from 61 to 62 i TOGGLE EXCLUSIVE SOLO. Then, when i return the fader, exclusive solo gets toggled back, reference track gets unsoloed, and i am listening only to the previously soloed tracks.

I tried doing it with your suggestions but somehow i ended up with this solution. It works. It would be nice if I could select the specific item from Realearn. Thank you very much helgoboss.

[grnprplOrngyllw]

Hello helgoboss, and everyone.

I just learnt that double press button feature and it is outstanding. In this case, i want to double press a solo button to open the FX chain of that track. However, if the chain is empty, or freezed all the way, it will not open.

This is/would be awesome since, i am mixing, just soloed a guitar and: -wait, i want to equalize this.- So, I double press the solo button and i would love to see the fx chain.

Any thoughts?
Thanks!!!

[helgoboss]

Originally Posted by grnprplOrngyllw

Hello helgoboss, and everyone.

I just learnt that double press button feature and it is outstanding. In this case, i want to double press a solo button to open the FX chain of that track. However, if the chain is empty, or freezed all the way, it will not open.

This is/would be awesome since, i am mixing, just soloed a guitar and: -wait, i want to equalize this.- So, I double press the solo button and i would love to see the fx chain.

Any thoughts?
Thanks!!!

Not possible. Create FR.

[foxAsteria]

Originally Posted by grnprplOrngyllw

However, if the chain is empty, or freezed all the way, it will not open.
Any thoughts?

Track: insert/show ReaEQ action should work for you. If not I have a script for the same behavior with any other EQ.

[grnprplOrngyllw]

Originally Posted by helgoboss

Not possible. Create FR.

Thanks!!!
I cant find where I am supposed to make this feature request. Github/pull requests? reaper forum somewhere? github/issues? ReaLearn website? Here?

Thanks.

[grnprplOrngyllw]

Originally Posted by foxAsteria

Track: insert/show ReaEQ action should work for you. If not I have a script for the same behavior with any other EQ.

thank you that sounds like a good idea!

[helgoboss]

Released ReaLearn 2.10.0-pre.2 (ReaPack installation instructions)

Changes:
- #330 Added new tuning setting "Group interaction" for controlling multiple mappings within the same group at once, in multiple interesting ways
- #330 Added source category "None", to be used with mappings that are not supposed to be controlled directly but just via "Group interaction"

Powerful new feature.

[daniboyle]

Thank you very much!

[count-bak]

Hi, I'm new to ReaLearn and getting used to it with the Midi Fighter Twister. Apologies if this has been answered already, I've searched and not found anything useful. I'd like find out how to use ReaLearn to do the equivalent of switching action type on the MFT to the shift encoder hold function, to use the encoder to control two rotary parameters with a button press. All advice welcome, thanks!

[foxAsteria]

Originally Posted by count-bak

I'd like find out how to use ReaLearn to do the equivalent of switching action type on the MFT to the shift encoder hold function, to use the encoder to control two rotary parameters with a button press

Search the user guide for "When modifiers on/off." User guide can be accessed by right click in ReaLearn window.

[count-bak]

Originally Posted by foxAsteria

Search the user guide for "When modifiers on/off." User guide can be accessed by right click in ReaLearn window.

Thanks for this!

[count-bak]

Originally Posted by foxAsteria

Search the user guide for "When modifiers on/off." User guide can be accessed by right click in ReaLearn window.

Hello again, I'm afraid I'm stumped - again! I've added a mapping with modifier on. Modifier A is set to Parameter 1. Now I have to map a controller button to Parameter 1 - and I can't work out how to do this. I've been looking over the manual for quite some time and having no luck. Any advice gratefully received!

[foxAsteria]

Originally Posted by count-bak

Hello again, I'm afraid I'm stumped - again! I've added a mapping with modifier on. Modifier A is set to Parameter 1. Now I have to map a controller button to Parameter 1 - and I can't work out how to do this. I've been looking over the manual for quite some time and having no luck. Any advice gratefully received!

I had some trouble working that out as well.

I assume you want the push function of the encoder to turn on the modifier?

Assign it like this, except with param 1 in your case:


Personally I think "<This>" is confusing terminology. Not descriptive enough, but it makes sense once you know about it. It might be nice if it named the track and fx in parentheses. Of course I put it on montoring fx, so track isn't even relevant in my case but still needs to be set to <This>.

