-

Up and Running:
A REAPER User Guide v 5.70

Version 5.70
December 2017

This guide will be updated regularly as the software itself is further improved and developed.
Check for updates and other information at
http://www.cockos.com/reaper/

This document has been produced, compiled and rendered to PDF format using the
wonderful LibreOffice Writer software.

For more information about LibreOffice go to http://www.libreoffice.org

How to Use This Guide

REAPER is a sophisticated program and there is no single obvious or easy way or order to present all of the
information contained in this guide. If you need more information about any topic than appears on any
particular page, try searching! The PDF edition is bookmarked, and your PDF reader includes a Find feature on
its toolbar. Also, both the PDF and printed editions feature a comprehensive index. Use it!

For a bound printed hard copy of this User Guide go to LULU.com

1
Up and Running: A REAPER User Guide v 5.70

ReaRead: REAPER books and training manuals printed and bound are now available from
http://stores.lulu.com/spotlight/glazfolk

REAPER 4 Unleashed: Unlock Your Inner REAPER!

“REAPER Unleashed” picks up where "Up and Running".leaves off.
This book lifts the lid off REAPER's most powerful features, including custom actions, menus and toolbars,
FX chains, screensets, snapshots, templates, mouse modifiers and more. Many resources are supplied,
including files with sample mouse modifiers, track templates, custom toolbars and much more.
Its sample work files and dozens of step by step tutorials will help you to understand how you can use
these features in combination with each other to make REAPER behave for you the way you want it to.
Will it teach you everything that you could possibly ever want to know about REAPER? Most definitely not.
But will it help you unlock the creativity inside you to help you get the very best out of this program for
yourself? Most certainly, yes!

Up and Running: A REAPER User Guide

The essential and definitive guide to recording, editing and mixing with REAPER. Fully updated for
each dot version. Includes sample project files and step by step examples to help you learn how to
use the many features of REAPER.
Includes special sections on key REAPER features such as routing and audio channel splitting, as well
as numerous examples of how to use and apply many of the supplied FX plug-ins.
"Up and Running is not only a comprehensive guide to using REAPER, it's also full of an amazing
amount of information on audio recording and engineering. I simply cannot recommend it enough!" -
Justin Frankel (COCKOS Inc and REAPER Developer).

ReaMix: Breaking the Barriers with REAPER

This book does much more than just teach you how to use basic tools (such as volume, panning, EQ,
gates, compressors, delay, reverb etc.) to get an OK mix. It also guides you thru the relationships –
some simple, some complex – that exist between the dimensions of sound and the dimensions of
space. It guides you to use this knowledge to transform your OK mixes into great mixes.
Although not light on theory, it has a definite practical emphasis, with links to archives containing
some 40 or so project files, with step by step examples to help you put your knowledge into practice.
"Wow! So much good stuff - from mindbending advanced techniques to solid sensible advice. This
guide should have a positive effect on just about anybody interested in mixing (and especially those
using REAPER)!" - Justin Frankel, Cockos Inc, developer of REAPER.

For a bound printed hard copy of this User Guide go to LULU.com

2
 -

Foreword and Acknowledgements

REAPER isn’t just about software, and it isn’t just about making music. It’s about a whole lot more. REAPER is a whole
entity. It represents the way music should be, the way the internet should be, the way computers should be, the way
program development and licensing should be …. in fact, the way the world should be. It’s about collaboration and co-
operation, and it is truly awesome.
This User Guide could not have been produced without the help of many in the REAPER community, and especially:
Malcolm Jacobson for his efforts in getting together the first REAPER manual. Art Evans for his
technical advice and constructive input.
Mario Bianchi (aka Mabian) for his help with document formatting and layout and for his constructive
suggestions and ideas. Also, a special “thank you” for comprehensively checking the document.
Simon Mullings for his suggestions and the patient hours spent on the tedious job of proof-reading.
Darkstar and musicbynumbers for too many helpful suggestions to mention!!
Bevan Fowke (aka Bevosss) for his advice and assistance with custom actions and macros.
Susan G and Nathan (aka planetnine) for their assistance and advice, especially (but not exclusively)
on MIDI and especially notation editor matters.
Jason Brian Merrill for, amongst other things, review and comments.
Pipeline Audio for the original video tutorials. Xenakios, Jeffos and SWS for their extension sets.
And, of course … Justin, Christophe, Schwa and Jeffos, for bringing us REAPER
So welcome to REAPER! This User Guide is intended to get you up and running in REAPER, and to help you
understand better how the program works, so that ultimately you will better be able to help yourself.
If you are new to the world of digital audio, you’ll find that there is more than enough information in here to get you
“up and running”. You’ll probably find that some sections contain information that you’ll find difficult to understand
and which you might not need at first. You can just skip over those sections and come back to them when you’re
ready. If, like me, you have come to REAPER with experience of other DAW software, you’ll find that it pays to go
over even the most basic sections, to help you understand how REAPER is designed, and how it slots together. You’ll
find yourself asking, “Why can’t they all be like this?” You should also find plenty more to interest you.
It is not intended to be (and nor will it ever be) a 100% reference manual covering every single aspect and detail of
REAPER. I’ve tried to approach the topics in what seems a fairly sensible order, introducing items pretty much on a
“need to know” basis. In doing so, I’ve been as careful as I can be to ensure its contents are clear and accurate, but
cannot accept any responsibility for any errors or problems you may encounter in applying it to your work.

