Reaper Audio - Affordable High End DAW

Started by Elantric, January 23, 2008, 08:54:06 PM

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Elantric

Reaper Audio
http://reaper.fm/download.php

If you have not checked out Cockos Reaper - you may be missing out on a supurb affordabe DAW tool

http://www.cockos.com/reaper/

Its targeted as an "every man's" Protools type application by Justin Frankel the developer of WinAmp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Frankel

Mac version is in Beta - Due soon - Here is the link

http://www.cockos.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4220


Elantric

#1
http://forum.cockos.com/forumdisplay.php?f=3


I'm a user of Reaper - which includes the code of a
Linux Guitar modeler called Jesussonic

http://www.jesusonic.com/
Using the Jesusonic, you can combine any number of effects in whatever order you choose. Effects can interact with eachother (for example, a volume detection effect can trigger a tremolo effect), or with the user (you can assign triggers to effects like loop samplers, for example). A wide assortment of built-in effects are included and available on our site.

Once you have a group of effects set up how you desire, you can save that group to a "preset", which can be recalled instantly at any time. Presets can store as much state as you like, so if you record a loop of a riff you like, you can save it and every time you load that preset it will play.

When you feel like you have exhausted combining the many included effects, and want to come up with something completely ridiculously new and never-done-before, you can make use of your keyboard, and write new effects (or take an existing effect and customize it). Using the integrated code editor, you can actually write simple code that will be compiled into fast machine code on the fly, letting you quickly try out effect ideas and push the realm of possiblity even farther. You can do all of this--without having to stop for any reason. While you edit the code, the effects still run. When you want to try your code out, hit one key and within a small fraction of a second you are hearing results.

For samples of what Jesusonic is capable of, see our samples page.

Some examples of the effects running on the Jesusonic:

    * Auto-looper
    * Guitar Amp/Cab/anything modeling (with stereo expansion, multiple models, etc)
    * Buffer save/restore (for multiple signal paths)
    * Chorus
    * Delay
    * Delay (with bit resolution decay)
    * Drum machine (using wavetable synthesis, optional human error parameters -- can have user generated patchsets, tracks, etc)
    * Variable-length delay
    * Channel mixer
    * Distortion/overdrive (a few different models)
    * Pitch shift (FFT model)
    * Pitch down
    * Pitch down (multiple overlap method)
    * Octave up
    * Flanger
    * Hard limiter
    * Loop Sampler (super powerful with optional automatic silence trimming, rerecord over capability, length tweaking capability, etc)
    * Loop Sampler (DL4 style interface)
    * Lowpass filter
    * Resonant lowpass filter
    * Bandpass filter
    * MDCT filtering
    * MDCT frequency shift
    * MDCT sweep filter
    * Noise gate
    * Phaser
    * Programmable auto trigger
    * 'Reverseness'
    * Soft saturation
    * Sweeping lowpass filter
    * Tone generator
    * Tone meter
    * Tuner
    * 'Tonifier'
    * 'Tonifier' 2
    * Tremolo
    * Triggerable sweep filter
    * Triggerable tremolo
    * Volume adjustment
    * Volume auto trigger
    * VU meter
    * Wah
    * Bypass toggle
    * Slider control

Jesusonic is a fully programmable effects processor for guitar, bass, vocal and general use. Jesusonic is available in software form, and while we planned on making it in hardware form, those plans are on hold. Jesusonic is also available as part of REAPER, our deluxe Windows DAW software.
   


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/REAPER
http://reaper.fm/index.php
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jun07/articles/reaper.htm

This is all developed by Justin Frankel - the creator
of WinAmp - he's independently wealthy and codes a
poorman's Protools (Reaper) with released updates
every 4 days - literally!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Frankel

Elantric


Elantric


Kenmac

Yep, Reaper is a great DAW. I've been using it since it was in the beta 0.953 stage.
"Let them brush your rock and roll hair."

