04-29-2014, 02:01 AM | #1 | ||
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Tutorial: Reaper as live VST host with SWS Live Configs
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.
Here's the YOUTUBE video also (any help on how to export the sws settings and other template stuff for download is welcome)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/0B6I...it?usp=sharing 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) 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:
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. Quote:
Quote:
Last edited by godly; 03-13-2015 at 12:24 PM. |
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04-29-2014, 03:35 AM | #2 |
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It's incredible! But can you make a video with switching between the configs?
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04-29-2014, 03:39 AM | #3 |
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04-29-2014, 04:59 AM | #4 |
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04-29-2014, 05:06 AM | #5 |
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Ok, let me try Camstudio tonight :-)
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04-29-2014, 07:06 AM | #6 |
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the beauty of Reaper.
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04-29-2014, 01:55 PM | #7 |
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Vitalker, I made the video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5skC...ature=youtu.be |
04-30-2014, 12:31 PM | #8 | |
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Quote:
http://wiki.cockos.com/wiki/index.ph...ation_with_SWS and http://wiki.cockos.com/wiki/index.ph...pping_with_SWS Btw nice and detailed write up. Thx for this. Very inspiring. Regards Sebastian
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04-30-2014, 01:21 PM | #9 | |
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Quote:
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04-30-2014, 01:26 PM | #10 |
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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.
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05-01-2014, 01:26 AM | #11 |
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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
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05-06-2014, 01:32 AM | #12 |
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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?
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# My sounddesign: Synth1/Ex5/D-50 patches # My stuff: W10 i7x64 laptop, Reaper, Cantabile, mainly Synth1 for Live, NordStage2, Samson Graphite 49 |
05-06-2014, 01:34 AM | #13 |
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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.
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# My sounddesign: Synth1/Ex5/D-50 patches # My stuff: W10 i7x64 laptop, Reaper, Cantabile, mainly Synth1 for Live, NordStage2, Samson Graphite 49 Last edited by godly; 05-06-2014 at 01:44 AM. |
05-06-2014, 01:46 AM | #14 | |
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Quote:
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?
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# My sounddesign: Synth1/Ex5/D-50 patches # My stuff: W10 i7x64 laptop, Reaper, Cantabile, mainly Synth1 for Live, NordStage2, Samson Graphite 49 |
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05-07-2014, 06:46 AM | #15 |
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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 |
05-07-2014, 07:10 AM | #16 |
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Let us know what works or doesn't for you.
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# My sounddesign: Synth1/Ex5/D-50 patches # My stuff: W10 i7x64 laptop, Reaper, Cantabile, mainly Synth1 for Live, NordStage2, Samson Graphite 49 |
05-07-2014, 03:18 PM | #17 | |
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Quote:
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...
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05-13-2014, 04:44 AM | #18 |
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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?
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# My sounddesign: Synth1/Ex5/D-50 patches # My stuff: W10 i7x64 laptop, Reaper, Cantabile, mainly Synth1 for Live, NordStage2, Samson Graphite 49 |
05-13-2014, 05:01 AM | #19 |
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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
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05-13-2014, 05:29 AM | #20 | |
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Quote:
http://anonemusic.com/sites/default/...ule/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...
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# My sounddesign: Synth1/Ex5/D-50 patches # My stuff: W10 i7x64 laptop, Reaper, Cantabile, mainly Synth1 for Live, NordStage2, Samson Graphite 49 |
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05-13-2014, 03:35 PM | #21 |
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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.
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05-14-2014, 12:37 AM | #22 |
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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?
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# My sounddesign: Synth1/Ex5/D-50 patches # My stuff: W10 i7x64 laptop, Reaper, Cantabile, mainly Synth1 for Live, NordStage2, Samson Graphite 49 Last edited by godly; 05-14-2014 at 01:05 AM. |
05-14-2014, 02:11 AM | #23 | |
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Quote:
Regards Sebastian
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05-14-2014, 02:45 AM | #24 |
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Yep looked at Piz, but nothing ReaFx can't do, right?
