ReaLearn Quick Start

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started with ReaLearn and a MIDI controller:

1. Start REAPER.

2. If you haven’t already done it, install ReaLearn via ReaPack.

3. Make sure your MIDI controller is enabled in Options → Preferences… → Audio → MIDI Devices

   • For the MIDI input device (control), tick Enable input from this device and untick Enable input for control messages.

   • For the MIDI output device (feedback), tick both Enable output to this device and Do not send reset messages.

     Note	The option Do not send reset messages isn’t available in older REAPER versions. If you don’t use any external hardware synths, you can untick the global options Reset on: Play and Reset on: Stop instead!

4. Make sure the MIDI device is not in use as a REAPER control surface (in Options → Preferences…​ → Control/OSC/web).

5. Check if there’s an existing controller preset for your MIDI controller (this is optional but can make things easier).

   • Extensions → ReaPack → Browse packages…

   • Type "realearn controller" in the Filter field.

   • You should see a list of ReaLearn controller presets.

   • If you find your controller in the list, right-click it, choose install and press OK.

6. Fire up an instance of ReaLearn

   • If you want your mappings to be specific to a particular project, create a new REAPER project or open an existing one. Right-click the track control panel and choose "Insert virtual instrument on new track…".

   • If you want your mappings to be automatically available in each of your projects, open REAPER’s global monitoring FX chain (View → Monitoring FX) instead.

   • Then choose "VSTi: ReaLearn (Helgoboss)"

7. Configure the ReaLearn instance

   • Select your controller’s MIDI device as Input and Output (if you have a controller that supports MIDI feedback).

   • If you have downloaded a controller preset:

     • Switch to Controller compartment and select the desired controller preset below.

     • This should fill the list below with so-called controller mappings.

     • When you are done, switch back to the Main compartment.

8. Add and learn your first mapping

   • Add a first mapping by pressing the Add one button.

     • A mapping appears that doesn’t do anything yet because it just has a dummy target.

   • Press Learn source and move a control element on your MIDI controller.

   • Press Learn target and move e.g. the volume fader of a track.

   • Now your control element should control the track volume.