How to Sync Reaper With the Metronome on a MIDI Keyboard

Reaper's timing can be synchronized to your MIDI keyboard's clock by making the right settngs.

Reaper provides a virtual recording environment with multitrack MIDI and audio. Syncing Reaper's metronome to an external MIDI keyboard's internal clock lets you keep your connected MIDI instruments playing in the same tempo. You can sync the Reaper audio workstation clock with your MIDI keyboard's metronome in less than 10 minutes. You will have to make MIDI configurations in Reaper and set your MIDI keyboard's internal clock to external control.

Things You'll Need

• USB cable

Instructions

1. Connect your MIDI keyboard to your computer with the USB cable. Plug one end of the cable into the USB port on the back of the keyboard, and the other end into an available USB port on your computer. Install any drivers for your keyboard if they are not already installed.

2. Open Reaper and make the proper MIDI settings. Double-click the Reaper icon on your desktop, then click "Options," "Preferences" and "MIDI devices." Right-click your MIDI keyboard's name from the list to open the "Configure Output" screen. Select "Enable output to this device" and "Send clock/SPP to this device," then click "OK."

3. Set your MIDI keyboard's internal clock to external synchronization. Press the "Utility" button, navigate down to the "Sync" option with the arrow buttons, then press "Enter." Press the arrow buttons to select the "EXT" option, then press "EXIT." Your keyboard's internal clock will be synced to Reaper.

Tips & Warnings

• The process for setting a MIDI keyboard's sync options may vary depending on model. Refer to the keyboard owner's manual for specific instructions for your particular model in case it requires another method of accessing its MIDI sync settings.

References

• Reaper: Reaper User Guide
• Yamaha: KX Series Owner's Manual