REAPER Web Resources

The REAPER project is a live, dynamic and ongoing one. Be sure to check these web sites often:
http://www.cockos.com/reaper/ The REAPER Home Page
http://www.cockos.com/reaper/download.php The REAPER Downloads Page
http://www.cockos.com/reaper/about.php REAPER Features summary
http://www.cockos.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=20 The REAPER Forums
http://www.cockos.com/wiki/ The REAPER Wiki

Sample Project Files

These are available for download from http://www.cockos.com/wiki/index.php/REAPER_User_Guide
Note that the links are case sensitive. The media files are in .MP3 format. Some of the examples outlined in this
book require recording further tracks in MP3 format. In order to be able to do this, you will need to have an
MP3 encoder installed in your REAPER program directory. The Lame encoder is included in the REAPER install
package: however, if you are using a much earlier version of REAPER, you might need to download this. You
can do so at any of a number of locations, including http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Lame_Encoder.htm
Be sure to select the correct file for your system. For example, for 32 bit Windows this will be lame_enc.dll.
After downloading the file, simply copy it into your REAPER program folder. Start REAPER, then open the
sample project file and play it. If you hear no sound, you should check the routing settings for your Master
Track and make sure that output is correctly directed to your sound device.

For a bound printed hard copy of this User Guide go to LULU.com

3
Up and Running: A REAPER User Guide v 5.70

What's New In This Edition ….

The table below summarizes the main feature changes introduced in REAPER 5.70. It may also include some
existing features that were previously not documented. The previous update before this was 5.60.
In addition to these, there are various bug fixes and performance enhancements. For a comprehensive list of all
changes, choose Help, Changelog from REAPER's main menu bar, or choose Options, Show REAPER
resource path... and double-click on the file whatsnew.txt to open it.

Changes in 5.70 Where ...

Track grouping: Up to 64 groups per project supported. Page 64

Add FX: Option to show FX grouped by categories and/or developers in FX window. Page 111
Add FX: Creating developer plug-in groups. Page 112
Regions: Copying and moving (summary table). Mouse modifiers added for project Page 169
marker/region edge and project region.
Creating and using overlapping regions. Page 171
New Ruler Display options. Page 180
Tempo/time signature marker insert/change options. Mouse modifiers added for Page 187
project tempo/time signature markers.
MIDI Editor actions: New actions to move cursor to start/end of measure. Pages 256 to 258
Tempo map/envelope now supports freehand drawing. Page 378
Parameter modulation under parameter MIDI control: more information (thank you Page 390
Darkstar!).
Editing Behavior, Mouse: New preference to allow/disallow manually adjusting ruler Page 439
height in Arrange view.

Author's Note: I recommend the use of Adobe software (such as Acrobat or Reader) for use with the PDF
version of this document. Document hyperlinks are available provided you have not enabled the option for using
the hand to select text. Click on the hyperlink to jump straight to that part of the document, then use Alt Left-
Arrow to return to where you were.
Adobe also offers you quite flexible search features which are referenced towards the end of this document, but
no guarantee is given that these will be available with different PDF reading software.

Note: With REAPER's rapid rate of development, this edition may not be 100% up to date. For a full list of new
and recent features, choose the Help, Changelog command from the REAPER menu. To check for the latest
versions of both REAPER and this User Guide, go to http://www.cockos.com/reaper/download.php

For a bound printed hard copy of this User Guide go to LULU.com

4
 Contents

Contents
1 Setting Up and Getting Started.........................................................................................17
1.1 Downloading REAPER............................................................................................................. 17
1.2 Installing REAPER on an OS X Mac.......................................................................................... 17
1.3 Installing REAPER on a Windows PC........................................................................................ 17
1.4 The Install Options (Windows only)......................................................................................... 18
1.5 Enabling MP3 Recording......................................................................................................... 18
1.6 REAPER Software Updates...................................................................................................... 19
1.7 Starting REAPER.................................................................................................................... 19
1.8 REAPER Startup Tips.............................................................................................................. 19
1.9 REAPER Selections, Controls and Commands............................................................................ 19
1.10 The REAPER Screen............................................................................................................. 20
1.11 The Track and Track Controls................................................................................................ 21
1.12 Setting Up For Audio............................................................................................................ 21
1.12.1 Setting Up For Audio (PC Windows)......................................................................................22
1.12.2 Setting Up For Audio (Mac OS X)..........................................................................................22
1.13 Input Aliasing...................................................................................................................... 23
1.14 Output Aliasing.................................................................................................................... 23
1.15 Setting Up For MIDI............................................................................................................. 24
1.16 Enabling VST Plug-ins........................................................................................................... 25
1.17 REAPER’s Installed Folders and File Location..........................................................................26
1.18 Localization and Language Packs........................................................................................... 28
1.19 Backing Up Settings............................................................................................................. 28
1.20 Running REAPER on a Flash Drive......................................................................................... 28
1.21 REAPER Start Menu Options (Windows only)..........................................................................29
1.22 REAPER File Types............................................................................................................... 30
1.23 User License Information...................................................................................................... 30
1.24 Pops and Clicks.................................................................................................................... 30
1.25 Uninstalling REAPER............................................................................................................. 30
2 REAPER Project Basics......................................................................................................31
2.1 Section Overview................................................................................................................... 31
2.2 Opening an Existing Project.................................................................................................... 31
2.3 Project Settings..................................................................................................................... 32
2.4 Directing Audio Output........................................................................................................... 33
2.5 The Transport Bar.................................................................................................................. 34
2.6 Track Controls....................................................................................................................... 35
2.7 Pan Law and Pan Mode.......................................................................................................... 36
2.8 Navigation and Zooming......................................................................................................... 36
2.9 Keyboard Shortcut and Mouse Defaults.................................................................................... 37
2.10 Using the Navigator.............................................................................................................. 38
2.11 Track FX Basics.................................................................................................................... 38
2.12 Using the Supplied FX Presets............................................................................................... 39
2.13 Controlling Track FX............................................................................................................. 40
2.14 FX Window and Keyboard Shortcuts...................................................................................... 41
2.15 Creating a Default FX Chain.................................................................................................. 41
2.16 Using an FX Bus................................................................................................................... 42
2.17 Analyzing FX Performance..................................................................................................... 44
2.18 The Big Clock....................................................................................................................... 45
2.19 Selections and Loops............................................................................................................ 45
2.20 Managing Time and Loop Selections...................................................................................... 46
2.21 Navigating by Jumping......................................................................................................... 47
2.22 Time and Loop Selections and the Transport Bar....................................................................47
2.23 Keeping a Window on Top.................................................................................................... 47