Steve Dee

All I can say is WOW! I D/L'ed Reaper to my laptop a few days ago and am very very impressed. I have two Roland hard-drive recorders synced together, a VS-1680 and a VS-880, both VS-Expanded. I had 10 tracks recorded between both machines and very easily converted them to Reaper. They sounded quite good out the headphone jack on the laptop on my crappy headphones. So far, so good.

Next, hooked up the VG-99 USB to the laptop and was able to route the Reaper tracks into the VG-99 USB-IN and straight out the Sub L&R connections directly into the balanced inputs of my powered Roland near-field studio monitors.  I couldn't believe how good it sounded, and this was without any EQ or effects turned on in Reaper yet. Even better, the VG-99 USB IN connects to the Sub Outs AFTER the Sub Out's EQ and Volume controls, so I didn't have to change any of my Global settings that I use for playing live. I think this was a smart decision on Roland's part.

Sometime next week I am going to try to add an 11th track (VG-99 lead guitar part) to the tracks I have on the laptop.

The VG-99 seems to be an excellent & versatile USB interface between many things.

Wish List: I would like to see the USB into the VG-99 connect directly to the Digital Output. The powered Roland studio speakers I have can take a coax digital signal, which I think would be ideal.

(Anybody want to buy either a VS-1680 or a VS-880?)  ;D
Steve - San Diego

Elantric

#6
Reaper Mix Docs

Keyboard Shortcuts


ReaRead - Training Manuals and Reaper books
ReaMix - Breaking the Barriers with Reaper
http://www.lulu.com/content/2539885
Up and Running - A REAPER User Guide
http://www.lulu.com/content/1295509

.. and free Reaper Keyboard Shortcuts Guide here:
http://www.cockos.com/~glazfolk/Reap...dShortcuts.pdf

Steve Dee

Thanks, I stumbled onto lulu.com about a week ago. The ReaMix book looks amazing and I am going to order it. I am waiting for the new version of the Reaper op manual to come out, then will order both books at once.

I must say that I am having a blast with the VG-99 and Reaper. Using a "bare" VG-99 patch, I put down a rhythm electric (Classic Strat) track with no FX; only used a COSM JC-120 Bright Amp. Then I very quickly inserted a new track in Reaper, switched the VG-99 to play a Rick 12-String electric fill-in part on the song's chorus, and voila, done! This was accomplished in literally minutes.

Question: With the Roland VS recorders, I got into the habit of putting guitar tracks down clean, then adding any needed distortion, chorus, delay, etc., using the COSM stuff in the VS recorders when mixing. I haven't had much of a chance yet to play with the JS guitar effects in Reaper. What is your opinion of the Reaper JS guitar effects compared to the VG-99's, and would you agree that it is still a good idea to record guitars with no effects at first, and add effects during the mixing?
Steve - San Diego

Elantric

#8
Order the LuLu book ReaMix - Breaking the Barriers with Reaper
http://www.lulu.com/content/2539885


Covers wonderful concepts useful for any DAW.


The "Up and Running with Reaper" manual is the same as the free one downloadable here:
http://www.cockos.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6107
they sell it at Lulu for those who cant print out a 400+ page manual - but I prefer the PDF - for topic searching !!
I'm lucky I have a duplex printer - its over 400 pages. Its ok to order the Lulu one now and print the supplements to stay up to date.


They sell a $5 PDF version  at Lulu  -  for the author (Nicholas) to recoup $$ for his wonderful effort. I ordered the pdf at LulU - but download the free supplements as they are released - every 6 weeks.   

BTW - We have a thread on VG-99 Reamping here
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=93.0

I have not tried the Reaper JS Guitar Amp sims.





montyrivers

Resurrecting an old topic here but yea.  Reaper is awesome.  It's like the missing link for most ASIO and MIDI hardware.  I installed it on my laptop and now I have a nice little midi song writing workstation using the SonicCell and a midi controller. 


