

You can also use this window to change many other MIDI settings, but we won’t be looking at those in this tutorial. Before you close the window, select Enable output as well. Once this menu is open, locate your MIDI device, right-click it, and select Enable input. To do this, select Options>Preferences>MIDI Devices.

The next step for using a MIDI keyboard controller in REAPER is configuring the settings in the Preferences menu. Looking for an excellent little MIDI keyboard that doesn’t break the bank? Check our top pick here. Now that your MIDI controller is connected correctly, we can move on. In that case, connect it to your audio interface by plugging the correct MIDI cable into your MIDI keyboard first, followed by a 5-pin MIDI input on your audio interface. If your device does not have a USB MIDI output and only has a 5-pin MIDI output. To connect your device to your computer, use a USB MIDI cable and plug it into your MIDI keyboard first and then a USB input on your computer. I find it much easier to connect a MIDI keyboard this way.

If your device has USB MIDI outputs, I recommend using this method of connectivity rather than the 5-pin MIDI method. The first step for using a MIDI keyboard controller in REAPER is connecting the device to your audio interface or computer.