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Up and Running: A REAPER User Guide v 5.70

2.24 Item Names, Buttons and Icons............................................................................................ 48

2.25 REAPER Routing Essentials................................................................................................... 48
2.26 The Routing Matrix............................................................................................................... 49
2.27 Docking and Floating............................................................................................................ 50
2.28 The Undo History Window.................................................................................................... 51
2.29 REAPER's Right-Click Menus.................................................................................................. 51
2.30 Multiple Project Tabs............................................................................................................ 52
2.31 Opening Multiple Project Tabs Together.................................................................................52
2.32 Managing the Play Cursor..................................................................................................... 52
3 Recording Audio and MIDI................................................................................................53
3.1 Creating a New Project........................................................................................................... 53
3.2 Setting Media Project Options................................................................................................. 54
3.3 Saving the Project File............................................................................................................ 54
3.4 Creating and Naming Tracks................................................................................................... 55
3.5 To Prepare and Record One Track........................................................................................... 55
3.6 To Prepare and Record Multiple Tracks.................................................................................... 56
3.7 Auto Arming Tracks................................................................................................................ 57
3.8 Using the Metronome............................................................................................................. 57
3.9 Recording Stereo Tracks......................................................................................................... 58
3.10 Multi-Channel Recording....................................................................................................... 58
3.11 Track Templates.................................................................................................................. 59
3.12 Importing an Existing Project................................................................................................ 59
3.13 Project Templates................................................................................................................ 59
3.14 Layered Recording............................................................................................................... 60
3.15 Overdubbing and Punch Recording........................................................................................ 61
3.16 Non-Destructive Punch Recording.......................................................................................... 61
3.17 Destructive Punch Recording................................................................................................. 62
3.18 Fades and Crossfades........................................................................................................... 62
3.19 Recording Multiple Takes...................................................................................................... 62
3.20 Showing Takes in Lanes........................................................................................................ 63
3.21 Using Color Coded Takes...................................................................................................... 63
3.22 Working With Multiple Takes................................................................................................. 64
3.23 Overlapping Items................................................................................................................ 64
3.24 Recording Multiple Additional Items....................................................................................... 65
3.25 Recording with Empty Events................................................................................................ 65
3.26 Recording with Input FX Plug-ins........................................................................................... 66
3.27 Preserve PDC Delayed Monitoring in Recorded Items..............................................................66
3.28 Recording a Track’s Output................................................................................................... 67
3.29 Recording FX Bus Output...................................................................................................... 67
3.30 Recording MIDI.................................................................................................................... 67
3.31 Other MIDI Recording Modes................................................................................................ 69
3.32 Recording With a Virtual Instrument...................................................................................... 69
3.33 Using Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth................................................................................ 70
3.34 Looped Overdubbing and Looped Time Selection Recording.....................................................70
3.35 Recording with External Hardware FX....................................................................................71
3.36 Preference Settings for Recording.......................................................................................... 72
3.37 Track Preferences for Recording............................................................................................ 73
3.38 Projects with Mixed Formats................................................................................................. 73
3.39 REAPER Audio Recording Checklist........................................................................................ 74
3.40 Recording MIDI From Keyboard Check-List............................................................................. 74
3.41 Recording an Internet Audio Stream...................................................................................... 75
3.42 Converting Audio Media Item Format..................................................................................... 75
3.43 Recording Live Windows Output............................................................................................ 76
4 Importing Media: The Media Explorer..............................................................................77

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4.1 Introduction and Overview...................................................................................................... 77

4.2 Searching the Media Explorer.................................................................................................. 78
4.3 Media Item Preview............................................................................................................... 78
4.4 Inserting an Audio File as a New Take or Item.........................................................................79
4.5 Creating and Using a Media Explorer Database.........................................................................80
4.6 Replacing an Item's Source Media........................................................................................... 81
4.7 Automation Items.................................................................................................................. 82
4.8 Importing MIDI Files.............................................................................................................. 82
4.9 Importing Multichannel Audio Files.......................................................................................... 84
4.10 Import Formats.................................................................................................................... 84
4.11 Importing Media from Audio CD............................................................................................ 84
5 Project Arrangement Basics..............................................................................................85
5.1 Managing Tracks.................................................................................................................... 85
5.2 Track Control Modifiers........................................................................................................... 86
5.3 Solo In Front......................................................................................................................... 87
5.4 Auto-Naming Multiple Tracks.................................................................................................. 87
5.5 Searching the Preferences Settings.......................................................................................... 87
5.6 Track Colors.......................................................................................................................... 88
5.7 Color Themes........................................................................................................................ 89
5.8 Track Icons........................................................................................................................... 89
5.9 Track Layouts........................................................................................................................ 90
5.10 Headphone Monitoring......................................................................................................... 90
5.11 Creating a Headphone Mix.................................................................................................... 91
5.12 Displaying Grid Lines............................................................................................................ 92
5.13 Understanding Sends, Buses, Submixes and Folders................................................................93
5.14 Track Folder Essentials......................................................................................................... 94
5.14.1 Drag and Drop Folder Management......................................................................................95
5.14.2 Nested Folders....................................................................................................................96
5.15 Track and Track Parameter Grouping..................................................................................... 97
5.15.1 Basic Track Grouping...........................................................................................................97
5.15.2 Track Grouping Matrix Basic Controls....................................................................................99
5.15.3 Track Grouping Indicators....................................................................................................99
5.15.4 Master and Slave Group Relationships...................................................................................99
5.15.5 Track Grouping Window.......................................................................................................100
5.15.6 Track Grouping Window Basic Controls..................................................................................102
5.16 VU Meters on Multichannel Tracks......................................................................................... 102
5.17 VCA Grouping...................................................................................................................... 103
5.18 Audio Jogging and Scrubbing................................................................................................ 107
5.19 Default Toolbar Summary..................................................................................................... 108
5.20 SWS Extensions................................................................................................................... 108
6 Managing Track FX..........................................................................................................109
6.1 Grouping FX in Folders........................................................................................................... 109
6.2 Backing Up FX Chains and FX Presets...................................................................................... 110
6.3 Filtering Track FX................................................................................................................... 110
6.4 FX Browser Options................................................................................................................ 110
6.5 Replacing One FX With Another............................................................................................... 111
6.6 Copying Track FX................................................................................................................... 111
6.7 Adding Developers................................................................................................................. 112
6.8 FX Quick Display.................................................................................................................... 112
6.9 Moving Track FX.................................................................................................................... 112
6.10 Managing FX Parameters...................................................................................................... 112
6.11 Changing the Default FX Name.............................................................................................. 113
6.12 Renaming Track FX Instances............................................................................................... 113
6.13 Using Default FX Parameter Settings...................................................................................... 113

