As described above, it is possible to use the CMC-TP in Reaper without third-party software. However, most buttons will remain dark.
This is a critical point. How could you possibly obtain a great mix without illuminated colored buttons? Everyone knows that this is entirely impossible! So we need a better solution.
For full support of the CMC-TP in Reaper, you need Bome's Midi Translator Pro. This is commercial software and can be found here:
http://www.bome.com/products/miditranslator
For first experiments, you can use the demo version which runs 20 minutes per session. In addition, you need a translation file that I created. You find it in the Reaper stash:
https://stash.reaper.fm/v/22980/CMC-T...haTrack%29.zip
Proceed as follows:
1. Make sure that CMC-TP is connected and drivers are installed
2. Install Midi Translator Pro (or the demo version)
3. Start MT Pro and load my translation file (*.bmtp)
All LEDs of the CMC-TP should now be lit dimly.
NOTE:
MT Pro must be running all the time while using the CMC-TP in Reaper! It modifies communication messages between CMC-TP and Reaper and switches the LEDs of the control panel on/off as required.
4. Open the Reaper preferences
5. Under "Control Surfaces" click [Add]
6. Select "Frontier AlphaTrack"
7. Select "Bome's Midi Translator" for Midi input and output
The image below shows the result.
All buttons work, and the layout is very similar to the one intended by Steinberg.
The [LED] button can be used to switch all LEDs on/off. To switch off (e.g. after closing Reaper), press the button briefly; all LEDs should switch off 5 seconds later. Press the button again to switch the LED dimmer back on.
The [SHIFT] button can be pressed and held to access additional functions. Please note that this button has a sticky function: If you press Shift alone (without another button), it will remain active until you press it again. This allows one-handed operation of the panel.
The touch sensitive slider is also functional. The slider modes will be described in the next post.