Hi Guys.

I have recorded quite a bit in the past with an old four track recorder then tried going digital a few time with struggling success with programs including ProTools in recent years. The version I had used an external box and key for the program and was a nightmare to get working. To be honest recording felt like it would never come together.

But early this year I had to record some of my wife's original music and someone suggested Reaper. I had never heard of it. But took the leap due to desperation. Within an hour we had recorded and doubled vocal tracks and a complete song! I find it very intuitive. But am interested in if others are using it and how they have found it? Also any good tutorials on the program itself as well as using digital drum programs.

I was hoping to connect with someone down the track with it to be able get some tips on buidling tracks in it and handling it as I am looking to start doing more serious recording.

For some reason I was stuck on Pro Tools as being the way to go. Does it really matter? Do you guys think there is a similarity between programs once you learn one?

A bit longwinded but thought I would paint the picture of why I am asking.

1st.: All DAW's sound the same.
2nd.: Reaper is very good.
It's the most powerful out there, in terms of stability (under heavy memory/CPU use), function and extendability.
Nothing PT or any other DAW can do that Reaper won't. PT is NO LONGER the 'industry standard'.

One caveat for some people is that there are many ways to accomplish the same goal(s), and the workflow is entirely up to you. I personally like it and won't have it any other way.
The UI is getting quite old fashioned, but you can customize most of it to your liking, and there are some magnificent themes.

I highly recommend going over the manual back to back, you'll have the confidence to tackle any audio task, and learn the scope of the program's actions and capabilities.
The Reaper forum is the second nicest place on the Internet. Really helpful and upful.

Any specific help you need, you can ask me.

Last edited: Dec 10, 2016 11:09:14

They are a small company based in San Francisco, I believe the guy behind it all had a hand in the Sony Vegas video editor. I've had it on my PC for over a year and it still offers me updates even though I haven't paid a penny for it, If I used it more often I'd gladly pay £40 for it.

I know a few EDM guys, they all know each other and pass work around. Pretty much without exception they all use Logic, if you ask about Pro Tools they'll make a face and say something about Logic being compatible with Pro Tools ..they really don't like it much though.

DreadInBabylon wrote:

Those EDM guys are only MAC fanboys.

Ha yes! Back a few years a pc would only run 8 tracks before timing errors occurred, an old beige Mac desktop would slaughter a pc for audio. Sure we can all have a studio these days, you pays your money and takes your pick. The guys that have been in it for the long term who started out with an Amiga with 3 seconds sample time, who work 12 hours or more a day 7 day a week. Who develop a flat palm from holding the mouse for so long (one the most peculiar sights!) Those Mac fan boys:) I believe use Logic!

Hi Phil. Reaper doesn't usually get many comments on this forum I don't know why. It's great software and you're on the right road imo. If you haven't already, check out the free 1960s Ludwig drum-kit: HERE

Ezdrummer 2 is probably the easiest way although i'm not sure it contains surf drum patterns which could be a hang-up. MT Power Drum kit is a free VST drum-kit that works ok with Reaper: HERE

The Free Ludwig kit, once you've found a place to keep the folder (I can't remember where off hand) will launch into Reaper with a click of the mouse. It is a very manual affair though, it quite tough to get sounding sweet.

Ariel wrote:

1st.: All DAW's sound the same.
2nd.: Reaper is very good.
It's the most powerful out there, in terms of stability (under heavy memory/CPU use), function and extendability.
Nothing PT or any other DAW can do that Reaper won't. PT is NO LONGER the 'industry standard'.

One caveat for some people is that there are many ways to accomplish the same goal(s), and the workflow is entirely up to you. I personally like it and won't have it any other way.
The UI is getting quite old fashioned, but you can customize most of it to your liking, and there are some magnificent themes.

I highly recommend going over the manual back to back, you'll have the confidence to tackle any audio task, and learn the scope of the program's actions and capabilities.
The Reaper forum is the second nicest place on the Internet. Really helpful and upful.

Any specific help you need, you can ask me.

Several points to argue here... but I wont pick any other than to say that NOT all DAWs sound the same. Harrison MixBus is amazing and does not sound like all the rest.

I didn't say any was better or worse... simply pointing out we shouldn't say things that are demonstrably false.

Surfing_Sam_61 wrote:

Looks interesting I took a look on https://www.reaper.fm/userguide.php
they have a manual on Amazon I might get (but its like 70 bucks used? Maybe its with the program on CD -rom ???, but I already have interface with a different DAW program still in the box from last year - been too lazy to fool with it yet.

I found this video - Is this the same one your all talking about here?

Does anyone share tracks on here? - like make a song by different players all over the world trading exported/inported tracks?

Yeah Reaper is a great DAW. I used it for years before switching to MixBus

PTPDennis wrote:

I didn't say any was better or worse... simply pointing out we shouldn't say things that are demonstrably false.

You did imply better, and haven't demonstrated anything except your opinion.
Could be that my above statement shouldn't have been that absolute, I'll concede to that. The OP addressed Pro-Tools, so I regarded that and %99 of other DAWs in my answer, 3 years ago...
Did Harrison invent their own unique math?
I too can slap a saturation plug-in on each track and the 2 buss, change the pan law to non DAW standard and voila: difference! Personally I find it a turn off to have it built-in, to not get the same expected result as any other DAW, but for each their own.
Instead of this nit-picky silliness, why won't you tell us why you like MixBus, I'm sure it's a capable program.

Surfing_Sam_61,
The basic manual is more than enough, it's got everything. AFTER you go through it, for tips, tricks and workflow methods, these books can be a nice augmentation, but I find the Reaper forum as well as various other sources (like 1138 pointed out) even better, more accessible and up to date assets. If I were a professional, which I'm not, I'd consider purchasing them nevertheless.

Last edited: Feb 12, 2019 05:17:27