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Up and Running: A REAPER User Guide v 5.70

6.14 Hardware Output FX Monitoring............................................................................................ 113

6.15 Optimizing FX Performance................................................................................................... 114
6.16 FX Notes and Comments....................................................................................................... 114
6.17 Wet/Dry Mix and Bypass....................................................................................................... 114
6.18 Plug-in Delay Compensation.................................................................................................. 115
6.19 Opening a File in Recovery Mode........................................................................................... 115
6.20 Stem Rendering................................................................................................................... 115
6.21 Rendering a Group of Tracks to a Single Track.......................................................................116
6.22 Freezing and Unfreezing Tracks............................................................................................. 116
6.23 Vertical/Horizontal FX Tree Display........................................................................................ 118
6.24 Adding FX Comments........................................................................................................... 118
6.25 Installing Extra JS Plug-ins.................................................................................................... 118
6.26 Track Templates Revisited.................................................................................................... 118
6.27 ReaEffects User Guide Supplement........................................................................................ 118
6.28 Drag and Drop from FX Browser............................................................................................ 119
6.29 Audio Signal Flow Chart: Master Track...................................................................................119
6.30 Audio Signal Flow Chart: Tracks and Folders..........................................................................120
7 Editing Tracks and Items................................................................................................121
7.1 Using an External Editor......................................................................................................... 121
7.2 Editing Items in REAPER......................................................................................................... 121
7.3 REAPER's Smart Editing.......................................................................................................... 122
7.4 Standard Windows Editing...................................................................................................... 123
7.5 Editing Behavior Preferences................................................................................................... 125
7.6 Separating Loop Selection From Time Selection........................................................................125
7.7 Snapping with Combined Snap/Grid Settings............................................................................ 126
7.8 Snapping with Separate Snap and Grid Settings........................................................................126
7.9 Trim Behind When Editing...................................................................................................... 127
7.10 Item Take FX....................................................................................................................... 127
7.11 The Nudge/Set Items Window............................................................................................... 129
7.12 Media Item Properties.......................................................................................................... 130
7.13 Media Item Icons................................................................................................................. 131
7.14 Item Notes.......................................................................................................................... 131
7.15 Coloring Individual Items...................................................................................................... 132
7.16 Adjusting Item Volume......................................................................................................... 132
7.16.1 The Item Volume Knob/Item Volume Handle.........................................................................132
7.16.2 The Volume and Pan Faders.................................................................................................133
7.16.3 Normalizing Items...............................................................................................................133
7.17 Changing Item Channel Mode............................................................................................... 133
7.18 Take Source Properties......................................................................................................... 134
7.19 REAPER Editing and Auditioning Example............................................................................... 134
7.20 Editing Multiple Media Items................................................................................................. 136
7.21 Slip Editing.......................................................................................................................... 137
7.22 Adjusting Fades................................................................................................................... 137
7.23 Crossfades and the Crossfade Editor...................................................................................... 138
7.24 Grouping Items.................................................................................................................... 140
7.25 Storing and Recalling Item Groups......................................................................................... 141
7.26 Glue Selected Items............................................................................................................. 142
7.27 Creating and Copying Items in Pencil Mode............................................................................ 143
7.28 Propagating Items................................................................................................................ 143
7.29 Implode Items To One Track................................................................................................. 144
7.30 Insert Space in Selection....................................................................................................... 144
7.31 Ripple Editing...................................................................................................................... 145
7.32 Trim to Selected Area........................................................................................................... 146
7.33 Free Item Positioning........................................................................................................... 146
7.34 Mouse Modifiers................................................................................................................... 146

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7.35 Dynamic Splitting - Remove Silent Passages...........................................................................148

