Goodbye Pro Tools, Hello Reaper!!

[Azamat Bagatov]

Hi guys, I just got banned from the Avid Audio forums for asking a question that was simultaneously bashing that bloated POS software. You know, simple things like being able to use your keyboard through the midi inputs on your 003 after an update do not exist within Protools land. No, in "pro"tools land you must jump through leaps and bounds to perform simple tasks and you must travel back in time in order to progress.

I hope that there is a program out there than can encompass what I did like about pro tools (which pretty much is the simplicity of the GUI). Every other DAW I tried (including Reaper) were to busy and complicated for no reason. They should just emulate Protools (but with the Reaper brain). Pro tools is like a hot body with no brain, and a whole lot of baggage...and once she's in, she's in to stay.

[Roman Rowlands]

Originally Posted by Azamat Bagatov

Hi guys, I just got banned from the Avid Audio forums for asking a question that was simultaneously bashing that bloated POS software. You know, simple things like being able to use your keyboard through the midi inputs on your 003 after an update do not exist within Protools land. No, in "pro"tools land you must jump through leaps and bounds to perform simple tasks and you must travel back in time in order to progress.

I hope that there is a program out there than can encompass what I did like about pro tools (which pretty much is the simplicity of the GUI). Every other DAW I tried (including Reaper) were to busy and complicated for no reason. They should just emulate Protools (but with the Reaper brain). Pro tools is like a hot body with no brain, and a whole lot of baggage...and once she's in, she's in to stay.

You are not alone there, quite a few ppl love PT's GUI & for that reason they struggle to like other DAWs. Try to think alone the lines that music comes first & gear, especially the way it looks, second. It's all in the mind. I didn't like Reaper's GUI at first & kept looking for themes that emulate PT, that didn't work out too well. So I adopted the Apollo v4t theme & tweaked it, right now I can't think of any other DAW that I would prefer to Reaper. I have adapted, actually no, I made Reaper adapt to my way of working.

[Kenny Gioia]

Originally Posted by Roman Rowlands

I have adapted, actually no, I made Reaper adapt to my way of working.

That's the idea!!!!

[Roman Rowlands]

BTW for MIDI I mostly use Maschine either as a plugin or as a standalone.

[Azamat Bagatov]

With Reaper, when I used it, I found to be kind of cumbersome with midi. I just started using Ableton again, and so far I'm loving it. I really can't understand how a program that you pay 600 for has horrible virtual instrument handling, takes plugins 4x longer to load, and all around just blows. Bye bye pro tools.

[Scott Church]

How do you guys feel about the vocal editing in PT 10? Do you think it's worth the bang or do you think Reaper and adding Melodyne could get you there?

[Kenny Gioia]

Originally Posted by Scott Church

How do you guys feel about the vocal editing in PT 10? Do you think it's worth the bang or do you think Reaper and adding Melodyne could get you there?

I definitely prefer comping vocals in Reaper.

You have a keystroke for everything so you can hit a key for each take you want to hear. No menus. No buttons.

[aTelecine-Lex]

Reaper (The Company) wished me a Happy Birthday a few days ago... True Story

Avid totally forgot all about it ;-(

(Reason #991 that I love Reaper) =)

[sambosun]

Hey guys i am scratching reapers surface right now and adjusted the actions to the way i am using studio 1 and logic. Does anybody know if there is a toggle midi editor command and an option to auto update the midi editor for selected region/event?

[aTelecine-Lex]

Originally Posted by sambosun

Hey guys i am scratching reapers surface right now and adjusted the actions to the way i am using studio 1 and logic. Does anybody know if there is a toggle midi editor command and an option to auto update the midi editor for selected region/event?

I am sure there is a "toggle" for the MIDI editor command. You can do this several different ways.

I am on my mobile so I only recall the way I have the MIDI editor set (it's probably the best (easiest/fastest) way.

To do this "CREATE a "New Toolbar" - Then you can drag and drop commands from the (I think) "actions an commands" window under the "View" menu.

