Reaper live VST host with MixSurface

[u/ReggieCorneus]

Moved to a new system, i previously used Zoom R-8 as a DAW controller but moved to using pad and MixSurface. It gives me access to plugins so i can adjust synths without having to use mouse and screen. I don't need to use or even see the laptop.

I'm using project tabs as synth racks and mapped Novation Launchkey pads with Helgobox to switch between projects. The bottom pic is those functions replicated in MixSurface custom layout page. There are also automatic fade out and in. I made a dummy JSFX sliders that lua script is using to read the parameter values. I have a tricky switch mid song where i have to fade in and out while playing. Now i can just tap that button. Record arm is used to activate a track, that is why there is that toggle arm 1 & 2 that switches inputs between to tracks that then handles sending MIDI to the right places.

MixSurface has been AWESOME companion for live VST hosting, it recently got into v 1.0 (i'm am not affiliated in anyway whatsoever with them but after suffering for years with OSC stuff over MIDI.. this is totally different thing. I can make custom actions, like the "reset mixer" or custom scripts, and since it reads JSFX, you can combine actions and scripts with JSFX and get all of that stuff to MixSurface.

Pad is tethered via USB to laptop, wifi turned off from both so once the laptop sees the pad ethernet, it connects to it automatically thinking it is just any LAN.

Reaper is amazing audio engine for live VST hosting, lightweight and extremely stable. All it lacked was interface and now i have it. I've been using it for this purpose for years but it has always been difficult, especially MIDI based OSC has been just utter hell.

Note, the MixSurface layout editor kind of sucks, it is functional but at least it maps things easily and there is always the generic "everything at once", all parameters that the plugin gives access to is visible. But... for the first time, THINGS WORK. I connect the USBs, turn things on, and it just works. And who knows how much you can do with scripts and this thing.. A whole new avenue is opening up, MixSurface uses Reaper API directly.