Reaper - my 18th anniversary summary

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I bought REAPER around version 4 as a backup DAW because it allowed for portable installation, but I never got used to using it (or, more accurately, I never learned how to use it), and I hated it. Around version 5, I saw a Kenny Gioia video on YouTube and remembered that I had bought a REAPER license that was still valid, so I started learning REAPER like a beginner. From that day on, I gradually grew to like REAPER, and now I'm a full-fledged REAPER mania.

I think it's more important to learn the vast range of REAPER's functions and actions little by little than to customize it. Many people are so unaware of REAPER's capabilities that they end up buying plugins or installing scripts to do things that REAPER does out of the box.

And the reason many people find REAPER difficult isn't because of the operability or the GUI, but because they haven't learned how to use it.


By the way, today I learned an automation action.

SWS/BR: Set closest left side envelope point's value to mouse cursor (perform until shortcut released)


If you assign this action to a shortcut, you can drag the value of the envelope point closest to the left of the mouse cursor while holding down the shortcut, without having to click to select the tiny envelope point.

This action is very useful, but it's not very well known, is it?

There seem to be a lot of long-time REAPER users here, so I'd love to see some useful actions and how to use them. :phones:
Speedrum 2 is a hidden gem. 8)

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replicant X wrote: Sun Aug 10, 2025 11:46 am By the way, today I learned an automation action.

SWS/BR: Set closest left side envelope point's value to mouse cursor (perform until shortcut released)
Good one! Just added this to my layout.

There seem to be a lot of long-time REAPER users here, so I'd love to see some useful actions and how to use them. :phones:
You should open a separate thread for this. It could help Reaper users old and new.

Here's a couple I use that really speeds up the workflow; they're Custom:

1a Item: Split items at edit cursor (select/crossfafe left)
1b Item: Remove items

Set to a shortcut it splits the item and deletes it from the cursor to the left.

2a Item: Split items at edit cursor (select right)
2b Item: Remove items

Same but deletes item from the cursor to the right.

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replicant X wrote: Sun Aug 10, 2025 11:46 am I bought REAPER around version 4 , but I never got used to using it (or, more accurately, I never learned how to use it), and I hated it. Around version 5, I saw a Kenny Gioia video on YouTube and remembered that I had bought a REAPER license that was still valid, so I started learning REAPER like a beginner. From that day on, I gradually grew to like REAPER, and now I'm a full-fledged REAPER mania.

And the reason many people find REAPER difficult isn't because of the operability or the GUI, but because they haven't learned how to use it.
This is almost exactly what my story is....

Bought a V4 license and just couldn't get with the program...

Then V5 came along and the saxless Kenny G appeared with some great tips & tricks...

That coincided with Henry the Vandal taking a wrecking ball to Sonar...

So I dug deeper into Reaper and it's been my main DAW ever since...

I am so impressed with this program and it keeps getting better with every release...

Now when I try running Cakewalk (which was my DAW since the Pro Audio 9 days) it's like driving a tractor...

Reaper is such a great program 🙏
No auto tune...

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Kenny is a game changer!
Even for the total noob he has his "This is Sparta!" eh "This is Reaper7" series which can bring you up to rocking in short amount of time.
ABX is enemy to GAS

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digitalboytn wrote: Sun Aug 10, 2025 7:26 pm
replicant X wrote: Sun Aug 10, 2025 11:46 am I bought REAPER around version 4 , but I never got used to using it (or, more accurately, I never learned how to use it), and I hated it. Around version 5, I saw a Kenny Gioia video on YouTube and remembered that I had bought a REAPER license that was still valid, so I started learning REAPER like a beginner. From that day on, I gradually grew to like REAPER, and now I'm a full-fledged REAPER mania.

And the reason many people find REAPER difficult isn't because of the operability or the GUI, but because they haven't learned how to use it.
This is almost exactly what my story is....

Bought a V4 license and just couldn't get with the program...

Then V5 came along and the saxless Kenny G appeared with some great tips & tricks...

That coincided with Henry the Vandal taking a wrecking ball to Sonar...

So I dug deeper into Reaper and it's been my main DAW ever since...

I am so impressed with this program and it keeps getting better with every release...

Now when I try running Cakewalk (which was my DAW since the Pro Audio 9 days) it's like driving a tractor...

Reaper is such a great program 🙏
My story too! Sonar was getting the axe and Reaper at version 4 was already just as capable and easier to use.

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replicant X wrote: Sun Aug 10, 2025 11:46 am I bought REAPER around version 4 as a backup DAW because it allowed for portable installation, but I never got used to using it (or, more accurately, I never learned how to use it), and I hated it. Around version 5, I saw a Kenny Gioia video on YouTube and remembered that I had bought a REAPER license that was still valid, so I started learning REAPER like a beginner. From that day on, I gradually grew to like REAPER, and now I'm a full-fledged REAPER mania.
Near similar experience to me - Reaper will always be my go-to DAW

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Nm.
I lost my heart in Cap de Creus

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I started with Version 0.435 I think. Just a few weeks after it went public. I got sick of the forum at one stage when the form was fairly essential and bought and tried a few other daws, FL. Bitwig, Studio One. Bitwig is good but not for audio and very expensive to update. FL and S1 I did not like at all.
Reaper covers both midi and audio very well.
I have paid for extensions and that has been very worthwhile. My main tip is to make macros/actions casually then throw them away if they don't get used all the time. Making a macro gets very quick and for me is better than having stacks of icons and toolbars whose use I forget anyway

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Been also using reaper for the longest time. It started when back 2015 then in my band my Bassist introduced us to reaper.
I instantly fell in love with it bcause it was one thing: stable and customizable.
And though I love Locic more nowadays ( sadly my mac broke) and also use Ableton more and more, Reaper remains still my main Daw right now.
The only 3 things I wish would change is:
- A decent sound library for reasamplomatic (every now and thennIbwork on one myself)
- new skins for the stock plugins like reacomp etc.
- a simpler view (in terms of options and menues) similar to Sonar
- probability in the midi editor
Hi, I'm a Vocal Coach, Songwriter and Producer.
For anyone who needs help on Music Theory or wants to make music contact me here: danielj.golden.official@gmail.com
For Vocal lessons here: gesangsunterrichtdanielreid@gmail.com

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