MarkFromHawaii

I'm hearing a lot of good things about Reaper.  I think there's a new version for about $60 US for "non-professional" use.  For my needs, I'll still need an audio and midi to USB interface - I'm thinking Focusrite or PreSonus.  I also want a easy to use, but good sounding drum track software.
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Kenmac

Quote from: MarkFromHawaii on November 15, 2014, 01:50:06 PM
I'm hearing a lot of good things about Reaper.  I think there's a new version for about $60 US for "non-professional" use.  For my needs, I'll still need an audio and midi to USB interface - I'm thinking Focusrite or PreSonus.  I also want a easy to use, but good sounding drum track software.

Mark, I made a posting about a drum plugin that used to be commercial (paid) software but now it's free. It's from a company called Manda Audio and you can read what I posted about it here: https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=12619.0
"Let them brush your rock and roll hair."

MarkFromHawaii

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Kenmac

"Let them brush your rock and roll hair."

Elantric

#14
http://createdigitalmusic.com/2015/08/ten-reasons-reaper-5-upgrade-will-make-users-happy/

Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, OS X 10.5, OX 10.6, OS X 10.7, OS X 10.8, OS X 10.9, and OS X 10.10. Also full WINE support so it's compatible with Linux - and actually quite a few people running it that way (and not true of all Windows applications in WINE.)

Here are ten reasons Reaper 5 upgrade will make users happy

BY PETER KIRN



Reaper 5 is out today. It's the compact, tight, powerful music and audio production software whose users would like to know why more of you aren't talking about it.
And they have a point. Reaper 5 is US$60 with a bunch of included free upgrades, or a voluntary $225 for "commercial" use. Even the demo runs a full 60 days with no restrictions. Yet Reaper does a lot of things other DAWs don't – even some of the priciest out there – in a compact tool that has exhaustive hardware and OS support, plus complete scripting.
Now, what Reaper 5 doesn't have is some easy way of describing in marketing terms. There's actually not a single sort of "banner" feature. It'd be easier to say that Reaper 5 does what the earlier versions of Reaper does, but "more better." And so knowing how passionate Reaper users are, I'd love to hear what you care about most.
Also, the simple answer to why more people don't talk about Reaper is simple. Reaper users love it because the software does stuff other people don't necessarily care enough about. Unfortunately, some of those people don't care enough about it to ... uh, use Reaper.
But don't let the nerdiness turn you off. This is a great DAW at a kind of insanely-low, don't tell your accountants price.

And I can sum up what I think are version 5′s most significant overall improvements:

1. It'll make you happy if you use video. Support for adding videos to projects is a big feature of Reaper, and now it's massively improved, including powerful features for decoding and displaying video with high resolution, high performance playback.

2. It has an entire script development environment, built in. Okay, this is pretty geeky, but developers get richer-than-ever options for Lua scripting right in the DAW – including their own IDE. If you don't code, the upshot is, the people who do can do it more quickly and reliably – and then you can use their scripts to save time. There are tons of API additions, too.

3. It handles multichannel media really well. This lets you edit more easily with formats like Ambisonics.

4. It's insanely powerful at automation. Automation is recorded per take, and now includes various performance enhancements. It's sample-accurate with VST3 and JSFX. (We have black MIDI; maybe black VST can be a thing?) All of this can be managed from the Project Bay, too.

5. It'll keep time however you like. Custom metronome beat patterns ticks away as you want, and a ruler can now accurately display time signature, tempo, and highly accurate video frame info.

6. It's got a prettier theme. More theme customization options, too.

7. You can group controls. Link track controls wherever you want in the signal flow.

8. It adds MIDI control. MIDI note off velocity is editable, and there are new options for more precisely editing node edges with the mouse.

9. It's faster and more efficient. There are performance improvements everywhere. I could go into them, but they're boring to write about, so instead I'll do what they do and save you time.

