REAPER study guide
Notes from learning to make music in REAPER, built up one question at a time.
0 of 21 topics written up0 solid
Planned — on the map, not written up yet Learning — notes exist, still practicing Solid — comfortable with it
The map
Getting started0/3 written up
Finding your way around REAPER and setting it up to record and play back reliably.
- Interface tourThe main windows (track panel, arrange view, mixer, transport, ruler) and how they relate.
- Audio device, sample rate & buffer sizeChoosing the driver and settings that control latency and stability.
- Projects, files & savingHow REAPER stores projects and media, and how to keep them portable.
Recording & editing0/3 written up
Getting audio in, then cutting, arranging and cleaning it up.
- Recording audioArming tracks, choosing inputs, monitoring, and recording without glitches.
- Editing itemsSplitting, trimming, fading, moving and snapping media items on the timeline.
- Takes & compingRecording multiple takes and assembling the best parts.
MIDI & instruments0/2 written up
Writing and editing MIDI parts and playing them through virtual instruments.
- Virtual instrumentsLoading a VSTi and playing it from a MIDI track.
- MIDI editingThe piano roll, velocity, quantizing and CC lanes.
Mixing0/4 written up
Balancing, shaping and routing tracks so everything sits together.
- Gain staging & levelsKeeping signal healthy from input to master.
- Routing: sends, buses & foldersHow tracks feed each other in REAPER.
- FX, EQ & compression basicsUsing effect chains and understanding the core processors.
- Reverb & delayAdding space and depth, usually through send tracks.
Automation & modulation0/2 written up
Making parameters change over time.
- Envelopes & automationDrawing and recording parameter changes over time, and the automation modes.
- Parameter modulationLinking one parameter to an LFO, audio or another source.
Tempo & arrangement0/2 written up
The musical time base and song structure the DAW has to support.
- Tempo, time signature & gridSetting the musical time base and snapping to it.
- Markers & regionsLabeling song structure and using it to navigate and render.
Mastering & rendering0/2 written up
Getting a finished mix out of REAPER and into the world.
- The master busWhat belongs on the master track and what doesn't.
- RenderingThe render dialog: formats, stems, sample rate and dither.
Customizing REAPER0/3 written up
Bending REAPER to your workflow: actions, scripts, extensions, templates.
- Actions & shortcutsThe Action List, key bindings, and custom actions.
- Extensions & scriptsSWS, ReaPack and ReaScripts.
- TemplatesProject templates and track templates for repeatable setups.