7.36 Auto Trim/Split Items........................................................................................................... 150
7.37 Spectral Peak Display........................................................................................................... 151
7.38 Spectrogram View and Spectral Editing.................................................................................. 153
8 Arranging, Comping and Editing Takes..........................................................................157
8.1 Using Item FX with Individual Takes........................................................................................ 157
8.2 Exploding Takes to Multiple Tracks.......................................................................................... 157
8.3 Crossfades with Takes............................................................................................................ 158
8.4 Exploding Takes in Place........................................................................................................ 158
8.5 Play All Takes........................................................................................................................ 158
8.6 Editing and Comping Multiple Takes and Multiple Tracks...........................................................159
8.7 Take Menu Command Summary.............................................................................................. 161
8.8 More Take Commands and Actions.......................................................................................... 162
8.9 Managing Comps with the Project Bay..................................................................................... 163
8.10 Propagating Takes............................................................................................................... 164
9 Loops, Markers and Regions...........................................................................................165
9.1 Creating Loops...................................................................................................................... 165
9.2 Creating and Navigating with Markers...................................................................................... 166
9.3 Time Selection Start/End Markers............................................................................................ 167
9.4 Snapping to Markers.............................................................................................................. 167
9.5 Removing Markers................................................................................................................. 168
9.6 Marker Actions....................................................................................................................... 168
9.7 Creating and Using Regions.................................................................................................... 169
9.8 The Region/Marker Manager................................................................................................... 170
9.9 Overlapping Regions.............................................................................................................. 171
9.10 Project Building with Regions................................................................................................ 171
9.11 Markers and Media Cues....................................................................................................... 171
9.12 Changing the Project Timebase............................................................................................. 172
9.13 Tempo Based Music Production............................................................................................. 172
9.13.1 Project Settings...................................................................................................................173
9.13.2 Audio Media Item Properties................................................................................................174
9.13.3 Creating a Loop from a Time Selection..................................................................................174
9.13.4 Creating a Loop from Transients...........................................................................................174
9.13.5 Transient Detection Settings.................................................................................................175
9.13.6 Beat Correction...................................................................................................................175
9.13.7 Quantizing Items.................................................................................................................176
9.14 Dynamic Splitting................................................................................................................. 176
9.14.1 Splitting a Media Item into Samples......................................................................................177
9.14.2 Changing the Tempo/Time Signature....................................................................................178
9.14.3 Creating a Chromatic MIDI Item...........................................................................................179
9.14.4 Saving and Using Samples...................................................................................................179
9.15 Ruler Display Options........................................................................................................... 180
9.16 REX File Support.................................................................................................................. 180
10 Pitch and Time Manipulation........................................................................................181
10.1 Changing the Project Play Rate............................................................................................. 181
10.2 Changing Pitch for Individual Media Items.............................................................................. 181
10.3 Using ReaPitch..................................................................................................................... 182
10.4 Using ReaPitch with Multiple Tracks....................................................................................... 183
10.5 Instrument Tuning with ReaTune.......................................................................................... 183
10.6 Pitch Correction with ReaTune............................................................................................... 184
10.7 Time Stretching................................................................................................................... 184
10.8 Stretch Markers.................................................................................................................... 185
10.9 Time Signature/Tempo Changes and Markers.........................................................................187
11 The Mixer and Master...................................................................................................189

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Up and Running: A REAPER User Guide v 5.70

11.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................... 189

11.2 Mixer Commands................................................................................................................. 189
11.3 Mixer Layouts and Screensets............................................................................................... 189
11.4 Mixer Menu Commands and Options...................................................................................... 189
11.5 Showing and Hiding Types of Mixer Tracks............................................................................. 191
11.6 Working with FX in the Mixer................................................................................................ 191
11.7 Working with Sends in the Mixer........................................................................................... 194
11.8 Showing Track Icons in the Mixer.......................................................................................... 195
11.9 Managing the Mixer.............................................................................................................. 195
11.10 Track Control Menus........................................................................................................... 197
11.11 Introducing Windows Screen Sets........................................................................................ 198
11.12 Mixer Appearance Preferences............................................................................................. 199
11.13 Stereo and Dual Panning..................................................................................................... 200
11.14 Master Track Options and Settings....................................................................................... 202
11.15 Master Hardware Outputs................................................................................................... 202
11.16 Master Track Channels........................................................................................................ 203
11.17 Avoiding Channel Leakage.................................................................................................. 204
11.18 Reset VU Meter Peaks......................................................................................................... 204
12 Project Management Features......................................................................................205
12.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................... 205
12.2 Setting the Project Start Time............................................................................................... 205
12.3 Crop Project to Selection....................................................................................................... 205
12.4 Locking Media Items............................................................................................................ 206
12.5 Locking Track Controls......................................................................................................... 206
12.6 Project Lock Settings............................................................................................................ 207
12.7 Customizing Colors and Fonts................................................................................................ 208
12.8 The Project Media/FX Bay..................................................................................................... 209
12.9 The Track Manager.............................................................................................................. 213
12.10 Track View Screen Sets....................................................................................................... 215
12.11 Windows Screensets........................................................................................................... 216
12.12 Auto Saving Screen Sets..................................................................................................... 218
12.13 Item Selection Sets............................................................................................................. 218
12.14 Track, Mixer, Transport and Envelope Layouts......................................................................218
12.15 Further FX Parameter Management...................................................................................... 220
12.16 Track Control Panel and Menu Bar Help................................................................................ 222
12.17 Using Multiple Dockers........................................................................................................ 222
12.18 Saving New Project Versions............................................................................................... 224
12.19 Multiple Project Backup Versions.......................................................................................... 224
12.20 Associating Rendered WAV Files with Source Project Files......................................................224
12.21 Projects and Subprojects..................................................................................................... 224
13 Manipulating and Editing MIDI Items..........................................................................229
13.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................... 229
13.2 Monitoring an External Synthesizer........................................................................................ 229
13.3 Using Track Controls with MIDI............................................................................................. 229
13.4 Controlling MIDI Data Sends................................................................................................. 229
13.5 Configuring and Accessing the MIDI Editor............................................................................. 230
13.6 The MIDI Editor Window....................................................................................................... 230
13.7 Control Change Messages..................................................................................................... 233
13.8 Control Channel Basics......................................................................................................... 234
13.9 Working with MIDI Editor Lanes............................................................................................ 235
13.9.1 Sysex Events......................................................................................................................235
13.9.2 Text Events........................................................................................................................235
13.9.3 Bank/Program Select...........................................................................................................235
13.10 MIDI CC Lanes: Tips & Tricks.............................................................................................. 236

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13.10.1 General CC Lane Editing Techniques...................................................................................236

