This article explains how to set up Osmose within Cockos Reaper 7. The first chapter deals with using Osmose as an MPE controller, and the second chapter shows how to integrate it as an external instrument, recording performances as MIDI messages and playing them back into Osmose's EaganMatrix.

Using Osmose as an MPE controller in Reaper

When controlling external instruments inside your DAW, use USB MIDI Port 1 (Play port) of Osmose exclusively, see: Connect Osmose to your computer. On your Windows PC, Port 1 will simply be called "Osmose". Take this into account for all the following instructions:

Choose MPE configuration for Osmose's External MIDI Mode

On Osmose, enter the config menu of External MIDI mode and select the "mpe" configuration.

This will make Osmose send MIDI messages according to the MPE specification on Port 1.

Enabling MIDI input from Osmose in your DAW

Open Reaper's Preferences and select “MIDI devices" on the left. Find "Osmose Port 1" (or simply "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. Then make sure to deactivate all "Reset by" and "Reset on" options in the bottom line of the window.

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 "Osmose -> All Channels"

Configure MPE interpretation in the plugin

Be aware that for some MPE-compatible plugins, MPE functionality must also be activated from 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 Initial Pressure axis and 'CC74 (MPE Timbre/Slide)' is controlled by Osmose's Aftertouch axis. For more details, see config menu.
In most MPE synths, the maximum MPE note pitch bend range (Axe X) is set to +-48 semitones by default. Adjust the ‘bending range’ fraction on Osmose (Ext Midi mode > sensitivity menu > bending tab) for a more playable range. Example: When the maximum pitch bend range in your external synth is set to 48 semitones, set the fraction in Osmose to 1/48 to end up with a +/-1 semitone range for note bend gestures.

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 (Haken port) of Osmose exclusively, see: Connect Osmose to your computer. 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 'usb haken mode' to "1/3 note only" to ensure Osmose sends MPE+ messages on Port 2. Set 'haken local control' to "off" to route your playing through your DAW before triggering the instrument. Attention: With 'haken local control' set to "off", Osmose will only sound when its track in your DAW is armed.

It's the classic workflow of listening to your performance ‘as recorded on tape’ instead of monitoring the source directly. It will make sure that your performance sounds identical during recording and playback.

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 by right-clicking in the left part of the Reaper GUI in an empty space or pressing Ctrl+T. Record-arm the track. This will give you direct access to the MIDI input selection where you need to choose "Osmose Port 2 -> 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 the incoming MIDI from Osmose's keyboard back to the internal sound engine of Osmose. You are now ready to record, edit, and playback Osmose performances in Reaper.