First Hurdle

I'm brand spankin' new to Reaper(just downloaded it yesterday) and I've already run into my first problem. Any Midi files I import into the program seem to import fine but there is no play back. I recorded from my Casio using Red Dot Forever, then 'Inserted' the midi file into Reaper. I press "play" and the track rolls along like normal, but there is no sound. Is this a configuration problem(plugins, etc.) or a compatibility problem? also hi there, forum people.

Do you have your MIDI interface set up in Reaper? Do you have the MIDI track output pointing to the MIDI out of your interface?

The midi has to be playing into something like a VSTI effect or if you are going back out to your keyboard through midi then you have to have your audio outs of the keyboard coming back in through preamps. Do you have a VSTI instrument loaded so the midi has anything to play because that midi file is just note and pedal information...not any sounds. Welcome to the Reaper forum and hey to a NC'er :) cam

Welcome... have a good one 3Eo

MIDI itself is just a data stream - you'll get no sound unless you use it to play a hardware synth virtual instrument. You need either to direct its output to your hardware synth, or insert a VSTi (such as ReaSynth)into the track FX chain, or (if using Windows) click on the track's IO button and add a hardware send to Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth (if available).

I played around with inserting VSTs into the FX track and actually got some play back.. so at least I'm gettin' started.. although several of the effects and VSTs have rough sound. They're coming in scratchy and not playing well at all. Is there a way to improve this? extremely helpful, by the way. ty guys also thanks for the link, otter.