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# My sounddesign: Synth1/Ex5/D-50 patches # My stuff: W10 i7x64 laptop, Reaper, Cantabile, mainly Synth1 for Live, NordStage2, Samson Graphite 49 |
05-14-2014, 04:00 AM | #25 |
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Anybody knows what Js this is?
I can't find it? https://stash.reaper.fm/v/3654/Filter...c%20Filter.png
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# My sounddesign: Synth1/Ex5/D-50 patches # My stuff: W10 i7x64 laptop, Reaper, Cantabile, mainly Synth1 for Live, NordStage2, Samson Graphite 49 |
05-14-2014, 06:58 AM | #26 | |
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Quote:
I use the ix midi filter that comes with reaper. its talked about in the manual. not sure the exact name now.
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05-14-2014, 07:04 AM | #27 | |
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Quote:
So how do you run several SWS commands in a macro?
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# My sounddesign: Synth1/Ex5/D-50 patches # My stuff: W10 i7x64 laptop, Reaper, Cantabile, mainly Synth1 for Live, NordStage2, Samson Graphite 49 |
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05-15-2014, 12:38 AM | #28 |
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I've found out you can create actions in actions, so that should be possible.
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# My sounddesign: Synth1/Ex5/D-50 patches # My stuff: W10 i7x64 laptop, Reaper, Cantabile, mainly Synth1 for Live, NordStage2, Samson Graphite 49 |
05-21-2014, 03:06 AM | #29 |
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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?
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# My sounddesign: Synth1/Ex5/D-50 patches # My stuff: W10 i7x64 laptop, Reaper, Cantabile, mainly Synth1 for Live, NordStage2, Samson Graphite 49 |
05-21-2014, 03:37 PM | #30 |
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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...
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05-21-2014, 03:54 PM | #31 | |
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Quote:
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.
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05-22-2014, 01:03 AM | #32 |
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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 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 Oh, there was also a problem, when disconnecting a USB port the laptop rebooted. Fun Fun Those problems are strangely solved (W8.1 update?) That's where I learned to keep multiple versions of your files
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# My sounddesign: Synth1/Ex5/D-50 patches # My stuff: W10 i7x64 laptop, Reaper, Cantabile, mainly Synth1 for Live, NordStage2, Samson Graphite 49 |
05-23-2014, 07:03 PM | #33 |
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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.
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05-24-2014, 04:27 AM | #34 | |
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Quote:
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# My sounddesign: Synth1/Ex5/D-50 patches # My stuff: W10 i7x64 laptop, Reaper, Cantabile, mainly Synth1 for Live, NordStage2, Samson Graphite 49 |
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06-26-2014, 11:23 AM | #35 |
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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!) |
08-06-2014, 11:44 AM | #36 |
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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
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# My sounddesign: Synth1/Ex5/D-50 patches # My stuff: W10 i7x64 laptop, Reaper, Cantabile, mainly Synth1 for Live, NordStage2, Samson Graphite 49 |
08-06-2014, 11:58 AM | #37 |
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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.
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# My sounddesign: Synth1/Ex5/D-50 patches # My stuff: W10 i7x64 laptop, Reaper, Cantabile, mainly Synth1 for Live, NordStage2, Samson Graphite 49 Last edited by godly; 08-06-2014 at 12:32 PM. |
08-06-2014, 12:18 PM | #38 |
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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.
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08-06-2014, 12:52 PM | #39 | |
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Quote:
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.
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# My sounddesign: Synth1/Ex5/D-50 patches # My stuff: W10 i7x64 laptop, Reaper, Cantabile, mainly Synth1 for Live, NordStage2, Samson Graphite 49 |
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08-06-2014, 01:05 PM | #40 |
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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?
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# My sounddesign: Synth1/Ex5/D-50 patches # My stuff: W10 i7x64 laptop, Reaper, Cantabile, mainly Synth1 for Live, NordStage2, Samson Graphite 49 |
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