This Just Got Awesome: Reaper for Radio 005

In this episode, we're going to cover a lot of ground as we customize REAPER to streamline it to the public radio and podcasting workflow. So keep your hand on the pause button as we explore this laundry list of enhancements (in order):

- Simplifying / Decluttering the main view of REAPER
+ Removing unneeded buttons
+ Hiding Sends and FX inserts
+ Disabling Snapping and Grid Lines
- Creating a new Default Project Template
- Enhancing Default Reaper Behaviors
+ Changing Zoom Behavior to follow Mouse Cursor
+ Adding custom Splash Screen
- Changing Keyboard Shortcuts
+ V key for Volume (pre-fx) Envelope
+ M key to prompt for Marker Name
+ R key to cycle Ripple Mode
- Creating Custom Button for Docked Master Meter
- Importing / Exporting Configurations

Please put your thoughts and questions in the comments, please rate and subscribe.

If you like this tutorial, you'll love my podcast. It's called Here Be Monsters and it lives right here:

Reaper for Radio: Learn the public radio and podcasting workflow for REAPER, a powerful, all-in-one and highly affordable Digital Audio Workstation.

[Jsiann]

Finding your tutorial really is life saving. I can not thank you enough for making extremely clear and easy to follow, easy to understand editing articles for radio/podcast. Thank you!! I’ll be watching all your other videos too. And will check out your radio projects for sure.

This level of customization is unprecedented in any other programs I know. The flexibility is amazing! Thanks for all the info!

[bobodemag]

Jeff, even tho my use of reaper is not radio oriented, I truly appreciate your clear communications skills in explaining Reaper's functions.  So many tutorials written by musicians or others have no structure or continuity of thought or process. Thank you for being you, and I look forward to any other Reaper items.
 Translation:  I am too old and lazy to agonize my way through the manual. :) 
Respectfully, Bob

[ConnorWalsh_briz]

Hi Jeff, yep Transom is a rock! And yep I joined AIR a few weeks ago.
One thing which maybe you could help with in future tutorials, is, the automation modes. Touch, write, latch – I know this is standard for Pro Tools etc but it still ties me in knots… or messy envelopes at least!

[RyanHaydenMattoon]

This series was awesome and really helped me get going on Reaper.  I've used Audacity, Garageband, and Audition, but after going through these tutorials, I've found reaper to be the best.  I'd really appreciate it if you keep them coming.

[kurtotto]

good one. I'll come back to this.

[JeffEmtman]

TOUCH mode is the most useful. It listens for your input, then once you let go, it returns to the value that was previously written on the envelope. That's a confusing way of putting it, but you could think of touch mode as "the way you'd logically think things would work".

Here's another way of thinking of it
READ = Paper w/o pencils
WRITE = Etch-a-sketch
LATCH = Packing Tape
TOUCH = Jell-o

But again, I say just put it in touch mode and leave it, unless you're mixing with a physical mixer

[stevedoherty]

An excellent set of tutorials. I've used lots of different DAWs - but I think Reaper has just become my favourite. I have a series of 6 x 28 minute shows for BBC Radio 4 to turn around in next 2 weeks, so I'm throwing myself in at the deep end - with your help! Thanks!

[ConnorWalsh_briz]

Thanks for the series Jeff! In particular this episode – I've had Reaper for about a year I think, and boy it it took a while to get it set up in a way that felt comfortable. Now I've added your tweaks from here, along side reading up on levels and compression on Transom, and feeling better set than ever to get makings stuff with quite involved editing. So, thanks!

[JeffEmtman]

For sure. I'm thinking of doing a grab-bag episode here somewhere to address all the little questions like this one. Though I can explain briefly here. In general, don't worry about automation modes--they are meant for people with big mixers or people who like mixing in real time. Generally our stuff is going to be more slow and methodical.

[JustinSBarrett]

Great video, Jeff! I've been using Reaper for a couple years for my voiceover work, but have only scratched the surface of learning its features and customizing it to fit my needs. I picked up a few new tips from your videos, and can't wait to see more! Thanks!

[stevedoherty]

PS - a file with your shortcuts (as mentioned) would be super-useful!

[ConnorWalsh_briz]

Above and beyond the call of duty Jeff, thank you!

[JeffEmtman]

Thanks Justin! I'm really glad that you're starting to poke around under the hood a bit. It's these customizations that set reaper apart.

Never hesitate to write if you've any suggestions for future episodes or strange questions.

[JeffEmtman]

Glad to hear it, Connor.

Transom is really a great resource. If you're not a member of AIR already, you might consider that too, just for the mailing list. Jeff Towne tends to write up really good informative answers to just about any technical question in the world on the email list, well worth the hundred-ish dollars a year.

I'll be posting more of these tutorials soon. Never hesitate to send in suggestions for future episodes!

[JeffEmtman]

Thanks Steve! Glad you found these helpful. I'm making more soon and am glad to see that we've got another convert! You've definitely made the right descision if you're looking to flip a bunch of audio quickly. What are you producing for them?

Don't hesitate to reach out with questions,
J

[thevisinaryy]

"So now we will re open reaper and a nice picture of cornbread shows up, were doing really well so far" lol

[JeffEmtman]

But, to answer the question:
READ is read-only mode, won't allow for changes
WRITE is write only mode, which will constatnly be writing envelope data regardless of whether you're controlling anything --this one's dangerous, because you can overwrite your previous work very easilly
LATCH will start writing automation data as soon as you tweak a knob, once you let go of the knob, it will keep writing the same value for the envelope out into perpetuity

[kurtotto]

nice work. so many tutorials are unwatchable. its down to the intelligence of the tutor, not the technical part, but just how to talk and move along. I like your attitude about Reaper, too. I'll be watching..

[ChristopherJensenNH]

This is all great you've done a wonderful job but when do we get to things like picking parts of interviews and then mixing them with my tracks?