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This example has been kept simple for learning purposes. In practise, subprojects are most useful when
working with complex and intense applications such as movie scores, radio programs, large orchestral
arrangements, game/video sound design and electronic music production. Another potential application is in
finalising an album, with each song being inserted as a separate subproject within a master project.
Working with subprojects … some handy tips and hints
It's easy to stumble and make (sometimes elementary) mistakes when trying out something new. These
comments are not comprehensive but they are here to help you.
Creating a subproject file
It's not the end of the world if you forget to position the edit cursor in the master project accurately
before creating a subproject. You can move the media item within the master project file later.
You can specify the position and length of a subproject by defining a time selection before you create it.
It usually pays to ensure that the master project is set up within a new folder, and the subprojects are all
stored in that same folder.
Don't use the name of an existing file in the same folder as a subproject file name. If you do, you will
overwrite that file with a new empty one.
Individual media items from an existing project file can be imported into a subproject file in the usual way
(e.g. using REAPER's Insert,
Media item command, or via the
media explorer).
An existing .RPP project file can
be imported into a master project
as a new subproject item.
Either
drag and drop the .RPP file
from media explorer into an
empty track in the master file,
and when prompted choose
Insert project as media item,
or
select the empty track and use the Insert, Media file... command.
An existing media item (or item selection) in a master project file can be extracted from the master file
and moved into a new subproject file. Right-click on the selected item(s) and choose Move items to
new subproject. Items within the selection on the same track will be moved to a single subproject file.
Items on different tracks will be each be moved into a separate subproject file. The subproject file is fully
editable: its contents will appear in the master project file as a single item, which will be updated each
time the subproject file is saved.
An entire track or selection of existing tracks in a master project file can be converted into a subproject by
following these steps:
1. In the TCP, select the track or a number of tracks. If these are enclose in a folder, include the folder in
your selection.
2. From the main menu, choose Track, Move tracks to new subproject.
The tracks (including any folders) will be moved and saved to a new subproject file: their output will
appear in the master file as a rendered single item on a single track. Note, however, that any
sends/receives between the selected tracks and any other tracks in the master file will be removed.
Working with subproject files
If your master/subproject arrangements become very complicated, and you wish to be able to save
without having to wait for rendering to complete, click on one of the project tabs and enable the option
Defer rendering of subprojects (render on tab switch rather than on save).
A new subproject file will take some project settings (e.g. BPM, time sig) from the master project file.
However, changes to master project settings will not be automatically applied to subprojects.
You do not need to have the master file (or any other file) open when you are working on a subproject
file. The file will be automatically re-rendered when you save your changes, and it is this re-rendered
version that will be displayed when you next open the master file. However, often you will want to have
the master project file open, to give your subproject file(s) relevant context.
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The =START and =END
markers can be used to
ensure that only a portion of
the material in a subproject
file is rendered and returned
to the master file when the
project is saved (shown here).
If you delete these two
markers, the entire project
from the start (zero on timeline) to the end of the last item will be rendered when the file is saved. This
could lead to the loss of reverb tails if the reverb is intended to play beyond the end of the last item.
When you play back a subproject file with Run background projects and Synchronize any parent
projects on playback enabled, the item takes in the master file that correspond with that subproject file
will be automatically muted, and remains so as long as that subproject remains the active project.. This
prevents the same material from being played twice.
If when working on a subproject file you wish to hear only the contents of that file on playback, you
should disable the project tab option Synchronize any parent projects on playback.
Be aware that if a subproject has been edited within the parent project (e.g. with FX, playrate changes,
etc.) the Synchronize any parent projects on playback option may not produce the same results as
playback of the parent project would provide.
You have already learnt that when a subproject file is saved its contents are rendered to audio. This
process uses that file's project render realtime/online settings. Thus, if you wish you can use different
render settings for different subproject files.
