02 ‐ Installation and Folder Structure - FunkybotsEvilTwin/CSIUserGuide GitHub Wiki

Minimum System Requirements

CSI version 7.0 requires Reaper version 6.79 or later.

Note: The minimum Reaper version for CSI may change due to updates in Reaper, your operating system, or CSI itself. If you’ve followed the installation instructions but CSI doesn’t appear in the "Add surface" dropdown in Reaper’s Control/OSC/Web preferences, try upgrading Reaper to the latest version and retry.

Windows

  • Operating System: 64-bit Windows
  • Additional Requirement: CSI requires the Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable Package. You likely already have it, but if not, can download it from the official Microsoft site: Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable Package.

Mac

  • Operating System: macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later
  • Support: IntelMac and Native Apple Silicon support

Linux

  • Not officially supported at this time.

Download the CSI Plugin and the Support Files

The latest version of CSI and Support Files can be downloaded from CSI v7 Install and Support Files.

Once on that page you will:

  1. Press the green Code button near the top of the page.
  2. Select the Download Zip option.
  3. Download the zip file.

Then continue with the CSI Installation instructions below.

CSI Installation

  1. Locate the Reaper Resource Path: Run the Reaper action Show REAPER resource path in finder (Mac) or Show REAPER resource path in explorer (Windows).
  2. Close Reaper.
  3. Extract CSI Files: Open the downloaded CSI .zip file.
  4. Install the Plugin:
    • Windows: Copy reaper_csurf_integrator64.dll into the UserPlugins folder in the Reaper resource path.
    • Mac: Copy the .dylib file into the same UserPlugins folder.
  5. Install Support Files: If this is your first time setting up CSI, follow the steps under Installing CSI Support Files. It's recommended that you only install the support files for your surface(s).
  6. Restart Reaper
  7. Mac Security Warning:
    • If prompted about the .dylib file, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy and allow the file to run.
    • Restart Reaper and repeat the process if needed until no warnings appear.
    • If you need more detailed instructions, see Apple can’t check app for malicious software

Installing CSI Support Files

The first-time setup includes creating a specific folder structure for CSI within the Reaper resource path. This includes folders for surfaces and zones to quickly get started with common control surfaces.

Steps

  1. Open your Reaper resource path in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).

    • To find the resource path in Reaper, go to Options > Show REAPER resource path in explorer/finder.

  2. Extract the CSI folder from the .zip file into your Reaper resource path.

    • This will create a base folder named CSI.

  3. Inside the CSI folder, ensure there is a Surfaces folder where individual sub-folders for your surfaces will reside. You only need to install surface files for devices you will be using with CSI.

  4. Be sure to also include the ZoneRawFXFiles folder.

  5. Verify the folder structure matches the example below:

Example Directory Structure

CSI/
├── csi.ini
├── Surfaces/
│   ├── XTouch/
│   │   ├── surface.txt
│   │   ├── FXZones/
│   │   │   └── AutoGeneratedFXZones/
│   │   └── Zones/
│   │       ├── GoZones/
│   │       ├── HomeZones/
│   │       └── LearnZones/
│   ├── XTouch_One/
│   │   ├── surface.txt
│   │   ├── FXZones/
│   │   │   └── AutoGeneratedFXZones/
│   │   └── Zones/
│   │       ├── GoZones/
│   │       ├── HomeZones/
│   │       └── LearnZones/
│   ├── MIDIFighterTwister/
│   │   ├── surface.txt
│   │   ├── FXZones/
│   │   │   └── AutoGeneratedFXZones/
│   │   └── Zones/
│   │       ├── GoZones/
│   │       ├── HomeZones/
│   │       └── LearnZones/
├── ZoneRawFXFiles/

Tip: Ensure folder names do not contain spaces or special characters other than underscores (_).

Setting Up CSI for the First Time

Now that CSI is and the support files are installed, follow the below instructions to set it up within Reaper.

  1. Disable MIDI Ports: CSI needs to be able to access the MIDI Ports so they must be disabled in Reaper.
    • Go to Reaper's Preferences > Audio > MIDI Inputs.
    • Uncheck the "Input", "All", and "Control" boxes for any surfaces you will use with CSI
    • Next go to Reaper's Preferences > Audio > MIDI Output.
    • Uncheck the "Enabled" box for any surfaces you will use with CSI
    • Skipping this step is a common cause of first-time setup issues.

MIDI Input Setup

MIDI Output Setup

  1. Add CSI as a Control Surface:

    • Go to Options > Preferences > Control/OSC/Web.
    • Click Add and select "Control Surface Integrator" from the dropdown.
    • Uncheck the box: "Close control surface devices when stopped and not active application" (optional, depending on your workflow).

  2. Configure Devices:

    • In the "Surfaces" section, click Add MIDI or Add OSC depending on your device type.
    • For MIDI surfaces:
      • Enter a name.
      • Select the corresponding MIDI In/Out ports.
    • For OSC surfaces:
      • Enter a name.
      • Specify the IP address and port numbers for communication with the OSC host software.

Control/OSC/Web

Add CSI

  1. Set Up Pages and Assignments:
    • Define a default page (e.g., "HomePage").
    • Assign control surfaces to the page.
    • Configure settings such as channel count, start position, and surface folder.

CSI Preferences Screen Print

See the Setting Up Your Control Surfaces chapter for additional information.

Updating CSI

To update CSI:

  1. Download the latest version from the CSI GitHub repository.
  2. Replace the .dll or .dylib file in your UserPlugins folder with the new version.
  3. Launch Reaper.

Warning: Do not overwrite your customized CSI.ini, .zon files, or zone folders unless you intend to revert to default settings. Back up your files before updating.

Troubleshooting Tips

If CSI doesn’t appear in the "Add surface" dropdown:

  1. Verify your Reaper version meets the minimum requirements.
  2. Check that the plugin file is in the correct UserPlugins folder.
  3. Ensure Microsoft Visual C++ runtime is installed (Windows).
  4. On Mac, confirm that security permissions for the .dylib file are properly configured.

Double-check your Reaper resource path for correct folder structure and file placement.