13.10.2 Right Click Marquee Selection.............................................................................................236
13.10.3 Intelligent CC Lane Dropdown List......................................................................................236
13.10.4 Renaming CC Lanes...........................................................................................................237
13.10.5 14-bit CC Lanes and Actions...............................................................................................237
13.10.6 Resizing CC Lane Height.....................................................................................................237
13.11 Navigating the MIDI Editor Main Window.............................................................................237
13.12 Basic Note Selection and Manipulation................................................................................. 237
13.13 Loop/Time Selections and Smart Editing............................................................................... 238
13.14 The MIDI Editor Menus....................................................................................................... 238
13.15 Note Creating and Editing................................................................................................... 243
13.16 Using the Keyboard............................................................................................................ 244
13.17 Transposing Notes.............................................................................................................. 245
13.18 General MIDI Program Patches............................................................................................ 245
13.19 MIDI Preview Scrub............................................................................................................ 245
13.20 MIDI Editor Modes and Views.............................................................................................. 246
13.20.1 Note Modes......................................................................................................................246
13.20.2 Note Styles.......................................................................................................................247
13.21 Quantizing MIDI Data......................................................................................................... 248
13.22 Input Quantization............................................................................................................. 249
13.23 Humanize Notes................................................................................................................. 250
13.24 F3 - The Panic Button......................................................................................................... 250
13.25 Using the MIDI Editor: a Basic Exercise................................................................................ 250
13.26 Step Recording................................................................................................................... 252
13.27 Working with Multiple MIDI Tracks and/or Items (Overview)..................................................253
13.28 Managing Multiple MIDI Tracks and Items............................................................................ 254
13.29 Editing Multiple MIDI Items................................................................................................. 255
13.30 MIDI Editor Mouse Modifiers............................................................................................... 256
13.31 MIDI Editor Actions............................................................................................................ 256
13.32 In-Line MIDI Editing........................................................................................................... 258
13.33 Copying MIDI Items in Arrange View................................................................................... 259
13.34 Joining MIDI Items............................................................................................................. 260
13.35 MIDI Preferences Settings................................................................................................... 260
13.36 MIDI Output Direct to an External Synth.............................................................................. 261
13.37 Exporting Project MIDI....................................................................................................... 261
13.38 MIDI Routing, MIDI Buses and ReWire................................................................................. 261
13.39 ReaControlMIDI................................................................................................................. 262
13.40 Some MIDI Plug-ins............................................................................................................ 262
13.41 MIDI Controlled Pitch Shift with ReaVoice............................................................................. 263
13.42 JS: IX/MIDI_Router............................................................................................................ 264
13.43 Feedback Routing with MIDI Tracks..................................................................................... 265
13.44 Working with Piano Roll Synced to Project Arrange View........................................................265
13.45 The Scale Finder................................................................................................................ 265
13.46 Sequencer Megababy.......................................................................................................... 265
13.47 Using MIDI CC Messages to Control FX Presets.....................................................................267
13.48 Custom MIDI Note and CC Names....................................................................................... 268
14 Music Notation and REAPER's Notation Editor.............................................................269
14.1 A Brief Introduction to Notation............................................................................................. 269
14.2 REAPER's Notation Editor: a First Look................................................................................... 270
14.3 Opening MIDI Items in the Notation Editor............................................................................. 272
14.4 REAPER's Notation Editor: A Closer Look................................................................................ 272
14.5 Notation Editor View Options................................................................................................. 273
14.6 Basic Note Selection and MIDI Editor Tasks............................................................................ 274
14.7 Notation Editor Specific Tasks and Functions..........................................................................275
14.8 Working with Notes and Note Selections................................................................................ 282

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14.9 Exporting MusicXML and PDF Files......................................................................................... 286

14.10 XML Import........................................................................................................................ 286
14.11 Making a Notation Editor Toolbar......................................................................................... 286
15 Customization: Actions, Mouse Modifiers, Menus and Toolbars..................................287
15.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................... 287
15.2 REAPER Actions Essentials.................................................................................................... 287
15.3 The Action List Editor Environment........................................................................................ 288
15.4 Creating a New Keyboard Shortcut........................................................................................ 291
15.5 Removing an Existing Shortcut.............................................................................................. 292
15.6 Changing an Existing Key Assignment.................................................................................... 292
15.7 Deprecated Actions.............................................................................................................. 292
15.8 Examples of Possible Simple Keystroke Assignments...............................................................293
15.9 Keyboard Shortcuts for Recording.......................................................................................... 293
15.10 Keyboard Shortcuts for the MIDI Editor................................................................................294
15.11 Keyboard Shortcuts for the Media Explorer...........................................................................294
15.12 Assigning Actions to the Mousewheel...................................................................................295
15.13 Exporting and Importing Keyboard Shortcuts........................................................................295
15.14 Creating Custom Action Macros........................................................................................... 295
15.15 MIDI Editor Custom Macros................................................................................................. 297
15.16 Importing Scripts................................................................................................................ 297
15.17 Meta Actions...................................................................................................................... 298
15.18 Mouse Modifiers................................................................................................................. 299
15.19 Saving and Restoring Mouse Modifier Settings......................................................................301
15.20 MIDI Editor Mouse Modifiers............................................................................................... 301
15.21 Customizing the REAPER Menus.......................................................................................... 303
15.22 Customizing the REAPER Toolbars....................................................................................... 305
15.23 Creating Additional Custom Toolbars.................................................................................... 308
15.24 Creating Smart Tools.......................................................................................................... 309
15.25 The Toolbar Docker............................................................................................................ 310
15.26 Using a Control Device with REAPER.................................................................................... 311
16 REAPER Plug-ins in Action............................................................................................313
16.1 What Are Plug-ins?............................................................................................................... 313
16.2 The Three Laws of Plug-ins................................................................................................... 313
16.3 The Five Types of Plug-in...................................................................................................... 313
16.4 Adjusting Plug-in Parameter Controls..................................................................................... 314
16.5 Sound Shaping Effects: ReaEQ.............................................................................................. 314
16.6 Time Based Effects: Delay.................................................................................................... 315
16.7 Volume Changing Plug-ins: the Limiter................................................................................... 316
16.8 Analytical Plug-ins: the Frequency Spectrum Analyzer.............................................................317
16.9 Using FX Presets.................................................................................................................. 317
16.10 Time Based Effects: ReaVerb............................................................................................... 318
16.11 Volume Control with Compression: ReaComp........................................................................320
16.12 JS Transients Plug-ins......................................................................................................... 321
16.13 JS De-Esser....................................................................................................................... 321
16.14 Volume Control with a Noise Gate........................................................................................ 321
16.15 Sstillwell Chorus and Delay Effects....................................................................................... 322
16.16 Noise Reduction with ReaFir................................................................................................ 323
16.17 Multiband Compression with ReaXComp............................................................................... 324
16.18 JS: Time Difference Pan...................................................................................................... 326
16.19 JS: Exciter......................................................................................................................... 326
16.20 JS: Huge Booty Bass Enhancer............................................................................................ 326
16.21 Some Unusual JS Plug-ins................................................................................................... 326
16.21.1 Utility/bufsave...................................................................................................................326
16.21.2 JS: Thunderkick.................................................................................................................327