10. It doesn't abandon older OSes. Okay, that's not an upgrade – but it's the absence of a downgrade. And in an industry where this is increasingly uncommon, you can run Reaper all the way back to XP on Windows, or 10.5 on OS X. (Note that the same can't be said of all the plug-in formats and plug-ins, but still.) It also plays nice under WINE, so you can run it under Linux even though there's not a Linux native version.

Video support (for film/TV scoring, for instance) is a major difference between Reaper and PreSonus' Studio One, as mentioned before. So, too, is scriptability. So while I do admire Studio One, those could be deciding points from some readers, as we heard in comments.
And Reaper still does the stuff it already did well. That includes loads of multichannel and routing features (including real surround support), lots of nice built-in effects, modulation features, and OSC support for easy control. And it's small enough to put on a portable drive, so you can take it with you to someone else's studio.
But you don't have to take my word for it. You can try it for two months free and see if it makes you happy.
http://reaper.fm/download.php

And for more, turn to the founder of developer Cockos.
Justin Frankel isn't just an important name in the world of DAWs. He has possibly the most unique resume in the business, as the man behind Winamp and gnutella (kids, ask your Gen X parents about that file sharing service), not to mention making a crucifix-shaped programmable DSP platform called Jesusonic.
Seriously, the number of people who have both sold a company to AOL and made a big messiah-themed effects platform are ... one.
He spoke to our friends at SonicScoop, wearing a possibly Jesus-ish beard.





And talks about what makes the tool special:
And has




And for more:
http://reaperblog.net/

Meanwhile, the roots of that Jesusonic remain in Reaper. I just hope for Reaper hardware. Because:

http://www.cockos.com/jesusonic/
And if you do want to learn scripting:
http://youtu.be/0Dwonn3Pe2Q?list=PL7M70tQL6s1IOYycGilaHLs5G4vOcyLF8








Elantric

Cockos has updated REAPER to v5.22.
Notation:
support separate display quantization settings per-project or per-track.
fix incorrect breaming in certain chord/time signature combinations.
fix note preview when editing pitch after drawing a new note.
fix vanishing note stems when zooming way out.
insert notes on the staff under the mouse when using multiple staves with overlapping pitch ranges.
preview new inserted note correctly when display is not set to concert pitch.
support MusicXML export.
set display quantization via dialog/slider rather than menu.
Automation:
add new Latch Preview automation mode.
add separate configuration for automation write action transition times.
improve behavior when auto-adding envelopes.
improve volume envelope panel tweaking behavior.
obey new transition preference when using write current values for all writing envelopes actions.
put transition before cursor when using write automation to start of project, after cursor when writing automation to end of project.
MIDI editor:
display note-off velocity properly in MIDI event properties dialog.
disregard snap to key when in named notes (drum map) mode.
fix inconsistent visibility/editability issues when using multiple MIDI editors at the same time.
preserve vertical zoom level when hiding/unhiding note rows.
apply note edits immediately when editing during playback.
update displayed note rows when recording adds a note to a hidden row.
Video:
add Equirectangular 360 panner preset.
do not include monitoring FX in renders (matching audio behavior), update FX post-cache.
fix monitoring FX video processor bypass support.
support animated GIF with transparency via per-source option.
JSFX:
improve paste behavior with unicode clipboard data that contains trailing characters.
fix modulus operator results with negative constants.
Theme:
add track_env_preview, mcp_env_preview, gen_env_preview, global_preview images.
fix OS X classic theme image fallbacks.
Track routing window:
improve behavior when modifying track volume.
improve behavior with multiple open windows.
VST:
default to avoid undo/redo state loading for Kontakt and EastWest plug-ins.
improve redrawing of certain bridged embedded plug-ins on Windows.
Accessibility:
improve label and tab ordering for ReaEQ/ReaXComp/ReaDelay/About/Project Settings.
Crossfade editor:
improve display behavior with large fonts.
FX:
add per-plug-in option to avoid loading undo states when possible.
Peaks:
fix display issue with partially looped items.
ReaNINJAM:
use UTF-8 for chat on Windows to match macOS.
Ruler:
fix display issue during record with continuous scrolling and blinking edit cursor.
Undo:
improve behavior when doing high level operations (such as adding tracks) while UI for large VST plug-ins are open (Kontakt).
VST2:
support automatic detection of multiple track channels for iZotope plug-ins.
VST3:
fix offline rendering notifications.
Windows:
fix topmost pin positioning on Windows 7 with high DPI scaling.
API:
fix GetFocusedFX () item index.
fix MIDIEditor_GetActive function.