[count-bak]

Originally Posted by foxAsteria

I had some trouble working that out as well.

I assume you want the push function of the encoder to turn on the modifier?

Yes! Thanks so much. It's a steep learning curve but I can tell it's going to significantly change the way I use Reaper. Thanks Helgoboss!

[TabbyCat]

Originally Posted by helgoboss

Okay, I debugged it. Indeed, CSI makes it work by simply polling every 30ms or so. It seems to use polling for almost everything and makes only little usage of REAPER's built-in notification callbacks ... surprises me a bit and makes me wonder about potential performance issues. But it could very well be that the performance drawback of polling is neglectable in these cases, I never measured it. Ultimately depends on the number of action mappings I guess.

I think I will equip ReaLearn with an option to also use polling for the few targets that don't work reliably with REAPER's "notification system":

- FX: Set parameter value (doesn't work with REAPER's own notification system if it's a monitoring FX or when switching presets within some plug-in GUIs)
- Track: Enable/disable FX
- Track: Show/hide
- FX: Enable/disable
- Send: Mute/unmute

Benjamin you're a beast! I hadn't entered a FR, and you're already at it...just wow. Surprised about the CSI polling as well. In the API polling happens in the GUI thread of course...don't know what happens in compiled extensions. If a worst-case scenario is just some GUI lag, we can just turn the option off. I'm happy to test with a "big" project if necessary.

Amazing work as always

[helgoboss]

Originally Posted by TabbyCat

Benjamin you're a beast! I hadn't entered a FR, and you're already at it...just wow. Surprised about the CSI polling as well. In the API polling happens in the GUI thread of course...don't know what happens in compiled extensions. If a worst-case scenario is just some GUI lag, we can just turn the option off. I'm happy to test with a "big" project if necessary.

Amazing work as always

It's implemented already See the release notes for pre.1

[count-bak]

I suspect I may be asking lots of fairly simple questions here. I do hope they haven't been answered previously, and that my simple questions can help other lay users in figuring out this complex but incredible piece of software.

I'm following the instructions in section 7.3 of the user guide. Realearn is on the Monitoring FX. I've activated the controller preset for the Midi Fighter Twister and created the mappings I need (I'm mapping ReaEQ) When I'm on section 7.3.3 - (save mappings as main preset and link to the FX type), I'm in the Main compartment and click on Save as to save the preset. THe user guide informs me that Realearn will ask me if it should make my mappings project independent. This isn't happening. I get a dialogue asking me for the preset name, that's all.

I continue with the process, naming the preset and adding the FX to preset links which appear to be correct. When I set Auto-load to Depending on Focused FX the mappings work, but all the preset, group, and mapping options are greyed out. The mappings aren't effective in a different project.

Am I missing something? Any advice gratefully received as ever!

[helgoboss]

Originally Posted by count-bak

I suspect I may be asking lots of fairly simple questions here. I do hope they haven't been answered previously, and that my simple questions can help other lay users in figuring out this complex but incredible piece of software.

I'm following the instructions in section 7.3 of the user guide. Realearn is on the Monitoring FX. I've activated the controller preset for the Midi Fighter Twister and created the mappings I need (I'm mapping ReaEQ) When I'm on section 7.3.3 - (save mappings as main preset and link to the FX type), I'm in the Main compartment and click on Save as to save the preset. THe user guide informs me that Realearn will ask me if it should make my mappings project independent. This isn't happening. I get a dialogue asking me for the preset name, that's all.

I continue with the process, naming the preset and adding the FX to preset links which appear to be correct. When I set Auto-load to Depending on Focused FX the mappings work, but all the preset, group, and mapping options are greyed out. The mappings aren't effective in a different project.

Am I missing something? Any advice gratefully received as ever!

I should have added in that tutorial that you should add ReaLearn as normal track FX. It's behaving differently as monitoring FX because when it's monitoring FX it already knows that you want to create something project-independent (think about it) and addresses FX by position (which is debatable ... I agree). So it will not ask because positions are project-independent. Looking to improve this.

Your job now is to change "By position" to "<Focused>" for each mapping.

[count-bak]

Originally Posted by helgoboss

I should have added in that tutorial that you should add ReaLearn as normal track FX. It's behaving differently as monitoring FX because when it's monitoring FX it already knows that you want to create something project-independent (think about it) and addresses FX by position (which is debatable ... I agree). So it will not ask because positions are project-independent. Looking to improve this.