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16.21.3 JS: Tonegate.....................................................................................................................327

16.22 Some Guitar FX Plug-ins...................................................................................................... 328
16.23 Some Other REAPER JS Plug-ins.......................................................................................... 328
16.24 Controlling FX Parameters on the Fly.................................................................................... 330
16.25 Bridging and VST Plug-in Run Mode..................................................................................... 331
16.26 Third Party Plug-in Presets.................................................................................................. 331
16.27 Losing the Graphic User Interface (GUI)............................................................................... 332
17 More REAPER Routing Examples..................................................................................333
17.1 Controlled Bleed................................................................................................................... 333
17.2 Splitting Channels................................................................................................................ 334
17.3 Full and Fat Vocals with ReaDelay......................................................................................... 336
17.4 Drag and Drop Routing......................................................................................................... 337
17.5 Channel Splitting and Pitch Shifting........................................................................................ 338
17.6 REAPER Send Types............................................................................................................. 339
17.7 Audio Ducking...................................................................................................................... 339
17.8 Using VCA for Track Volume Control...................................................................................... 341
17.9 Multi Output VSTi Plug-ins.................................................................................................... 342
17.10 Using Parent Channels........................................................................................................ 343
17.11 Parallel FX Processing with the Channel Mixers.....................................................................343
17.12 More Parallel FX Processing................................................................................................. 345
17.13 Channel Splitting and Parallel Processing with Item Take FX..................................................345
17.14 Sending FX Output to Another Track.................................................................................... 345
17.15 Other Channel Routing Plug-ins (Overview)..........................................................................345
17.16 REAPER’s Routing Interface................................................................................................. 346
17.17 ReaSamplomatic and ReaDrums.......................................................................................... 346
17.18 Round-Robin Multisampling................................................................................................. 348
17.19 MIDI Routing: MIDI Channels, Track Sends, and MIDI Buses.................................................350
17.20 Further VSTi Signal Routing................................................................................................. 352
17.21 Surround Panning with ReaSurround.................................................................................... 352
17.22 Multichannel Track VU Meters............................................................................................. 354
17.23 Routing to/from Other Applications with ReWire...................................................................355
17.24 Introducing ReaRoute......................................................................................................... 355
17.25 Controlling REAPER with a Web Browser Interface................................................................356
18 Automation – Envelopes and More...............................................................................357
18.1 Understanding Automation.................................................................................................... 357
18.2 Automation Envelope Methods.............................................................................................. 357
18.3 The Track Envelopes Window................................................................................................ 357
18.4 Available Track and Send Envelopes...................................................................................... 358
18.5 Writing Automation.............................................................................................................. 358
18.6 Envelope Points Options....................................................................................................... 360
18.7 Writing Mute Automation...................................................................................................... 361
18.8 Automation Modes............................................................................................................... 361
18.9 Latch Preview Mode............................................................................................................. 362
18.10 Global Automation Override................................................................................................. 363
18.11 The Envelope Panel Controls............................................................................................... 363
18.12 Manually Adjusting Envelopes.............................................................................................. 364
18.13 Using the Mouse with Envelopes.......................................................................................... 365
18.14 Envelope Edit Mouse Modifiers............................................................................................ 365
18.15 Managing Automation Envelope Display...............................................................................366
18.16 The Envelope Panel Controls............................................................................................... 367
18.17 Managing and Manipulating Envelopes................................................................................. 367
18.18 Envelope Shapes................................................................................................................ 369
18.19 Envelopes in Track Templates............................................................................................. 369
18.20 Envelope Preferences......................................................................................................... 369

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18.21 Using an Envelopes Toolbar................................................................................................ 370

