So I finally installed Reaper. Help!

barryd

Ive been using Pro Tools First since about 2018 I think after trying all sorts of DAWs and getting nowhere. Unbeknown to me nobody else uses it, its been discontinued I believe and there are a fair few things about I dont like but with the lack of info out there I feel I might be missing out so my Christmas project was to set up a new (to me) PC Tower, install a super fast SSD drive and install Reaper and give it a whirl. 

Well today I finally got round to it and sorting out the PC was straight forward enough, got my midi keyboard plugged in, Zoom G3 Guitar pedal and M Audio interface. After a few glitches they are all good.  

So I installed reaper and after half an hour or so I managed to record and somehow playback a guitar twang!  It looks so different though and the prospect of learning a new DAW fills me with dread.  So the question is, can someone point me in the direction of some decent newbie tutorials I can work through over Christmas please?   It looks so different to Pro Tools. 

Winny_Pooh

I've also just started, am using the Manual and the Kenny Gioa vids, although the vids are bit old so some commands/locations have changed. 

equalsql

Go to: https://www.reaper.fm/videos.php

Kenny Gioia's videos are an excellent, well structured series of tutorials on using Reaper from beginner to pro.
He makes each stage a breeze, not too long but with enough detail for you to remember and progress.
I found his work an absolute life saver when I first started using the DAW.

mrkb

Yep, second Kenny Gioia Reaper Mania on YouTube he’s great 

https://youtu.be/DIuNcKfWx1o

mudslide73

I'll augment the Kenny videos by recommending the Hop Pole Studios video primers. They're a bit longer but give you a great start. I use Kenny's videos when I need to do something specific. 

barryd

Great stuff, exactly what I was after.  Ill start tomorrow full of cheap Scotch and Christmas Pudding! 

shufflebeat

There is a lot of great documentation which is easily search-able once you know what you're looking for but when you don't know what questions to ask, Kenny's vids are one of the best resources on the 'net.

The user forum has a ton of newbie stuff which is really helpful. A few users are a bit impatient but there are idiots on all fora, don't let them put you off, most folks are well bought into the whole Reaper mindset, which is help, be constructive, don't be an a/h.

With that in mind, if you get stuck, drop me a PM.

duotone

@equalsql recommended this Reaper theme in another thread & I've been using it ever since.

https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=166697

As you are used to the Pro Tools layout, using one of those themes might help you out: https://stash.reaper.fm/browse.php?q=pro+tools&cat=Themes&v=th&o=nd&pp=24

Gassage

Grim.

merlin

Gassage said:

Grim.

Madness.

barryd

duotone said:

@equalsql recommended this Reaper theme in another thread & I've been using it ever since.

https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=166697

As you are used to the Pro Tools layout, using one of those themes might help you out: https://stash.reaper.fm/browse.php?q=pro+tools&cat=Themes&v=th&o=nd&pp=24

Cheers.  So you can make it look a bit like Pro Tools then. Useful to know. Thanks

Stratavarious

Got two monitors?  It’s great to have tracks and mixer on their own screens.

Look alike themes are def. worth an explore.  I got one that looks like an old school analogue desk.. intuitive for me.

Musicwolf

Stratavarious said:

Got two monitors?  It’s great to have tracks and mixer on their own screens.

I've been working with two monitors for so long now that I'd find it really difficult to go back to one.  Due to space constraints I have one mounted above the other rather than side by side

Having to look up at the top screen isn't ideal but I have the mixer on top / arrange page on the bottom during tracking and editing then swap for final mixing.  If you do have to work with just one screen then the shortcut key for the mix page is your friend (in Cubase it's F3).

shufflebeat

Stratavarious said:

Got two monitors?  It’s great to have tracks and mixer on their own screens.

Good point.

Lenovo laptop HDMI'd to an old (big) TV.

Tracks on laptop, mixer/VST GUI, etc. on big screen, works a treat.