alexmcginness

"It's the compact, tight, powerful music and audio production software whose users would like to know why more of you aren't talking about it."

   I can give you a reason why Im not talking about it. Its a nightmare to set up and get working.  I found the learning curve coming from Cubase not worth the effort to re learn a new interface to get me back to exactly where I am now, and that is a fully functioning DAW capable of recording and producing a finished track.
   Ive already learned the ins and outs of my current DAW. Unless someone can show me how Reaper is leaps and bounds ahead of Cubase.... I cant justify the months its gonna take to get up to the speed that I can zip thru and find every day functions without reading manuals and looking at tutorials to find those functions in Reaper.
   Im sure that Reaper is a fine DAW. I found the learning curve waaaaay too steep to switch.
VG-88V2, GR-50, GR-55, 4 X VG-99s,2 X FC-300,  2 X GP-10 AXON AX 100 MKII, FISHMAN TRIPLE PLAY,MIDX-10, MIDX-20, AVID 11 RACK, BEHRINGER FCB 1010, LIVID GUITAR WING, ROLAND US-20, 3 X GUYATONE TO-2. MARSHALL BLUESBREAKER, SERBIAN ELIMINATOR AMP. GR-33.

Chumly

You have a merited point Alex!
QuoteAutonomy and Freedom of choice are critical to our well being, and choice is critical to freedom and autonomy. Nonetheless, though modern Americans have more choice than any group of people ever has before, and thus, presumably, more freedom and autonomy, we don't seem to be benefiting from it psychologically.

— quoted from Ch.5, The Paradox of Choice, 2004
I think it's much more interesting to live not knowing than to have answers which might be wrong. - Richard P. Feynman

Jim Williams

I own a few different DAW's and have found Reaper to be the best one regardless of price. As far as the learning curve it is worth the time. Yesterday I came across some videos on some live uses where it has all the features of Ableton live for playing tracks live and setting up tabbed sets for performance. I also have found that the customization options can give you the look and feel of other DAW's and you can edit the shortcut key commands and give them midi assigns as well.

you can do anything from other DAW's and the plugins are great thought not real graphical. I don't need pretty plugins I just want ones that sound great. The video editing tools are also very good and simplistic once you get the hang of them.

Search the Reaper videos on YouTube and on the Reaper site and you wont need to look any further for a new DAW. The learning curve wont be that big and mixing and mastering will be a breeze.
Skype: (upon Request)

Everything from modeling to the real deal, my house looks like a music store.

slooky

Quote from: Jim Williams on August 05, 2016, 06:27:16 AM
I own a few different DAW's and have found Reaper to be the best one regardless of price. As far as the learning curve it is worth the time. Yesterday I came across some videos on some live uses where it has all the features of Ableton live for playing tracks live and setting up tabbed sets for performance. I also have found that the customization options can give you the look and feel of other DAW's and you can edit the shortcut key commands and give them midi assigns as well.

you can do anything from other DAW's and the plugins are great thought not real graphical. I don't need pretty plugins I just want ones that sound great. The video editing tools are also very good and simplistic once you get the hang of them.