18.22 Moving and Copying Envelopes with Items...........................................................................370
18.23 Automation with Trim Volume Envelopes.............................................................................. 370
18.24 Locking Envelopes.............................................................................................................. 371
18.25 Automation with Grouped Track Parameters.........................................................................371
18.26 Automation with Track Sends.............................................................................................. 372
18.27 Automation with FX Parameters........................................................................................... 373
18.28 FX Parameter Automation in Learn Mode.............................................................................. 374
18.29 Automating a VST with MIDI CC Messages...........................................................................374
18.30 Automating FX Parameters on the Fly..................................................................................375
18.31 Automation with Item Take and Take FX Parameters.............................................................375
18.32 Automation with Hardware Output Sends.............................................................................376
18.33 Automating Automation...................................................................................................... 376
18.34 Actions for Managing Envelopes and Envelope Points............................................................376
18.35 Automating the Metronome................................................................................................. 377
18.36 Tempo/Time Signature and Play Speed Envelopes.................................................................377
18.37 Automation Items............................................................................................................... 378
19 Automation with Parameter Modulation......................................................................383
19.1 The Concept........................................................................................................................ 383
19.2 The Interface....................................................................................................................... 383
19.3 Defining a Parameter for Modulation...................................................................................... 384
19.4 Defining a Parameter for Modification....................................................................................386
19.5 Parameter Modulation with Audio Control............................................................................... 386
19.6 Using an LFO Shape with Parameter Modulation.....................................................................388
19.7 Using Parameter Modulation for Dynamic Compression...........................................................389
19.8 Bypass Mode....................................................................................................................... 390
19.9 Parameter Modulation Under Parameter Control.....................................................................390
19.10 Using Parameter Modulation with an Envelope......................................................................391
19.11 Parameter Modulation under Sidechain Audio Control............................................................392
19.12 Using MIDI Links for Parameter Modulation..........................................................................393
19.13 Further Applications............................................................................................................ 395
19.14 Managing FX Parameters in the Project Bay..........................................................................395
20 Using REAPER with Video.............................................................................................397
20.1 Simple Video Editing............................................................................................................. 397
20.2 Video Effects....................................................................................................................... 399
20.3 Working with Multiple Video Tracks.......................................................................................400
20.4 Video Processor Parameter Controls....................................................................................... 404
20.5 Video Effects Presets (Examples)........................................................................................... 404
20.6 Understanding Video Formats............................................................................................... 405
20.7 REAPER Video Processing Tips.............................................................................................. 406
20.8 REAPER Video Settings and Preferences................................................................................. 406
20.9 Video Workflow Tips............................................................................................................. 407
20.10 Making a Home Music Video on a Budget.............................................................................408
21 Exporting Files, Mixing Down and Rendering...............................................................409
21.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................... 409
21.2 Batch File Conversion........................................................................................................... 409
21.3 Consolidating and Exporting.................................................................................................. 410
21.4 Rendering A Project.............................................................................................................. 411
21.5 Rendering a Finished Song.................................................................................................... 414
21.6 Batch Rendering.................................................................................................................. 414
21.7 Rendering Selected Media Items............................................................................................ 415
21.8 Rendering Regions............................................................................................................... 415
21.9 Burning an Audio CD with REAPER........................................................................................417

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21.10 Saving Live Output to Disk.................................................................................................. 419

21.11 Using Presets..................................................................................................................... 420
21.12 Rendering in Surround Format............................................................................................. 420
21.13 Rendering a Video Project................................................................................................... 421
22 REAPER's Preferences and Other Settings...................................................................423
22.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................... 423
22.2 General Preferences............................................................................................................. 423
22.2.1 Import and Export Configuration...........................................................................................424
22.2.2 Paths and Keyboards...........................................................................................................425
22.3 Main Project Preferences...................................................................................................... 425
22.3.1 Project Track/Send Defaults.................................................................................................426
22.3.2 Media Item Defaults............................................................................................................427
22.4 Audio Configuration and Settings........................................................................................... 427
22.5 Audio Preferences................................................................................................................ 429
22.5.1 Audio Mute/Solo..................................................................................................................429
22.5.2 Audio Buffering...................................................................................................................430
22.5.3 Audio Playback....................................................................................................................431
22.5.4 Audio Seeking.....................................................................................................................431
22.5.5 Audio Recording..................................................................................................................431
22.5.6 Audio Loop Recording..........................................................................................................431
22.5.7 Audio Rendering.................................................................................................................432
22.6 Appearance Preferences....................................................................................................... 432
22.6.1 Appearance Media...............................................................................................................433
22.6.2 Appearance, Peaks/Waveforms.............................................................................................434
22.6.3 Appearance Fades/Crossfades..............................................................................................435
22.6.4 Appearance, Track Control Panels.........................................................................................435
22.7 Editing Behavior Preferences................................................................................................. 436
22.7.1 Editing Behavior, Envelope Display........................................................................................437
22.7.2 Editing Behavior, Automation...............................................................................................438
22.7.3 Editing Behavior, Mouse Preferences.....................................................................................439
22.7.4 Editing Preferences, MIDI Editor...........................................................................................440
22.8 Media Preferences............................................................................................................... 441
22.8.1 Media, MIDI Preferences......................................................................................................442
22.8.2 Media, Video/REX/Misc Preferences.......................................................................................442
22.9 Plug-ins Preferences............................................................................................................. 442
22.9.1 Plug-ins, Compatibility.........................................................................................................443
22.9.2 Plug-ins, VST......................................................................................................................443
22.9.3 Plug-ins, ReWire/DX............................................................................................................443
22.9.4 Plug-ins, ReaScript..............................................................................................................444
22.9.5 Plug-ins, ReaMote...............................................................................................................444
22.10 Custom UI Tweaks............................................................................................................. 444
22.11 Project and File Management.............................................................................................. 444
22.12 Customizing the Performance Meter..................................................................................... 445
22.13 Customizing Undo History Behavior...................................................................................... 445
22.14 Reset REAPER Default Settings............................................................................................ 446
22.15 Some Other REAPER Options............................................................................................... 446
23 Using REAPER with Other Applications and Devices....................................................447
23.1 What is ReaRoute?............................................................................................................... 447
23.2 Setting Up Applications for ReaRoute..................................................................................... 447
23.3 Sending Audio from REAPER to Another Application................................................................448
23.4 Sending Audio From Another DAW App to REAPER.................................................................449
23.5 Using REAPER With a Synth Workstation................................................................................ 449
23.6 Syncing to an External Device............................................................................................... 449
23.7 Generating and Sending Timecode........................................................................................ 451
23.8 Slaving REAPER to MIDI Sequencer Software.........................................................................451

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23.9 ReaMote.............................................................................................................................. 451

23.10 REAPER and NINJAM.......................................................................................................... 452
23.11 ReaScript........................................................................................................................... 452
24 Troubleshooting REAPER..............................................................................................453
24.1 Input/Output Issues............................................................................................................. 453
24.2 REAPER Interface Issues...................................................................................................... 455
24.3 Troubleshooting Record Modes and Monitoring.......................................................................456
24.4 Searching this PDF Guide...................................................................................................... 458
Index..................................................................................................................................459

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