A subproject file can be auditioned in media explorer. Navigate to the correct folder, and select the .RPP
project in the usual way. The audio render will be played. This enables you to play it back in media
explorer without having to open it. Within media explorer, the Options menu includes Auto-render
proxy (subproject) to preview REAPER.RPP projects. If enabled, this ensures that when you select
an .RPP subproject view for preview, if it needs rendering it will automatically be rendered.
Within the main project file, you can create a new take of any subproject item. Just right-click on the
media item and from the context menu choose Open items in editor, then Open item copies in
subproject tab. You will now have two subproject files for this track. These two files can be edited
independently of each
other and will be
displayed in the master
project as two separate
takes. They can be
manipulated and edited in exactly the same way as any other takes.
Your subproject files, like any other project files, can include markers and regions, as you wish. On saving,
any regions will be identifiable within that subproject's rendered media item in the main project file.
Summary of master and subproject project tab options
Parent projects:
If you enable the option Run background projects then you can fine tune how the background projects
should behave by enabling or disabling any or all of the options Run stopped background projects, Play
stopped background projects with active project and Synchronize play start times w/play
background projects.
Subprojects:
If you enable the option Run background projects then you can fine tune how the background projects
should behave by enabling or disabling any or all of the options Synchronize any parent projects on
playback, Run stopped background projects, Play stopped background projects with active
project and Synchronize play start times w/play background projects.
For both parent and subproject s, the option Defer rendering of subprojects (render on tab switch
rather than save) is available.
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13 - Manipulating and Editing MIDI Items
13 Manipulating and Editing MIDI Items
13.1
Introduction
REAPER has a number of techniques for manipulating and editing your MIDI items. In brief these are:
Many of the commands on the right-click media item context menu can be used with MIDI items as
much as they can with audio items – for example you can create and manipulate multiple takes, add
MIDI FX to a take’s FX chain, cut, copy and move items, and so on.
In addition, there are commands on the right-click item context menu that are specific to MIDI items
and only MIDI items. We’ll get to these soon enough.
You can open any MIDI items or selection of MIDI items in REAPER’s MIDI Editor for detailed editing.
You can choose either to open a single item, several items together in the same single MIDI Editor
window, or to use a separate window for each item.
For quick MIDI editing, you can edit the track in-line. This makes the item’s content available for editing
without needing to open a separate MIDI editing window. This is covered near the end of this chapter.
Before looking at editing, however, we'll resolve a couple of other issues of importance to MIDI users.
13.2
Monitoring an External Synthesizer
An external synthesizer can be monitored using MIDI or audio input. Just do this:
Activity
Procedures
Monitor using MIDI
Input
Insert a track and name it. Arm it for recording and turn record monitoring on
Set record mode to Disable (input monitoring only)
Select Input: MIDI, then the device, then the channel(s)
Open the track's routing (I/O) window, select your MIDI Hardware Output.
Monitor using Audio
Input
Insert a track and name it. Arm it for recording turn record monitoring on
Set record mode to Disable (input monitoring only)
Select the necessary mono or stereo audio input from the synth's audio interface.
13.3
Using Track Controls with MIDI
As mentioned in Chapter 5, REAPER's track volume and pan controls by default control a track's audio signals. If
you wish to use these for MIDI instead, you can do so. Right click on the track number in the TCP or MCP and
choose MIDI Track Controls then select one of the Link track volume/pan to MIDI options from the
menu. You can choose
all channels or any
individual channel.
You can also use the
plug-in ReaControl
MIDI with any track.
This is explained in detail in Chapter 15.
13.4
Controlling MIDI Data Sends
REAPER's sends and receives can be used with audio items,
MIDI items, or both. You have already been introduced to
this topic (Chapter 5), and it is covered in more depth in
Chapter 16. Meanwhile, note that the button indicated on
the right can be used to ensure that a send's fader controls
are used to control the MIDI data.
With this button enabled, CC messages CC07 for Volume (127, max) and CC10 Pan (64, center) are sent on the
selected channels (by default, all channels). If there are any MIDI items (even empty ones) on the sending
track, they are sent when transport starts or stops, or play position changes. However be aware that not all
synths and plug-ins recognize this feature.
