Overdrive Authoring

As mentioned in the Authoring Docs, when authoring Overdrive it is best to have multiple MIDI Parts open within the same MIDI Editor Window. These steps can help to balance OD placement and ensure that Unison phrases are added correctly.

To Open Multiple MIDI Parts:

Using Ctrl+Left Click select MIDI Items PART DRUMS, PART BASS, and PART GUITAR.

Figure 1: Select Multiple MIDI Tracks in REAPER.

When all three parts are highlighted, use the Ctrl+Alt+E command to open all selected MIDI items in a single Editor Window. When you have done this, all three MIDI items will be visible. The part that is on top will be colored, while the parts underneath will be grayed out. Parts can only be edited when they are on top.

Figure 2: Use Ctrl+Alt+E to Merge Selected MIDI tracks.

If you then draw an Overdrive Phrase in the top window, then use the U command, Reaper will burn that phrase through all opened MIDI parts, creating a Unison Phrase.

Figure 3: Press U to Turn an Overdrive Phrase into a Unison Phrase.

When you have written all of your Unison Phrases, you can then use the Alt+N command to cycle through the open parts to add single instrument Overdrive Phrases. It is also possible to move a MIDI part to the top by clicking on a grayed-out note from it.

Figure 4: Press Alt+N to Switch Between MIDI Tracks.