The Simply drag and drop "MIDI editor" to the new toolbar - Then you may place that toolbar anywhere you wish.

Or, of course, you may also just drag and drop the MIDI EDITOR to an already existing toolbar of that's easier.

As I said I am on my mobile so
and you may be using a different menu set then I am -

So, if you are still having trouble PM me and I will happily walk you through the process.

And I would be happy to help you with any other Reaper questions you may have.

Best,
Lex

[Josh Rose]

I started using reaper about a month ago and have been completely blown away. It's so fast and reliable. Its way more effecient with my processor as well. I can use almost twice as many plugs as in my previous daw of choice.

It's incredibly flexible to boot, and it's great routing abilities have already sparked some new creative techniques.

It also comes with better, and more useful plugins than other daw's, in my opinion.

Love it!

[namnibor]

I was having alot of unidentifiable *noise* using PTMP9 and AVID Fast Track C600. I primarily record hardware synths so all connections, cables, grounds, and set-ups had been quadra-checked before approaching AVID elitists with my problem. Before anyone would even answer was told to post my DAW PC specs to make sure it was a pc configuration APPROVED by AVID. Well, of course, i was bashed because I have a very fast video editting PC that has ran Reaper with absolutely no problems and was able to run PTMP9 as well. I was crassly told that NO ONE uses AMD processors let alone "Bulldozer" AMD and the answer was to spend a few thousand on a "proper pc"!!! What A$$'s they are!
So I asked for support from AVID and instead of giving me any pc bashing, AVID tells me the latest driver update could not FIX what I am experiencing and has been found to be a HARDWARE PROBLEM on the Fast Track C600 Interface...made by AVID! Still under warranty however, when I sent a request for service RMA, AVID told me "we are currently in transition and at some point IF your warranty is still VALID, you may request same to whomever takes over support..."!!! EEEEK~! Okay, at this point I want my money back since they KNOW it's a hardware problem but are not willing to fix it! Well, I may post a YouTube video in future of creatively destroying the C600 to some equally violently happy music in near future BECAUSE: AVID suggested I purchase their higher-end Fast Track Pro Series Interface since there's no work around with the known hardware problem!!! (another EEEK) Now I read that AVID has "DIVESTED ITSELF" from it's consumer line products to include the M-Audio stuff and I happen to own the only thing IMO M-Audio has made great, the Axiom Pro 61 Midi Controller...these "consumer" products are going where Alesis, Numark, and Akai have gone to either die or make DJ equipment sentences!
So, on topic here, I am very HAPPY with REAPER, not one pc problem and still learning it, purchased Kenny Giolia's Reaper 4 DVD and in same Youtube violently happy to be free from restraints of ProTools, the Axiom may be seen as well as a bubbly, dripping, melting plastic mass while my hardware synths sing their funeral procession!
Yes, AVID triggered my military PTSD but in a violently HAPPY WAY!
What pretentious a$$es they can be and what business model can survive treating paying customers this way? Oh, I forgot, I am ONLY a "consumer", not a "Pro" to AVID!

[namnibor]

...wanted to add that have you all NOTICED that Izotope's IRIS specifically states not only will work as stand alone but also in REAPER? VERY smart of them to include we REAPER convertees!

[Movinginstereo]

REAPER user here. One big hurdle with REAPER is editing. I believe it takes CUSTOMIZATION to make it work correctly.

My biggest CUSTOMIZATION was

"move edit cursor to the start of current measure"

< and >

"move edit cursor to the start of next measure"

in the ACTION dropdown menu.

It's a must for editing. It makes the playhead SNAP to the MEASURES for example 4 bars ahead if your song is in 4/8.

Hope this helps somebody.

[Movinginstereo]

PS This is NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH the:

< SNAP > BUTTON which for some reason looks like a HORSESHOE.

I actually like the snap button quite a bit as well for editing, but again I am used to being able to move forward or back with a dedicated button (< or >) on the keyboard.

