Control Reaper DAW with Yamaha MX synthesizer

Download

You must download the file “ControlMap_MX.zip” (click on the name) and unzip the file in any folder you choose. Inside you will find a PDF guide (in English and in greek), one ReaperKeyMap file, and 2 pictures (schematics) with buttons and knobs along with the function assigned to every one of them.

Settings

To be able to work the Control Map, we must make some adjustments first in MX and in Reaper. I assume that you have already download and install the driver of MX for Windows. If you haven’t, please do and find help to do so. It’s really very easy.

1) Power on the MX and your computer. Press the DAW button in MX (on the left panel of the MX, see the picture with the schematic of the MX you have download). After you have entered in DAW mode in MX, press the 1 button in the MX. On the screen of the synth you will see the indication “REMOTE Template 01:HALionOne”. This setting is essential for the keymap to work. If you don’t see this message, press and hold the 1 button to cycle the settings and stop until it will show the correct message. You don’t have to set the MX every time you power it on because the MX will remember the setting until you change it again.  These were the changes you had to do in MX.

2) In Reaper it is essential to adjust the settings of the program. We must first set the USB MIDI as the picture below. I assume that you have made the MX to “talk” with the Reaper. If you haven’t done so, please read the manual of the MX or watch this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV9WkY4Zy_I) to install the MX in Reaper.

Let’s continue to the settings. Go to “Option” menu and choose the last sub menu “Preferences”. On the new window you will see the sub menu “Midi Devices” (scroll down to find the sub menu on the left). On the right part of the windows after selecting the “Midi Devices” will be displayed all the midi devices that are connected with Reaper. Double click on MX49/61-1 and set it to “Enable only”. Do the same with MX49/61-2 and set it in “Control” only. With these settings you filter the incoming data from MX so that when we press the keys in MX the Reaper will not accept the control data that these will mess up with the new Control Map we will install. 

3) In our last setting you must adjust the Jog Dial of the MX. In the same window, on the left, search and choose the “Playback” sub menu and set the settings as the picture below. 

Control Map

Please have in mind that the Control Map we will install in Reaper, will NOT destroy any other control maps and shortcuts. The new shortcuts of our new  Control Map will be added in.

Go to menu “Action” and choose the first option “Action List” (see the picture below).

You will not see these settings. You will see them after we install the Control Map. Click on the button “Import/Export” down on the left corner of the window. In the small menu that will be displayed click on “import”. On the new window got to the folder you have unziped the downloaded file and double click on the file “yamaha_MX.ReaperKeyMap”. All the functions for the buttons and the knobs of the MX that I have programmed will be inserted inside Reaper. You can list all the functions if on the window you have on your screen, write on the top of it (after Filter:) the letters “MX”. This will list all the 39 functions (as the picture above) and you can delete or modify whatever you like. Finally, click on “Close” on the down right corner of the windows. Please REMEMBER that for the functions to work the MX must be in “DAW mode” (the button DAW must be on).

The pictures below are for your reference about the association of function to button or knob.

Finally

I hope that my work will help you to be more productive and produce better music. You can visit my site  http://panos.dukes.gr and comment in this article, read my other posts and if you find them useful please donate any amount you like to help continue researching and write articles about computers and synthesizers. Thank you and happy producing.