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13.5
Configuring and Accessing the MIDI Editor
Note: Many of the illustrations used in this chapter use the REAPER 4 default color theme. The instructions and
actions are nevertheless accurate for REAPER 5.
The MIDI Editor needs to be opened from an existing item. If you wish to open it with a “clean sheet” then you
must first create a new empty MIDI item. To do this, select the required track and (optionally) make your time
selection to define the length of the item. Then choose Insert, New MIDI Item from the main menu.
By default, MIDI items created in this way are loop enabled. You can change this for an individual items within
its Media Item Properties dialog box, or globally on the Project, Media Item Defaults page of your
Preferences settings.
The MIDI Editor can be opened by any of these methods, using a single MIDI item (either recorded or empty):
Unless you have changed your default mouse modifier preferences (see Chapter 14) double-click on the
MIDI item, or
Select the MIDI item and press Ctrl Alt E
Right-click on the item and choose Open in built-in MIDI editor from the menu.
However, exactly how the MIDI Editor will behave when opened will depend on your Preferences settings.
Before delving into the MIDI Editor, therefore, we really need to explore these preferences. Use the Options,
Preferences command, the choose MIDI Editor from the list to access the MIDI Editor preferences.
The wider range of MIDI Editor
preferences is explored in Chapter
21. For now, we just need to focus
on those shown on the right.
First, you can specify what by
default will be opened with the MIDI
editor. This can be clicked MIDI
item only, all selected MIDI
items, all MIDI on the same track, or all MIDI in the project. The default is All selected MIDI items.
You can override the default settings at any time by opening the MIDI Editor by right-clicking on an item (or a
selection of items) and choosing Open items in editor, then, from the sub-menu, choosing either Open
items in built in MIDI editor, Open MIDI item in editor or Open item copies in built-in MIDI editor.
You can also determine what is to happen when more than one MIDI item is open: you can choose to have a
separate MIDI editor instance per media item, per track or just one editor for the whole project.
13.6
The MIDI Editor Window
The next part of this User Guide focuses on how to work in the MIDI Editor with a single item. Later in this
chapter we will look at working in the MIDI Editor with multiple items, and with items on multiple tracks.
When you open an item in the MIDI Editor you will see a display similar to that shown below. It includes:
The Main Menu.
We’ll take a detailed look at the main menu, its various commands and actions shortly, but first you need
to understand some more about the interface and how to navigate it.
The Toolbar(below Main Menu)
Hover your mouse over any button for a tooltip. You can customize this toolbar to meet your own
requirements (see Chapter 14). The default toolbar icons are described below (left to right).
Track List and Media Item Lane
These buttons open (on) and close (off) the Track List and Media Item Lane panels. In the illustration
below, both these are set to off. These are explained in this chapter, in the section Working with
Multiple Tracks and/or Items. For the time being, please make sure both of these are set to off.
Filter Button
This is the third button on the toolbar. It opens the Filter Events window to allow you to decide what you
want displayed in the MIDI Editor. The Show only events that pass filter box toggles your filter
settings on and off. Invert causes all notes to be displayed
except
those defined by the filter settings.
Enabling Solo will cause only events that pass through the filter to be played.
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You can choose to display all Channels, or any combination or permutation of channels.
The Event Type drop down list lets you select any type of event for your filter. The default is All, but you can
change this to Note, Poly Aftertouch, Control Change (CC), Program Change (PC), Channel Aftertouch, Pitch, or
Sysex/Meta.
The content of the Parameter drop down lists depend on the
event type selected. For example, for Note (as shown below), it
will display a list of notes, with options to filter on note (optionally
using the keys in piano roll) or note range, velocity, position in
measure and/or length. However, choosing Program Change (PC)
as event type will allow filtering only on program number and/or
position in measure. Pitch can be filtered on low/high values or
position in measure.
Position in measure behavior will vary with the event type. For
example, if the event type is Note, position in measure allows you
to restrict display to a range you define anywhere between 0 and
127. For PC, CC or Pitch, low and high position in measure values
are set to any range within 1/32 and 1.