Search the Reaper videos on YouTube and on the Reaper site and you wont need to look any further for a new DAW. The learning curve wont be that big and mixing and mastering will be a breeze.

Couldn't agree anymore, I have to admit I was overwhelmed when I first started, but the people in the forums are really helpful. Didnt take me long to start recording.

chrish

I loaded my old calkwalk pro audio 9 into my windows 7 laptop and it worked for a while until i didn't shut down the computer one night and it crashed my computer.

I wanted to keep using it because i already know the moves but the screen graphics quatity on my old windows me tower is bad.

So i loaded both Reaper and Audacity into the windows 7 laptop. Audacity won out for intuitive ease of use. It also has a brighter sound to my ears where Reaper sounds muffled.

Reaper does allow realtime use of fx and eq's, however they add more artifact noise then Audacity fx, to my ears.

Audacity is free and open source and I like that concept over constantly paying for the next DAW upgrade that fixes the bugs from the last version that you paid for to work correctly in the first place.

Of course I'm just in it for the fun, so i understand that the needs for the professional are greater and a pro quality DAW may be more suitable.

rolandvg99

Reaper is what I use to record stuff live. Very light on CPU and runs on pretty much anything. At home I'm using mostly Ableton Live.

If Ableton is what you want, but the cost is too high, one could use the Playtime plug in for Reaper to achieve much of the same.
To V or not to V: That is the question.

My little Soundcloud corner

Now_And_Then

Quote from: Jim Williams on August 05, 2016, 06:27:16 AMI don't need pretty plugins I just want ones that sound great.

It's got exactly nothing whatsoever to do with aesthetics. And, over here at least, if something is difficult to use, it's just not going to get used very much, no matter how great it sounds. My idea is to make music, not technology demonstrations.

vxboogie

Quote from:  rolandvg99 on August 05, 2016, 08:34:03 AM
Reaper is what I use to record stuff live. Very light on CPU and runs on pretty much anything. At home I'm using mostly Ableton Live.

If Ableton is what you want, but the cost is too high, one could use the Playtime plug in for Reaper to achieve much of the same.
That sums up my usage as well although my home DAW is ProTools. If I didn't have many years of PT experience and investment, I would likely be 100% Reaper. I've turned quite a few people onto Reaper and assisted with their learning curve. Great DAW at an even better price.

misc100

#24
I too don't talk about it, mainly because this sort of discussion generally goes two ways: The technical/scientific way which mostly goes over my head, and the subjective way which usually ends up with 'it is crap'  or  'it is the best'  unsupported opinion.

Horses for courses I say.

If you have used X DAW for how ever long, can do what you need with it and tolerate things not going so well at times, why change.

If your DAW starts to not work as you wish or cannot do what you wish you could troubleshoot, find a workaround or you could say enough is enough and demo a different one. If you do this you could expect a different, if not high learning curve - you know what they say about familiarity.

I am not a professional, I don't make money with it, it is purely a hobby. I started out using a 64k BBC comp, then  Cool Edit, then Cubase, Sonar and finally stumbled across Reaper. I have stuck with Reaper because it suits me, I feel comfortable with it, I can do everything I want with it, there is no reason for me to change (whether I do it very well is another matter). There is a lot in Reaper that I don't use but I am learning a bit at a time.

For me there are 3 main reasons why I will stick with it:
It is cheap - I am a pensioner so that is important for me.
It is flexible - I can set it up, tweak it, to suit my way of working totally
The support via the manual, learning resources and videos, and particularly from members of the forum is exceptional, and I mean exceptional.

Some corrections/clarity of some of the other posts:
Reaper is free, totally free, there are no restrictions, no time limits, nothing is disabled, you get the full program. There is in fact no 'demo', what you get is the full version, for ever. One thing, after 60 days you get a few seconds nag screen to buy before you can use it.
If you do pay for a license you get two full version updates (approx 2 years). If you were to decide not to pay again you can still use the full version but have to put up with the nag screen.