[Nick Morris]

Originally Posted by Movinginstereo

< SNAP > BUTTON which for some reason looks like a HORSESHOE.

.

Lol!! Magnet?

[Kenny Gioia]

Originally Posted by Nick Morris

Lol!! Magnet?

No. It's a horseshoe.

[Kenny Gioia]

Originally Posted by Movinginstereo

REAPER user here. One big hurdle with REAPER is editing. I believe it takes CUSTOMIZATION to make it work correctly.

That depends on what you mean by "correctly".

We all work differently. Did you come from another DAW and therefore are familiar with a particular way?

The beauty of Reaper is that you CAN customize it almost anyway you want. You just need to know what's available. Which is a daunting task.

I'm still finding new actions all the time.

[namnibor]

That's yet another thing I am loving about Reaper; the ability to configure/customize to the way YOU work, rather than being a slave to a particular DAW's keystroke shortcuts, but much much more as am still learning beneath the simplicity hides a depth and breadth as far as one wants to travel down the rabbit hole. Thinking of purchasing the printed manual but really highly recommend Kenny Gioia's "Reaper 4 Explained" DVD from GROOVE 3. I opted for the DVD but they automatically send you a download as well immediately upon ordering and they sent for free a DVD "Songwriting Theory Explained" , which is handy for me as a recently disabled USA Military Veteran, to brush-up on various skill-sets!
May I ask here if Reaper is on my DAW primary O.S. 7200 rpm Drive with 64 mb cache, recording to my second 1 TB drive of same speed and cache size; does it work best with Reaper to have say Camel Audio's Alchemy and samples for VST on same drive as Reaper or would an external third drive via USB 3 or even eSATA nexus work best keeping in mind lowest latency possible? (Have 12 GB ram and GPU has 2 GB dedicated)
Lastly, I see Reaper is supported by Novation's Automap 4 and I own a SL MK II 61 controller, wondering how Reaper handles the Automap "wrapper" since M-Audio Axiom Pro's "Hypercontrol" does not seem to support Reaper at all other than manually assign CC's to wherever? Thanks in advance. I am not a noob to synths and sound design, but due to long military career, I am playing catch-up with good books on midi and admitedly noob to DAW recording.

[Kenny Gioia]

Originally Posted by namnibor

That's yet another thing I am loving about Reaper; the ability to configure/customize to the way YOU work, rather than being a slave to a particular DAW's keystroke shortcuts, but much much more as am still learning beneath the simplicity hides a depth and breadth as far as one wants to travel down the rabbit hole. Thinking of purchasing the printed manual but really highly recommend Kenny Gioia's "Reaper 4 Explained" DVD from GROOVE 3. I opted for the DVD but they automatically send you a download as well immediately upon ordering and they sent for free a DVD "Songwriting Theory Explained" , which is handy for me as a recently disabled USA Military Veteran, to brush-up on various skill-sets!
May I ask here if Reaper is on my DAW primary O.S. 7200 rpm Drive with 64 mb cache, recording to my second 1 TB drive of same speed and cache size; does it work best with Reaper to have say Camel Audio's Alchemy and samples for VST on same drive as Reaper or would an external third drive via USB 3 or even eSATA nexus work best keeping in mind lowest latency possible? (Have 12 GB ram and GPU has 2 GB dedicated)
Lastly, I see Reaper is supported by Novation's Automap 4 and I own a SL MK II 61 controller, wondering how Reaper handles the Automap "wrapper" since M-Audio Axiom Pro's "Hypercontrol" does not seem to support Reaper at all other than manually assign CC's to wherever? Thanks in advance. I am not a noob to synths and sound design, but due to long military career, I am playing catch-up with good books on midi and admitedly noob to DAW recording.

I would ask these questions on the Reaper forum as well.

Thanks for the support.

