Setting Up A Recording Session In REAPER

Naava

Last Update a year ago

  • Open REAPER
    • If you are using an evaluation license, click 'still evaluating'

Caption: REAPER opening pop up

  • Make sure your session specs match the requirements
  • Go to the top 'REAPER' menu -> Preferences -> Audio -> Device
    • The sample rate should be set to 44100
    • Ensure the 'Audio Device' dropdown menu is set to your microphone or interface
  • Don't forget to click 'Apply'

Caption: REAPER Preferences Menu

  • To ensure your session is set correctly, go to the top 'File' menu -> Project Settings
  • Ensure the sample rate is correct
    • If you'd like, you can 'Save as default project settings'

Caption: REAPER Project Settings Menu

  • To confirm these settings, you can also look at the top of your computer screen while in REAPER.

Caption: The top bar of the computer screen

  • Set Pre-Roll.
    • Go to the top 'Options' menu -> click 'Metronome/Pre-Roll Settings
        • Select the amount of pre-roll you want and close the menu

Caption: Metronome and Pre-Roll Settings Menu in REAPER

  • Record 'arm' your track
  • Ensure to click both the record button to the left of the track and the record enable button on the bottom of your screen.

Caption: REAPER window with two arrows pointing to the record arm and record enable buttons

  • Start recording.
  • Clean up punch points.
  • Fix any edit spots with cut-off words or breaths.
  • Use crossfades to make the edit points clean.
  • Export your audio chapter by chapter
    • Drop markers in between chapters
      • To drop a marker, click the ‘M’ key on your keyboard or go to the top 'insert' menu -> Marker
  • Select one chapter (using the markers) at a time and convert the chapter to a region (from time selection)
    • Insert -> Region (From Time Selection)
  • Render the regions out (with NO fx)
    • File -> Render  -> select ‘Project Region’ in the 'Bounds' dropdown menu
      • Make sure to uncheck the option for 'Tail'

Caption: Render Menu in REAPER

  • Ensure your export settings are correct. Use the 'format' dropdown menu to choose if you want to save a wav or mp3 file.

Caption: Render Menu in REAPER Showing Export Settings for an .mp3 File

Caption: Render Menu in REAPER Showing Export Settings for a .wav File

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