Up and Running: A REAPER User Guide

Version 2.1421

March 2008

This guide is a permanent work in progress and will be updated regularly as the software itself is furtherimproved and developed. You are encouraged to distribute it freely to others so long as you do not charge any money for doing so.Check for updates and other information at

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

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 community. It represents the way music should be, the way the internet should be, theway computers should be, the way program development and licensing should be …. in fact, the way the worldshould be.It’s about collaboration and co-operation. And it is truly awesome.If you’ve already laboured or suffered at the hands of some software companies, you’ll know exactly what I’mtalking about. If you haven’t been there, then, believe me, you don’t want to.This User Guide could not have been produced without the help of many of the fine people in the REAPER community. If I try to mention everybody, I’ll be sure to miss some out, so I’ll just mention those whoseassistance has been absolutely invaluable:

Malcolm Jacobson

for his extraordinary efforts in getting together the first REAPER manual.Without this valuable resource, this document could not have been produced..

Jason Brian Merrill

(and others) for their input into the Cockos WIKI. This has been usedextensively in the preparation of this document.

Art Evans

for his technical advice, endless patience and constructive input.

Bevan Fowke

(aka

Bevosss

) for supplying most of the macros used in the Macro AdvantageSection.

Mike Lacey

and

Simon Mullings

for the patient hours spent on the tedious job of proof-reading.

Pipeline Audio

for those great video tutorials. And, of course …

Justin

and

Christophe

, for bringing us REAPER So welcome to REAPER! This User Guide is intended to get you up and running in REAPER, and to help youunderstand 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 toget you “up and running”. You’ll probably find that some sections contain information that you’ll find difficult tounderstand and which you might not need at first. You can just skip over those sections and come back tothem 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 overeven 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 anddetail of REAPER. I’ve tried to approach the topics in what seems a fairly sensible order, introducing itemspretty much on a “need to know” basis. In doing so, I’ve been as careful as I can be to ensure its contents areclear and accurate, but cannot accept any responsibility for any errors or problems you may encounter inapplying it to your work.Finally, I’d like to make it clear that (apart from the extract from the COCKOS Web Site) any views or opinionsexpressed here or anywhere else are entirely my own, and have not been endorsed by COCKOS software orany other person or body associated with REAPER I hope that you get as much from REAPER as I have, andthat this User Guide is more than a little help to you along the way.

As REAPER evolves, this User Guide is frequently updated. Be sure to check the REAPER Downloads page (see opposite) regularly to check for updates.