Use MPC Beats as a plugin in Reaper?

OldNick · 08-18-2020, 11:08 PM

Can you use Akai's MPC Beats as a plugin in Reaper, and if so, how?

I have got as far as placing the only .dll file (libusb-MPC-1.0.dll) that came with the package, into one of the search folders that are nominated in Reaper, but nothing shows up, and the search does not find it, in the All Plugins list when I try to load it. I also restarted Reaper.

Actually I will explain my idea. If I am barking up the wrong tree, then let me know. I do not have hardware. So my idea was to have MPC as a VST then feed it midi by routing another track to it.

Any help greatly appreciated.....I mean it...

domzy · 08-19-2020, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldNick

I have got as far as placing the only .dll file (libusb-MPC-1.0.dll) that came with the package, into one of the search folders that are nominated in Reaper,

i haven't used it, so i'm just speculating, but doesn't it install into a specific folder as part of a package?
If so, just add that path to your plugin folders list in preferences - don't move stuff

OldNick · 08-19-2020, 10:33 AM

Yeah, thanks. I will try that that. But it could get a bit messy if all plugins worked like that!

....nope....just tried it

poetnprophet · 08-20-2020, 10:45 AM

you need to find out where the plugin installs and use that path. yes all plugins are setup that way! it may help to uninstall, then reinstall and either 1) pick the path that best suits you or 2) note the file path and use that to point reaper

you don't have to "feed" it midi from another track. simply rec/arm the track with Beats loaded, and set the input to Midi and pick your hardware (or all channels). and enable input monitoring.

OldNick · 08-21-2020, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poetnprophet

you need to find out where the plugin installs and use that path. yes all plugins are setup that way! it may help to uninstall, then reinstall and either 1) pick the path that best suits you or 2) note the file path and use that to point reaper

you don't have to "feed" it midi from another track. simply rec/arm the track with Beats loaded, and set the input to Midi and pick your hardware (or all channels). and enable input monitoring.

Thanks for the reply and you did help...so far. ATS I have found the dll and need to see if if it will plug in.

Yeah I knew that I had to fund the path and that's how it works...but...although I had already found a dll (which did not work) , your idea to reinstall was the clue. But Akai / Steinberg are MOST unhelpful...they do not allow choice or even a decent view. I knew there was a Steinberg connection and saw it flash across the screen during reinstall, while I watched like a hawk. So I did a search of program files for steinberg and found MPC Beats.dll

Back to the fray.

OldNick · 08-21-2020, 05:59 AM

hmmm....I am starting to think that Akai/Steinberg are not releasing this idea, except to Cubase (cough spit spew). I have found the right dll and tried both leading Reaper to it in Reaper's preferences, and also placing the dll withing Reaper's stock dll path....not working.

domzy · 08-21-2020, 09:34 AM

Don't move the .dll!

Steinberg invented the VST system, so a lot of plugins with install routines default to C:\Program Files\Steinberg\VST plugins for 64 bit & C:\Program Files (x86)\Steinberg\VST plugins for 32 bit plugins

Is it in either of these?
Have you got these paths defined in Reaper?

OldNick · 08-22-2020, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by domzy

Don't move the .dll!

Steinberg invented the VST system, so a lot of plugins with install routines default to C:\Program Files\Steinberg\VST plugins for 64 bit & C:\Program Files (x86)\Steinberg\VST plugins for 32 bit plugins

Is it in either of these?
Have you got these paths defined in Reaper?

Thanks for persevering. Yeah I have tried guiding Reaper to the steinberg/vst folders and I know the dlls are there. Nada.

OK. I have not had a cost for this beyond a download and more than the justified time.

I cannot find any info on how to make it work. I tried in Cacklewalk as well. I seriously suspect that Akai and Steinberg are hand in glove, here.

It was just curiosity for me, so I give up.

Thanks for the effort. I really do appreciate it. I know it looks wasted, so I am throwing in the towel in order not to waste any more.

OldNick · 08-22-2020, 05:11 AM

I have to say that Reaper itself offers all sorts of what I think MPC Beats offers, with looping etc. I am sure I can get by

Stella645 · 08-22-2020, 03:09 PM

This plug is nothing to do with Steinberg and will work in any DAW.

You probably just needed to clear cache and rescan..plug showed up fine for me in Reaper.

Never put third party plugs in Reaper/Plugins folder though. This is ONLY for stock plugs.

OldNick · 08-22-2020, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stella645

This plug is nothing to do with Steinberg and will work in any DAW.

You probably just needed to clear cache and rescan..plug showed up fine for me in Reaper.

Never put third party plugs in Reaper/Plugins folder though. This is ONLY for stock plugs.

Thanks for the reply.

Well, since I had a reply, I cleared and rescanned...nothing. So I erased all the paths I had recently tried in Preferences and re-entered C:\Program Files\Steinberg\VSTPlugins....and it worked.

I do not know what happend. I had entered that path before.

Anyway guys, thanks for the support. It kept me going. Now to see if it was all worth it.

androo235 · 02-20-2022, 03:04 PM

I'd like to use this as a plugin with Reaper and did as was suggested (went to preferences and did a re-scan choosing the option to clear cache and re-scan VST path for all plug-ins). It founds MPC Beats. Great. I thought. But, when I add it to a track I get this message,

"Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library

Program: C:\Reaper\Program Files\Reaper (x64)\reaper.exe

Runtime Error!

This application has requested the runtime to terminate it in an unusual way. Please contact the applications support team for more information."

and then Reaper crashes and closes immediately.

Did you ever get this to actually work as a Reaper plugin?

androo235 · 02-20-2022, 05:33 PM

Well, yes, I have answered my own question. Was tedious having to set Reaper up from scratch again, for example with my Control Surface (X-Touch). Fortunately I've not been at this long so not much customisation to have to do again yet. You'd think that they might tell you this. Haven't actually used it yet, but it loads with the interface etc and looks like it's going to work.

uvb · 04-06-2024, 07:09 PM

It certainly works. My Reaper didn't have the VST location configured where Akai placed its VST2 .dll (c:\program files\steinberg\VstPlugins). Once I added that location to Reapers VST path MPC Beats added in fine. However, not sure how much use it will be.