Your job now is to change "By position" to "<Focused>" for each mapping.

Ok great, thanks for this. I've done that and put it on the track with ReaEQ and it works well. It may be that the monitoring FX addressing fx by position accounts for the difficulty I had moving between projects, yes. I may well follow up with more simple questions!

[helgoboss]

Originally Posted by count-bak

It may be that the monitoring FX addressing fx by position accounts for the difficulty I had moving between projects, yes.

Mmh, but addressing FX by position is something project-independent, so it should work well when moving between projects. What cant't work across projects is "By ID".

The key to understand ReaLearn is to understand what the selectors mean. "By position" means something different than "By ID" or "By Name". Depends all on what you want. ReaLearn does whatever you tell it to do. If you tell it to do the wrong thing, it will happily do the wrong thing ...

[TabbyCat]

Originally Posted by TabbyCat
Benjamin you're a beast! I hadn't entered a FR, and you're already at it...just wow. Surprised about the CSI polling as well. [...]
Amazing work as always!

FANTASTIC

[count-bak]

Originally Posted by helgoboss

Mmh, but addressing FX by position is something project-independent, so it should work well when moving between projects. What cant't work across projects is "By ID".

The key to understand ReaLearn is to understand what the selectors mean. "By position" means something different than "By ID" or "By Name". Depends all on what you want. ReaLearn does whatever you tell it to do. If you tell it to do the wrong thing, it will happily do the wrong thing ...

So if I've understood you, it's possible for Realearn to use mappings across projects but only by position. Which means that I would have to have the fx in the same position in the track in every project? I can't see the reason in that. Is there a setting that ties the fx to the mapping preset regardless of position? (I have been reading the manual constantly btw, but I'm finding it quite hard to decipher, especially this important part about the selectors! I honestly find it quite prolix, and I have a masters degree, tho not a technical one (music therapy). It has occurred to me that at some point when it's possible, a non-technical version of the manual might be really helpful for the less technically minded of us).

I've also been finding some odd behaviours that I hope you can help with. I'm mapping Soundtoys Echoboy and some parameters seem to have mapped themselves to the MFT even though I didn't map them! 1 - I mapped the Lowcut to an encoder but the Input parameter is also affected by that same encoder. I haven't mapped the Input parameter, filtering the target tells me there's no matching mapping or search string, and filtering the source only brings up the Lowcut parameter's mapping. 2 - I've mapped the Mix parameter to another encoder, but for some reason the encoder next to it is also controlling the Mix parameter. That encoder is mapped in Realearn to the Echo Time parameter but it doesn't control it. 3 - Instead, the Echo Time parameter is controlled by the next encoder along, and the parameter moves in the opposite direction to the movement of the encoder - but only when the fx is selected. I currently have all the mappings set to FX ID. 4 - The Mix level is affected by any of the buttons - pressing any one will reset Mix to 0. Baffling! Any advice gratefully received with thanks as ever!

[helgoboss]

Originally Posted by count-bak

So if I've understood you, it's possible for Realearn to use mappings across projects but only by position.

No, that's wrong.

I try to explain step by step. Let me know which step you don't understand or you think you might understand wrong. And if you understand, let me know exactly which words you needed to hear to understand. Only then I can improve the user guide.

1. The selector ("By ID", "By position", "By name", ...) decides how ReaLearn FINDS or REFERS TO your track.

2. If you use the selector "By ID", it will REFER TO the track (that you have chosen in the mapping panel) by it's unique ID. That means it will be strongly associated with that track and that track only!!! If you move another track to the same position or give another track the same name ... ReaLearn will STILL only work with the originally chosen track. Think of "ID" as the ID on your personal ID card. Even if someone has the same name like you, the ID number on your ID card will be different so "count-bak 1" can be distinguished from "count-bak 2"!

3. If you use the selector "By Name", ReaLearn will find the track by matching the name that you enter. If you enter "Guitar 1", it will try to find a track named "Guitar 1" and it will not find "Piano 1".

4. If you use the selector "By position", it will use the track that's at the specified position. If you enter "1", it will take the first track.

5. If you use the selector "<Selected>", it will take whatever track is currently selected.


Now it should be obvious which of these selectors make sense to be used across different projects. Which ones work across different projects and which not is not ReaLearn specifics, it's just logic.

