REAPER (Rapid Environment for Audio Production, Engineering, and Recording) is a digital audio workstation, MIDI sequencer and video editing software application created by Cockos. The current version is available for Microsoft Windows (XP and newer), macOS (10.5 and newer), and Linux.[1][2] REAPER acts as a host to most industry-standard plug-in formats (such as VST and AU) and can import all commonly used media formats, including video. REAPER and its included plug-ins are available in 32-bit and 64-bit format.
REAPER development is led by Justin Frankel, who also created Winamp and the Gnutella peer-to-peer file sharing network. A preview was released in 2005 and the first official shareware release was in August 2006 with a download size of only 2MB and a "huge feature set, incredibly low price and surface simplicity".[3]
Version 2.0 (October 2007) included a more sophisticated user interface, an extended mixer, and the ability to save and load screen layouts. This update also added the Zplane Elastique 2 algorithms for enhanced time-stretching and pitch shifting, supported Windows and Mac OS and remained compact enough to run off a USB memory stick.[4]
Version 3 (2009) added nested tracks, plugin controls in the mixer, VCA grouping and enhanced automation and MIDI features.[5]
Version 4 (2011) continued Cockos' reputation of "listening and involving their user base with frequent updates, beta versions and forum discussion"[6] while adding features such as automatable pitch shift envelopes, multichannel setups such as quad, 5.1, 7.1 and 9.1, improved project management and window arrangement customization.
Version 5 (2015) added video editing capability, automation of individual effect parameters, enhanced scripting and VST3 support.[7]
Version 6 (2019) introduced Retina, HiDPI and Metal display support for higher resolution and faster screen redraw, FX plugin embedding for faster workflow, MIDI CC envelope automation, a graphical patchbay and performance improvements for projects with 200+ tracks.[8]
Version 7 (2024) added support for track lanes, swipe comping, up to 128 channels of audio per track and 128 buses for MIDI routing with unlimited audio tracks.[9]
Licensing
REAPER offers a fully functional evaluation period of 60 days. Following this period, users may purchase one of two available licenses: commercial or discounted. Both licenses have identical features but the discounted license is intended for private use, educational institutions, and small businesses. Purchased licenses include all updates to the current version and next version of the software. For example, a license purchased for any release of version 7 includes all updates to version 7, as well as version 8 and all of its updates. Each license covers all configurations and allows installation on multiple computers, as long as it is only used on one computer at a time.[10]
Customization
REAPER offers a comprehensive range for multi-track recording and editing, MIDI recording and editing, internal non-realtime downmixing, and track-by-track effects looping. The routing concept eliminates the necessity for dedicated bus, aux, and MIDI tracks, allowing each track to accommodate both audio and MIDI data. Multi-track editing is facilitated through object grouping, analogous to the approach employed in Samplitude. Both individual elements and complete tracks can be grouped. The options for macro customization, allowing users to combine complex function sequences into a macro through a drag-and-drop individual commands and assigning them to the user interface, a keyboard key, a mouse button or a MIDI/OSC command, according to the user's specifications. Furthermore, REAPER offers an extension API that facilitates deep integration of third-party software within the REAPER environment.
The graphical user interface (GUI) of REAPER can be modified according to the user's preferences through the use of customizable themes. These themes can be created by the user themselves, allowing for a high degree of flexibility in adapting the software to their specific needs. Additionally, the default theme from each previous version of REAPER is included, providing a starting point for users who may not have the time or inclination to create their own themes.
ReaScript allows users to customize REAPER by editing, running, and debugging scripts. This feature supports the creation of personalized themes, the extension of REAPER’s functionality, and the development of advanced macros and comprehensive extensions. Scripts can be written in EEL2 (JSFX/Jesusonic script), Lua and Python.[11]
ReaPack offers a comprehensive solution for managing and installing extensions sourced from a variety of repositories.[12]
The SWS/S&M extension (founded by Standing Water Studios' Tim Payne) is a widely used open-source extension to REAPER that offers workflow enhancements such as snapshots, marker actions and advanced tempo/groove manipulation capabilities.[13]
ReaClassical offers a fully open-source environment for classical music editing, featuring source-destination editing, multitrack track-group editing, and a two-lane crossfade editor.[14]
Additionally, REAPER supports multiple languages, with downloadable language packs available. Both users and developers can create their own language packs for REAPER.[15]
Included software and plug-ins
REAPER comes with a variety of commonly used audio production effects. They include tools such as ReaEQ (parametric equalizer), ReaVerb (reverb), ReaGate (audio gate), ReaDelay (delay), ReaPitch (pitch shifting), ReaComp (compression) and ReaTune (automatic tuning of vocals or other audio). The included plug-ins are also accessible as a standalone download for users of other DAWs as the "ReaPlugs VST FX Suite".[16]
Also included are hundreds of JSFX plug-ins[17] ranging from standard effects to specific applications for MIDI and audio. JSFX scripts are editable text files,[18] which when loaded into REAPER (exactly like a VST or other plug-in) become full-featured plugins ranging from simple audio effects (e.g delay, distortion, compression) to instruments (synths, samplers) and other special purpose tools (drum triggering and surround panning).
REAPER includes no third-party software, but is fully compatible with all versions of the VST standard (currently VST2 and VST3). It can also run AU plugins (on macOS), CLAP plug-ins, DX plugins (on Windows) and LV2 plugins,[19] and thus works with the vast majority of free and commercial plug-ins. REAPER x64 can also run 32-bit plug-ins alongside 64-bit processes.[17] As of version 5.97, REAPER supports ARA 2 plugins.[20]
Video editing
REAPER allows video, audio, MIDI and still images to be freely combined on any track.[17] REAPER offers the ability to cut and trim video files and edit or replace their audio. It supports common video effects such as fades, wipes, cross-fades, opacity, motion detection and text titles. Video can be viewed in a separate window while working.[21]
Control surface support and remote control
REAPER has built-in support for:
BCF2000 – Behringer's motorized faders control surface, USB/MIDI[22]
TranzPort – Frontier Design Group's wireless transport control[23]
AlphaTrack – Frontier Design Group's AlphaTrack control surface[24]
FaderPort – Presonus' FaderPort control surface[25]
MCU – Mackie's "Mackie Control Universal" control surface[27]
REAPER's built-in web control allows control of the software from any other device on the same network, such as a tablet, smartphone or another computer.[28] REAPER also supports the Open Sound Control (OSC) standard.[29]
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