Cook

Install extensions

Simply drag the .dylib file into ~/Library/Application Support/REAPER/UserPlugins

Recording

Loop recording with pre-roll each time

This will allow us to loop record while being able to hear the part that comes before the actual section to be recorded on each iteration of the loop

• source

1. Disable options > Loop points linked to time selection
2. Record mode > time selection auto punch
3. Enable options > new recording that overlaps existing media items > splits items and creates new takes

• already enabled by default

4. Set monitoring mode of the track to Monitor input (Tape auto style) (so we don't hear the previous take during the pre-roll)
5. Drag in a ruler for the whole section including the pre-roll
6. Create a time selection in the area you want to record into
7. Metronome settings - count-in turned off, pre-roll before recording turned off

Render MIDI: Record the output of one track to another

Imagine we have a MIDI track with some VSTi plugin (origin track), and want to get the soundwaves of that output onto a new track (destination track).

1. On the destination track, enable:

• Monitor Input
• Record Output > Record Output (stereo)
• Record Output > Output mode: post-fader

2. On the destination track, add the origin track(s) as a receives
3. Record

Use computer keyboard as MIDI controller

1. Enable Input Monitoring on the track
2. Input: MIDI: Virtual MIDI Keyboard > All channels
3. View > Virtual MIDI Keyboard (opt+b)
4. Arm track for recording

Record output from Mac to a track in Reaper

Useful for instance if we find a Sitar drone track on Youtube that you want to insert as a track into the project

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzIwPV1b8M8

Automation for media item

In the FX, hit param > show media item take envelope

Editing

Side-chain compression

• see side-chain compression Dendron note

example use-case: vocals cause the guitar to duck

1. on the track we want to compress (guitar), open routing
2. specify 4 track channels

• if you also want, say, a violin lead track to compress the guitar, then add 2 more channels

3. set a new receive from the track that will trigger the compression (lead vocal track)

• this receive should be post-fader
• it should receive the vocal signal to channels 3 and 4 of our compressed track (guitar)

4. add the compressor onto the compressed track (guitar)

• open Plug-in pin connector and ensure Main Inputs are set to Channel 1 and Channel 2 (left and right, respectively), and that Left and Right Auxiliary inputs are set to the Receives from Channels 3 and 4, respectively. Compressed Output 1 should be Channel 1 and Compressed output 2 should be Channel 2. These settings are default.

5. In our compression plugin, set it to be triggered by the auxiliary input

• in ReaComp, find the detector input dropdown and select Auxiliary inputs

Check if sound is mono or stereo

Even though a media item may have 2 channels, it may not actually be stereo. We can check this by reversing the polarity of one of the channels, and panning both channels to center. If it's actually a mono sound, we won't hear anything, due to phase cancellation.

• use plugin JS: Stereo Channel Volume/Pan/Polarity