[helgoboss]

Originally Posted by count-bak

I've also been finding some odd behaviours that I hope you can help with. I'm mapping Soundtoys Echoboy and some parameters seem to have mapped themselves to the MFT even though I didn't map them! 1 - I mapped the Lowcut to an encoder but the Input parameter is also affected by that same encoder. I haven't mapped the Input parameter, filtering the target tells me there's no matching mapping or search string, and filtering the source only brings up the Lowcut parameter's mapping. 2 - I've mapped the Mix parameter to another encoder, but for some reason the encoder next to it is also controlling the Mix parameter. That encoder is mapped in Realearn to the Echo Time parameter but it doesn't control it. 3 - Instead, the Echo Time parameter is controlled by the next encoder along, and the parameter moves in the opposite direction to the movement of the encoder - but only when the fx is selected. I currently have all the mappings set to FX ID. 4 - The Mix level is affected by any of the buttons - pressing any one will reset Mix to 0. Baffling! Any advice gratefully received with thanks as ever!

Sounds like you have multiple instances of ReaLearn running. Maybe one in the monitoring FX chain or master track (easy to forget)? Just use the usual REAPER ways (FX Bay) to identify what ReaLearn instances are in your project.

Or did you add mappings to the "Controller" compartment?

If you really can't find the bad mappings, send me the RPP file and I can have a look.

[count-bak]

Originally Posted by count-bak

So if I've understood you, it's possible for Realearn to use mappings across projects but only by position. Which means that I would have to have the fx in the same position in the track in every project? I can't see the reason in that. Is there a setting that ties the fx to the mapping preset regardless of position? (I have been reading the manual constantly btw, but I'm finding it quite hard to decipher, especially this important part about the selectors! I honestly find it quite prolix, and I have a masters degree, tho not a technical one (music therapy). It has occurred to me that at some point when it's possible, a non-technical version of the manual might be really helpful for the less technically minded of us).

I've also been finding some odd behaviours that I hope you can help with. I'm mapping Soundtoys Echoboy and some parameters seem to have mapped themselves to the MFT even though I didn't map them! 1 - I mapped the Lowcut to an encoder but the Input parameter is also affected by that same encoder. I haven't mapped the Input parameter, filtering the target tells me there's no matching mapping or search string, and filtering the source only brings up the Lowcut parameter's mapping. 2 - I've mapped the Mix parameter to another encoder, but for some reason the encoder next to it is also controlling the Mix parameter. That encoder is mapped in Realearn to the Echo Time parameter but it doesn't control it. 3 - Instead, the Echo Time parameter is controlled by the next encoder along, and the parameter moves in the opposite direction to the movement of the encoder - but only when the fx is selected. I currently have all the mappings set to FX ID. 4 - The Mix level is affected by any of the buttons - pressing any one will reset Mix to 0. Baffling! Any advice gratefully received with thanks as ever!

I think I've found the reason for some of this behaviour. Other mapping presets that have been set to fx <focused> were affecting the echoboy one. I'd set them to fx preset link - I didn't realise that other presets could be affected if this was enabled? Do I need to set all the parameters by name? I think one thing it's really hard to get my head around is the ways conditions affect other conditions, especially in the target section.

[count-bak]

Originally Posted by helgoboss

Sounds like you have multiple instances of ReaLearn running. Maybe one in the monitoring FX chain or master track (easy to forget)? Just use the usual REAPER ways (FX Bay) to identify what ReaLearn instances are in your project.

Or did you add mappings to the "Controller" compartment?

If you really can't find the bad mappings, send me the RPP file and I can have a look.

I see - there was an instance of the reaeq preset on another track. What conditions do I need to set for more than one instance of Realearn to be able to work at once? I'm sorry, I feel pretty thick here, but I'm doing my best!

[helgoboss]

Originally Posted by count-bak

I think I've found the reason for some of this behaviour. Other mapping presets that have been set to fx <focused> were affecting the echoboy one.

Let's stop right here and get the wording right. What do you mean by "mapping preset"? I assume you mean "mapping"?

I'd set them to fx preset link - I didn't realise that other presets could be affected if this was enabled?

Do you mean you have "Auto-load: Depending on focused FX" enabled for that particular ReaLearn instance?

Originally Posted by count-bak

Do I need to set all the parameters by name?

It all depends on what you want to achieve.

Originally Posted by count-bak

I think one thing it's really hard to get my head around is the ways conditions affect other conditions, especially in the target section.