Set selection causes current filter settings to be applied, and
Add to selection lets you add to the existing filter selection. For
example, you can create a filter on Note then add to it one based
on Pitch. You can also specify settings to Remove from (current)
Selection. Set filter from selection will automatically create a
new filter based on the current MIDI Editor note selection.
To the right of the filter button are four toggle icons, Quantize
(on/off), CC selection follows note selection, Show grid and
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Snap to grid. Right-click over the Snap to Grid button to set behavior for when snap is enabled – Always
snap notes to the left, Snap notes to end of grid (the default), or Snap relative to grid. The final icon
Dock editor can be used to dock and undock the MIDI Editor window.
The Filter Button includes a right-click context menu which can be used to toggle on/.off the options Show
only events that pass filter, Invert filter and/or Solo.
Note: If both Media, MIDI preferences to Create new items as .MID files and Import existing MIDI files
as .MID file reference are enabled, the MIDI Editor toolbar will on the left display two further buttons - File,
Save MIDI file and File, Revert to saved MIDI file.
The Ruler
The MIDI Editor follows your Arrange view settings. For example, if the option Loop points linked to time
selection is enabled, click and drag along the MIDI Editor ruler will define both loop and time selection.
The Transport Bar
This is found at the bottom of the MIDI Editor window. It contains the transport buttons and a number of drop
down lists. The first six buttons (left to right) can be used to rewind, start, pause playback, stop playback, jump
to end, and to toggle repeat loop mode on/off. The loop area can be set on the timeline in either the MIDI
Editor or the Arrange window. There are also some drop down lists. From L to R, these are:
Grid
This is the grid division box. It is used to specify your required grid division unit. Note that the units is
Notes
,
and that you can select from any of the values listed – 1/128, 1/64, 1/32, 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2 or 4.
Grid spacing type
Options here are straight, triplet, dotted or swing. If you choose swing, several other parameters will also be
displayed on this bar. These are discussed later in the context of quantizing.
Notes
This is used to select the default note length (expressed as a fraction of a note) that is used when new notes
are added. In the example above, this has been set to be the same as the grid setting. It can be overwritten
using the main menu Options, Drawing or Selecting a Note Sets Note Length.
Scale and Chord
Enabling the snap to scale option allows you to select a scale and a chord from the two drop down lists. You can
also use the chords button (here labelled “Major”) to load a REAPER .reascale file.
Color
Use this to use color to display differences in Velocity, Channel, Pitch, Source, Track or Media Item.
Track List
Where more than one track contains MIDI item, this selects which track is to be made active in the MIDI editor.
Channel
Use this to select a channel from 1 to 16 for current editing (or choose All).
Tip: The View, Piano Roll Timebase menu includes the options source beats, project beats and project time.
MIDI data is always defined in beat-based terms, but in the time view mode the grid is adjusted to reflect any
tempo changes in the project. If there are no tempo changes, the beat and time views will be identical. You also
have the option to select Project synced. This synchronizes the timeline of the project and MIDI item together.
It also ensures that both windows are synchronized during such actions as zooming and scrolling.
The Main Window
The main window by default consists of two panels. The larger (top) panel displays your MIDI notes. Here you
do your editing. The default view is Piano Roll View. Click on any piano key to play that note. The smaller
(bottom) panel is the CC lane, used to display various information, such as note velocity or pitch.
Move your mouse over the main window area (where the notes are displayed) and you can see your mouse
cursor displayed as a pencil. This indicates the current edit position, for example for inserting notes. Both the
position on the timeline and that on the piano roll are shown in the top left corner, just beneath the toolbar.
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The Scroll Bars
The MIDI Editor window includes vertical and horizontal scroll bars which can be used to navigate and zoom in
and out of the contents of the MIDI item(s).
The CC Lane(s)
By default, Velocity information is shown in the CC lanes. To change this,
either
:
Click on the drop down arrow (right) to see a menu of items (including standard
MIDI control messages) that you can choose to display in the CC Lane instead of
velocity. A small selection of the available choices are shown
on the right,
or
Click on the small + button next to the drop down list arrow
to add extra CC lanes. Select any item from the list to display
in the selected lane.
