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MIDI Item as midi file or item on track template

 Nice 👍 you’ve narrowed it down to two solid workflows for reusing MIDI in Reaper:

🔹 Option 1: Track Template with MIDI Item

  • You save a track template that already includes a MIDI item on it.

  • When you insert the template, you instantly get the track, FX, and MIDI together.

✅ Pros

  • Super fast: one click = full instrument + MIDI clip ready to play.

  • Great if the MIDI is always paired with a specific sound (e.g., drum groove with a drum VST).

  • Perfect for “building block” templates (chord progressions, drum kits, bass riffs).

❌ Cons

  • The MIDI is locked to that template → if you want the same MIDI with a different instrument, you’ll need another template.

  • Harder to organize if you have hundreds of MIDI ideas.

  • Not ideal for quickly auditioning many MIDI loops with different sounds.

🔹 Option 2: Export MIDI Files into a Folder + Use Media Explorer

  • Save your MIDI items as .mid files in a dedicated folder.

  • Pin that folder in Media Explorer for fast drag-and-drop.

  • You can audition and reuse MIDI in any project with any instrument.

✅ Pros

  • More flexible: use the same MIDI on different instruments and tracks.

  • Easy to organize into categories (chords, drums, bass, melodies, etc.).

  • Works like a personal MIDI loop library inside Reaper.

  • You can audition MIDI in Media Explorer directly through the track’s VSTi (if preview is enabled).

❌ Cons

  • Slightly slower than templates (you still drag the MIDI onto a track).

  • Doesn’t automatically load an instrument — you must have a track with FX ready first.

🔹 My Suggestion

Use both, but with different purposes:

  • Track Templates with MIDI items → For “ready-to-go” setups where the MIDI is tied to a specific sound (e.g., drum groove + drum VST). One click and you’re composing.

  • MIDI Library in Media Explorer → For a reusable, flexible collection of MIDI you can apply to any instrument. This is best if you want a library of patterns, loops, or progressions you can mix and match.

👉 If you want speed and consistency → Track Templates.
👉 If you want flexibility and reusability → MIDI folder + Media Explorer.

Would you like me to show you how to set up Media Explorer so you can audition MIDI loops live through your VST instrument before dragging them in (like a loop browser in other DAWs)?

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