What do you mean by "conditions"? By default, it's quite easy: Each mapping in each ReaLearn instance is active.

Originally Posted by count-bak

I see - there was an instance of the reaeq preset on another track. What conditions do I need to set for more than one instance of Realearn to be able to work at once? I'm sorry, I feel pretty thick here, but I'm doing my best!

Okay, let's get to the core question: What exactly do you want to achieve?

No worries, it's in the nature of general-purpose tools that you have to spend some time to get the setup that you want if you are not familiar with the tool yet. I have the feeling though that your case is not that complicated but you are using the wrong features.

[count-bak]

Originally Posted by helgoboss

Let's stop right here and get the wording right. What do you mean by "mapping preset"? I assume you mean "mapping"?



Do you mean you have "Auto-load: Depending on focused FX" enabled for that particular ReaLearn instance?



It all depends on what you want to achieve.



What do you mean by "conditions"? By default, it's quite easy: Each mapping in each ReaLearn instance is active.



Okay, let's get to the core question: What exactly do you want to achieve?

No worries, it's in the nature of general-purpose tools that you have to spend some time to get the setup that you want if you are not familiar with the tool yet. I have the feeling though that your case is not that complicated but you are using the wrong features.

Thanks for your responses. I'm slowly getting there. I do still have a few queries (see below).

Firstly tho - I meant a main preset that was open in another instance of realearn. I'm now getting my head around the way to set up presets that can be non project dependent and don't affect other presets!

I'm still not sure I understand all the ways Auto-load: Depending on Focused FX works. It isn't preset specific, correct? As in it works for the whole of the realearn instance? Does it only work alongside any presets that are set to fx preset link to a vst/vsti? Can you explain why many of the options are greyed out when it's enabled?

Also I have found myself switching it on and off to edit presets and I found a behaviour I don't understand. I turn it off, and focus on a vst and go into the mapping to edit it. At this point the main preset field becomes greyed and has '<not present> (echoboy)' in it. This is a preset I deleted. If I focus on another fx in the same chain and come back to ReaLearn the field isn't greyed out any more and I can move between presets.

I've had issues mapping buttons in a couple of presets. In Arturia's SEM I wanted to have rotary encoders control the chorus/delay/overdrive/output levels and the buttons on the same encoders switch them on and off. I have correctly mapped them I believe, with the same target settings as the other mappings in the preset (track - this, FX - focused, Parameter - By position). In the tuning section, mode is set to Toggle Button. I've checked against the other presets and these buttons are not mapped in any of them. Filtering source and target shows me the correct mappings. If I filter source and touch the button on the MFT the correct mapping comes up and the mapping works when SEM is focused. This affects all the buttons mappings and they all work at this point. When I stop filtering source and press the 'X' button next to it, the button mappings stop functioning. All the 'rotary' mappings continue to function as usual. A similar behaviour is exhibited in the preset I've made for Devil-Loc. What do you think could be causing this behaviour?

Lastly (for now!) I've not been able to successfully map the 'Echo-Time' parameter n Echoboy. The parameter switches between delay times, which can be displayed as note divisions, or in milliseconds. Changing the UI to show the parameter list shows that it's a number of paramters combined! Do you have any advice on how to map this please?

What I want to achieve at present is to map instruments to the MFT using ReaLearn, and to be able to use them in different projects and multiple instances on a project. After that I'd like to tackle having presets that use parameters rom all over a single project, as you do in the ReaLearn 2 demo video, and at some point I'd also like to explore presets that allow selected tracks to be controlled. Probably other usage scenarios as time passes and I get more used to Realearn.

Thanks again.

[count-bak]

Originally Posted by helgoboss

No, that's wrong.

I try to explain step by step. Let me know which step you don't understand or you think you might understand wrong. And if you understand, let me know exactly which words you needed to hear to understand. Only then I can improve the user guide.

1. The selector ("By ID", "By position", "By name", ...) decides how ReaLearn FINDS or REFERS TO your track.

2. If you use the selector "By ID", it will REFER TO the track (that you have chosen in the mapping panel) by it's unique ID. That means it will be strongly associated with that track and that track only!!! If you move another track to the same position or give another track the same name ... ReaLearn will STILL only work with the originally chosen track. Think of "ID" as the ID on your personal ID card. Even if someone has the same name like you, the ID number on your ID card will be different so "count-bak 1" can be distinguished from "count-bak 2"!