Right-clicking over the shaded area at the edge of the top border
of a CC lane will produce a menu that can be used to hide a CC lane, clear it, change its
contents (Set lane), or add an extra lane.
To remove a lane from view, click on the small minus sign that appears to the
immediate right of its drop down arrow.
Provided the lane height is tall enough, the existence of CC messages can also be
seen on the MIDI item in the main window (see right).
13.7
Control Change Messages
Control change messages are used to change the status of a MIDI parameter. If using an actual MIDI device,
these messages can be used to physically control the foot pedals, volume sliders, modulation wheels, and other
controls on electronic instruments. Within REAPER, control change messages can simulate this effect when
playing back your MIDI data thru a software synthesizer.
Controller data is used for various purposes. The different controller data streams are numbered from 0 to 127.
Some of these controller numbers are industry standard. For example, controller 7 is generally used to control
volume and controller 10 for panning. A control change message has two parts. The first is the control change
number, which determines which parameter is to be set. The second is the desired value for that parameter. For
example, first, you might send a CC #7 message to specify that you want to adjust volume. Next, you send a
value that sets the actual volume level required.
A control change message can act as either an
override
(setting the parameter to the exact value specified), or
an
offset
(adjusting the parameter up or down by the amount specified).
MSB and LSB
MSB and LSB stand for
Most Significant Byte
and
Least Significant Byte
respectively. MSB control change
messages typically act as coarse controls, while LSB messages generally allow fine adjustments. Some control
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change messages have both MSB and LSB versions. Most MIDI devices that contain sounds/patches respond to
both Bank Select MSB and LSB control change messages.
Some of the more commonly used cc parameters are listed below. Don’t worry if you don’t understand them all.
You should consult your MIDI device’s documentation for more details.
Parameter
Description
Bank Select MSB
Bank Select LSB
Many MIDI devices offer a total of more than 128 instruments, in which case
these instruments are grouped into banks. Thus, depending on the device, a full
program change message might consist of five parts – cc #0 (Bank Select),
followed by the Sound Bank MSB value, then cc #32 (Bank Select LSB) followed
by the Sound Bank LSB value, then finally the Program Change number.
Program change numbers are discussed in more detail in the sub sections that
follow after this one.
Velocity
The measure of the speed with which a key on a keyboard is pressed.
A lane is also available for Note Off Velocity.
Mod Wheel
This can add vibrato or other changes to a sound.
Breath
Varies from 0 (no force) up to 127 (high force).
Portamento
Determines the smoothness of the glide from note to note
Balance
Typically used to adjust the volume of stereo parts without affecting the panning.
Expression
Used to create relative volume changes.
Sound Timbre
The property of a sound that gives it its unique “color”.
Sound Release
Determines how long it takes for a sound to fade out.
Sound Attack
Controls how long it takes for a sound to fade in.
Sound Brightness
This adjusts a sound’s filter cutoff, allowing you to create filter “sweeps”.
13.8
Control Channel Basics
MIDI Data Control Channel (CC) messages can be recorded during live
performance, and edited or manually entered using the CC lane in the
MIDI Editor. The CC Lane appears at the bottom of the MIDI Editor.
Data is displayed horizontally according to its position on the Timeline,
and vertically according to the value of the data.
Most CC data has a value of 0 at the bottom of the CC Lane, and 127
at the top of the CC Lane. The example (right) shows Velocity.
Exceptions to this rule include Pitch, Pan and Pan Position, which are
displayed as positive or negative variations from a centre line.
The information displayed in the CC Lane is selected from the drop-
down list at the left of the window. CC Data is entered or edited by
dragging the mouse to the required value. To delete an event, select
it, then press Delete.
The Mouse Modifiers page of REAPER's Preferences includes the ability
to customize left drag and double-click behavior when working with
MIDI CC events.
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Documents you may be interested
Documents you may be interested
