Can not get AcouFiend (or any other plugin/VST) to "MIDI Learn" in Reaper

[mdb_bluecat]

Dear All:

My apologies in advance for what is more a REAPER question than an AcouFiend / Blue Cat one (I've posted this to the former forum, without much in the way of reply of success).

While admittedly a newbie to REAPER, I've been using this (Windows version) to good effect in conjunction with a Focusrite Scarlett 3rd Gen interface, and a variety of stomp / effects plugins for guitar and bass. I'm enjoying AcouFiend very much.

Less related, but still relevant to the question, with a variety of MIDI-based controllers I can play synth and piano parts using virtual instruments as FX within REAPER. So all good there.

However, for the life of me, I can not get AcouFiend (or any other package) to "MIDI Learn" such that I can control them with footswitches or expression pedals, or even keyboard controller / pad presses and the like.

I've read and/or watched a number of tutorials on this sort of thing, but either the author's REAPER is skinned differently such that I can't quite follow with fresh, stock installation of REAPER, or the author's starting point in the demonstration is beyond what I'm able to initially reproduce.

Keeping things relatively simple for starters:

i) I've acquired a Nektar Pacer (much of its functionality is admittedly beyond my ability level right now...) for which, at the moment, I just want to use to send MIDI messages to control effects.

ii) Further simplifying things, I also have other, simpler footswitches and expression pedals correctly connected to the PC via MIDI that I'd also like to use, and for that matter can serve to illustrate the problem here.

iii) Using the "Pocket MIDI" testing / monitoring app, I know every single one of my MIDI-based footswitches, keyboards, other controllers etc. are correctly connected to the PC, properly configured, and sending appropriate and discrete messages. So I know the device(s) ---> PC setup part is OK.

iv) Within AcouFiend, I can, using the *mouse*, engage / turn off the feedback, change the harmonic, etc. I correctly hear the resultant effect. I take this to mean that the plugin is functioning properly, and it and REAPER are playing nice, at least with respect to REAPER and my interface processing the *audio*.

v) Further, using REAPER and various MIDI controller devices such as a keyboard controller, and loading (for example) a piano VST in REAPER, I can open a track, arm it, choose a particular MIDI device, load the instrument, and play. I can see the input light up in the REAPER interface upon e.g. keypress on the MIDI controller that I've selected for that track. I take this to mean that REAPER can correctly see my MIDI devices, and thus we are good from the controller/footswitch ---> PC ---> Windows ---> REAPER standpoint.

vi) However, I've been completely unsuccessful at getting AcouFiend (or any other plugin) to "MIDI Learn". I located a tutorial suggesting that one open and arm a track for MIDI input, (either a MIDI single device or all devices) then route that track into the audio input track from which I call the plugin. I've tried this to the best of my ability. (I am absolutely new to routing, and ignorant how that works, and thus I could be messing this up...) Nothing happens. It is as if the MIDI message is not sensed, though within REAPER I can see the lights corresponding to MIDI activity on that MIDI track.

It is as if the MIDI instructions are not being passed through REAPER to the plugin.

If someone could point me toward a very basic document or video (ideally one which starts with a completely clean, uncustomized REAPER) or perhaps provide a few very basic, idiot-proof bullet points (like, what to click -- that level of idiot-proof) to enable "MIDI Learn", I would be forever grateful.

The existing docs and tutorials -- at least the ones I've found to date -- are over my head. I'm really trying to avoid moving to another DAW, as I otherwise like REAPER very much, and have invested the time and licensing expense such that I'd rather not just abandon it. However I'd also welcome any insights as to alternative DAWs that this community have found to "just work" with respect to MIDI Learn capability, with no or minimal configuration & headaches.

Again, I realize that this is likely a REAPER (more like REAPER user...) issue, though here's hoping someone on this forum might be familiar with that DAW and with what I am trying to accomplish.

Thank you very much,
-Michael

[Blue Cat Audio]

I remember having had trouble figuring out the routing in Reaper a long time ago. The main problem is to make sure that MIDI monitoring is on so that real time MIDI events go to the plug-in.

Also, you may want to try several plug-in formats (typically VST2 or VST3) to see if there is any difference.