3. If you use the selector "By Name", ReaLearn will find the track by matching the name that you enter. If you enter "Guitar 1", it will try to find a track named "Guitar 1" and it will not find "Piano 1".

4. If you use the selector "By position", it will use the track that's at the specified position. If you enter "1", it will take the first track.

5. If you use the selector "<Selected>", it will take whatever track is currently selected.


Now it should be obvious which of these selectors make sense to be used across different projects. Which ones work across different projects and which not is not ReaLearn specifics, it's just logic.

I think I understand this now. I'm not sure I completely get why FX ID is project dependent in the same way that track ID is but I accept it!

[foxAsteria]

Originally Posted by count-bak

I'm not sure I completely get why FX ID is project dependent in the same way that track ID is but I accept it!

I think so you can use multiple instances with the same name in the same project and they are all differentiated and moveable.

[TabbyCat]

Originally Posted by count-bak
I'm not sure I completely get why FX ID is project dependent in the same way that track ID is but I accept it!

Yes, and also: you might need to refer to a unique FX instance without selecting the track in question. E.g. let's say you have 5 EchoBoys in your project. How to refer to EchoBoy #3 without selecting the track that it's on? They all have the same name, so "By name" won't work...if you choose "By position", and you delete / move anything, you're in trouble. You're forced to create a context, such as selecting the track you want.

A practical use case for FX ID is live performance (which is one of Benjamin's initial use cases for ReaLearn) - you might need to tweak a Send FX on an unrelated track somewhere, without interacting with the keyboard/mouse. You can reliably target a particular FX by its unique ID in that specific project, and be guaranteed to address it no matter what. Because, you can't tell your audience to please wait while you select some tracks and open some GUIs

[TabbyCat]

Originally Posted by count-bak

Lastly (for now!) I've not been able to successfully map the 'Echo-Time' parameter n Echoboy. The parameter switches between delay times, which can be displayed as note divisions, or in milliseconds. Changing the UI to show the parameter list shows that it's a number of paramters combined! Do you have any advice on how to map this please?

It's a weird one. SoundToys has done something really peculiar The knob on the GUI actually changes based on whether Time or one of the Note / Dot / Trip buttons is selected.

I'm able to get it to work by making two separate assignments in ReaLearn. I.e., point the same knob to two different destinations, choosing those destinations manually from the drop-down. The ones I chose were:

7. Echo1Note
8. Echo1Time

And for the Echo1Note mapping, checking two boxes in the ReaLearn Edit screen: "Reverse," and "Make Absolute".

It's still a little wonky because the note-based setting sends weird encoder feedback (you'll see), but the control is working.

[count-bak]

Originally Posted by foxAsteria

I think so you can use multiple instances with the same name in the same project and they are all differentiated and moveable.

I see, that makes sense. Thanks!

[count-bak]

Originally Posted by TabbyCat

It's a weird one. SoundToys has done something really peculiar The knob on the GUI actually changes based on whether Time or one of the Note / Dot / Trip buttons is selected.

I'm able to get it to work by making two separate assignments in ReaLearn. I.e., point the same knob to two different destinations, choosing those destinations manually from the drop-down. The ones I chose were:

7. Echo1Note
8. Echo1Time

And for the Echo1Note mapping, checking two boxes in the ReaLearn Edit screen: "Reverse," and "Make Absolute".

It's still a little wonky because the note-based setting sends weird encoder feedback (you'll see), but the control is working.

This is really helpful - and the explanation in your previous post. Thanks again. Getting to know something like Realearn is pretty tricky for me and I really appreciate this forum and all your advice!

[Hartley Mays]

I'm hoping to set up some mappings for fx parameters that can be used without change for different tracks that use the same VSTi by using the Selected Track option.

I choose FX Parameter as the target, with Selected Track.

On the FX, I use By Position. With position set as 1, (which I take to mean the first FX on the chain), I get a list of numbered main parms in the Parameter dropdown, when By Position is used again there. However, if I set the first By Position to 2, it doesn't present this list and says it requires an fx name. I don't understand why it doesn't present the same list as it does for position 1?

The particular use case I have in mind is to use the same set of mappings for multiple instances of Kontakt multis, with Reaticulate first on the fx chain followed by Kontakt. (A possible workaround might be to have Reat on a separate track with its output routed to the Kontakt Multi track so it would be in the first position.)