This article explains how to set up Osmose within Cockos Reaper 7.
Configuring the DAW's MIDI settings
First, select and configure the Osmose USB MIDI ports. Open Reaper's Preferences and go to Audio -> MIDI Inputs.
Of the five Osmose ports you find there, activate 'Input' and 'All' only for USB MIDI Port 1 (play), which is simply called 'Osmose 49' or 'Osmose 61' on Windows PCs. If you intend to integrate Osmose's internal sound engine as an external hardware instrument to your DAW, also activate 'Input' for the second Port (sound engine). You can leave ports 3 (din interface), 4 (daw control), and 5 (haken) unchecked, or right-click and 'ignore' them for a less polluted experience.
Under macOS you will have clearly named ports:
Move on to the MIDI Outputs. Again, if you wish to integrate Osmose's internal sound engine as an external hardware instrument in your DAW, you can enable Port 2 (MIDIOUT2 or 'sound engine'). You can send a Clock signal to Port 1 (play), which is the standard clock source of Osmose's arpeggiator (see midi i/o tab -> ext clock source). The other ports can left blank or even set to be ignored.
Make sure to deactivate all "Reset by" and "Reset on" options in the bottom line of the window.
Using Osmose as an MPE controller in Reaper
When controlling external instruments inside your DAW, use USB MIDI Port 1 (play) of Osmose exclusively. On your Windows PC, Port 1 will simply be called "Osmose 49" or "Osmose 61". Take this into account for all the following instructions:
Choose a compatible configuration for Osmose's External MIDI Mode
Enter the config menu of External MIDI mode and select the configuration preset that the plugin you wish to control supports.
For this tutorial, we assume the plugin you want to control supports MIDI Polyphonic Expression, so you can take advantage of all the per-note expression that Osmose's keybed offers.
Select the config preset "mpe". This will make Osmose send MIDI messages according to the MPE specification on Port 1 (play).
Creating an instrument track with Osmose as the input device
Create a new MIDI track with a virtual instrument on it e.g. by right-clicking in the left part of the Reaper GUI in an empty space. Choose an MPE-compatible plugin and record-arm the track. This will give you direct access to the MIDI input selection where you need to choose Port 1 (play) of Osmose. Make sure the Source channel is set to "All Channels".
Configure MPE interpretation in the plugin
Note that for some MPE-compatible plugins, you must also enable MPE functionality within the plugin. Check your plugin’s manual to learn about its MPE workflow. When MPE is activated in the plugin, 'Pressure' will be controlled by Osmose's Initial Pressure axis and 'CC74 (MPE Timbre/Slide)' is controlled by Osmose's Aftertouch axis. For more details, see config menu.
Ideally, in MPE synths, the maximum MPE note pitch bend range (Axe X) should be set to +-48 semitones, which is the defacto MPE standard. This setting is required for the Pressure Glide feature in playing menu of Omose to work correctly. It's also required to make the ‘bending range’ in Osmose (Ext Midi mode > sensitivity menu > bending tab) show the correct per-note bending range in semitones.
Integrating Osmose as an external instrument in Reaper
When you plan to record performances on your Osmose as MIDI messages inside your DAW and play them back into Osmose, use USB MIDI Port 2 (sound engine) of Osmose exclusively, see Osmose USB MIDI ports. On your PC, Port 2 will be called "MIDIIN2 Osmose" (or "MIDIOUT2 Osmose"). Take this into account for all the following instructions.
Select the suiting midi i/o settings on Osmose for integration into a DAW setup
Head to Osmose's midi i/o tab. Set 'haken local control' to "off" to cut the direct connection between Osmose's keybed and its sound engine.
We will reestablish that connection by routing your playing through your DAW first, before it enters the internal sound engine.
Attention: With 'haken local control' set to "off", your playing on Osmose will only sound when its track in your DAW is armed.
Enabling MPE+ input from Osmose and MPE+ output to Osmose in your DAW
Open Reaper's Preferences and select “MIDI devices" on the left. Find "Osmose Port 2" (or "MIDIIN2 (Osmose)" on Windows systems) in the MIDI inputs list and activate the "Input" and "All" options by clicking in the column so a dot • appears. In the MIDI output list, find "Osmose Port 2" (or "MIDIOUT2 (Osmose) on Windows systems) and enable it. Make sure to deactivate all "Reset by" and "Reset on" options in the bottom line of the window.
Creating a MIDI track with Osmose as input and output device
Create a new track and record-arm the track. This will give you direct access to the MIDI input selection where you need to choose "Osmose Port 2 (sound engine)", and again be sure you forward all channels.
In the Mixer, open the "Sends, Receives, and Hardware Output options" by clicking the green-yellow dashes button. Select "Osmose Port 2" for the MIDI Hardware Output and make sure to "Send to original channels".
Set Record Monitoring to AUTO or ON by clicking on the speaker symbol 🔈 left to the Record arm button. Reaper should now forward incoming MIDI from Osmose's keyboard back to Osmose's internal sound engine. You are now ready to record, edit, and playback Osmose performances in Reaper.