[MarkusColeman]

Originally Posted by Roman Rowlands

Try to think alone the lines that music comes first & gear, especially the way it looks, second. It's all in the mind. I didn't like Reaper's GUI at first & kept looking for themes that emulate PT, that didn't work out too well. So I adopted the Apollo v4t theme & tweaked it, right now I can't think of any other DAW that I would prefer to Reaper. I have adapted, actually no, I made Reaper adapt to my way of working.

I'm quite comfortable over here as well.

[rockridge]

Long time protools user, but I thought I'd give Reaper a try.
I grabbed a bunch of audio tracks... combination of dual mono and mono. Everything consolidated starting at measure one... keeping it simple.

Went to drag them into Reaper from the desktop and it appears that all the tracks import as mono.
Like Protools 5, ok, I guess I can deal with that. I'll just render the pairs inside the Arrange Area and I'll be good to go. No good, you just wind up with stereo versions on the mono tracks.

Did some searching and found a blog that gave a solution.
1 Create a track above the two mono files.
2 Change the track to a folder.
3 Pan the dual mono hard left and right.
4 Then render.

That same blog also claims that Reaper deals with all audio as stereo.

Point is, if Cockos wants to win over Protools users, it should be easier.
I was expecting drag and drop.

[sdsi]

I get files mono and stereo from other DAWs all the time and when I import them they show up as such. Maybe its because I use the insert command instead of dragging and dropping?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

[mr jkn]

Goodbye Reaper, hello Logic!

[Halloween]

Originally Posted by mr jkn

Goodbye Reaper, hello Logic!

Goodbye logic, hello protools.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

[beechstudio]

Originally Posted by MarkusColeman

I'm quite comfortable over here as well.

LOVE this skin Markus! Is it your design or available from Cockos?

[rockridge]

Originally Posted by sdsi

I get files mono and stereo from other DAWs all the time and when I import them they show up as such. Maybe its because I use the insert command instead of dragging and dropping

Are you saying that dual mono files come over on a single track when inserting from inside the program?
One track, instead of two?

[-tc-]

Originally Posted by beechstudio

LOVE this skin Markus! Is it your design or available from Cockos?

XxX REA-EVOLUTION 2 IN STASH - Cockos Confederated Forums

[CaptainHook]

Originally Posted by rockridge

Went to drag them into Reaper from the desktop and it appears that all the tracks import as mono.
Like Protools 5, ok, I guess I can deal with that. I'll just render the pairs inside the Arrange Area and I'll be good to go. No good, you just wind up with stereo versions on the mono tracks.

That doesn't sound right to me.. I do that all the time. Don't forget reaper has one 'track' type and it will just playback whatever is on that track.. mono or stereo audio.. midi data.. etc. Even different types on the same track will all just play.

But, if you're dragging in two mono files from say ProTools that were part of a stereo track, then i think yes you will find that problem since Reaper doesn't treat stereo tracks as individual mono files. I think that's a uniquely PT thing. I believe in PT10 you can finally use stereo audio as a single file without ProTools breaking them apart into mono, which IMHO should have been done a long time ago but they couldn't until they re-worked the ancient DAE into something closer to what most modern DAWs do.

The work-around you read on the blog is to deal with that old legacy PT way which really makes it a pro tools issue.

If you deal with files from older versions of PT a lot (or someone still using dual mono in PT10 or another app) then i would read this post and ones after it in this thread and make a custom action:

would like to combine 2 mono tracks to 1 stereo track - Cockos Confederated Forums

[rockridge]

Originally Posted by CaptainHook

That doesn't sound right to me.. I do that all the time...

What do you do? You say you can take dual mono files and Reaper creates a single track in one move?

I've also tested dragging files from the desktop onto DP 7.2 and Logic 9.1.7 on a Hackintosh I built.

DP will convert the dual mono to stereo interleaved on the fly.

Logic just deals with them as they are. All the tracks "look" like mono, but in the upper left corner you'll see a circle for mono, two circles for dual mono, and two overlapping circles for stereo interleaved.

Thanks for the link... I'll check it out.