REAPER

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".{{cite web |title=Cockos Reaper DAW|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/cockos-reaper-daw |access-date=18 September 2024}}

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.{{cite web |title=Cockos Reaper 2.4 |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/cockos-reaper-24 |access-date=18 September 2024}}

Version 3 (2009) added nested tracks, plugin controls in the mixer, VCA grouping and enhanced automation and MIDI features.{{cite web |title=Cockos Reaper 3|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/cockos-reaper-3 |access-date=18 September 2024}}

Version 4 (2011) continued Cockos' reputation of "listening and involving their user base with frequent updates, beta versions and forum discussion"{{cite web |title=Cockos Reaper 4 review |date=21 September 2011 |url=https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/tech/cockos-reaper-4-499926 |access-date=18 September 2024}} 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.{{cite web |title=Review: Reaper 5, The DAW With Big Features & A Small Price Tag |url=https://ask.audio/articles/review-reaper-5-the-daw-with-big-features-a-small-price-tag |access-date=18 September 2024}}

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.{{cite web |title=Reaper 6 Is Here And The Unbeatable $60 DAW Gets Better & Better |date=7 December 2019 |url=https://synthanatomy.com/2019/12/reaper-6-is-here-and-the-unbeatable-60-daw-gets-better-better.html |access-date=18 September 2024}}

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.{{cite web |title=Cockos Reaper Review |date=29 February 2024 |url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/cockos-reaper |access-date=18 September 2024}}

REAPER is proprietary software with several perpetual licensing options that include next major version update rights.{{cite web |title=REAPER {{!}} Purchase |url=https://www.reaper.fm/purchase.php |access-date=18 September 2024}}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reaper.fm/sdk/reascript/reascript.php|title=REAPER {{!}} ReaScript|website=reaper.fm|access-date=2017-01-29}}

ReaPack offers a comprehensive solution for managing and installing extensions sourced from a variety of repositories.{{Cite web|url=https://reapack.com/|title=ReaPack: Package manager for REAPER|website=reapack.com|language=en|access-date=2024-09-19}}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sws-extension.org/|title=SWS / S&M Extension|website=www.sws-extension.org|language=en|access-date=2017-01-29}}

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.{{cite web |title=Classical Editing Tools for REAPER |url=https://chmaha.github.io/ReaClassical/ |website=chmaha.github.io |access-date=16 December 2022}}

Additionally, REAPER supports multiple languages, with downloadable language packs available. Both users and developers can create their own language packs for REAPER.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reaper.fm/langpack/|title=REAPER {{!}} Language Packs|website=www.reaper.fm|access-date=2017-01-29}}

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".{{Cite web|url=https://www.reaper.fm/reaplugs/|title=REAPER {{!}} ReaPlugs|website=www.reaper.fm|access-date=2017-01-31}}

Also included are hundreds of JSFX plug-ins{{Cite web|url=https://www.reaper.fm/about.php|title=REAPER {{!}} About|website=www.reaper.fm|access-date=2017-07-24}} ranging from standard effects to specific applications for MIDI and audio. JSFX scripts are editable text files,{{Cite web |title=REAPER {{!}} JSFX Programming |url=https://www.reaper.fm/sdk/js/js.php |access-date=2017-07-24 |website=reaper.fm}} 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 the instruments ReaSynth, ReaSynDr & ReaSamplomatic 5000. ReaSynth is a basic synth with wave shape, ADSR Envelope & Portamento. ReaSynDr has 4 drum samples, a kick, snare, blip & tick. ReaSamplomatic 5000 is a sampler.

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,{{cite web|title=REAPER {{!}} About|url=https://www.reaper.fm/about.php#technical|website=www.reaper.fm|access-date=2022-11-29}} 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. As of version 5.97, REAPER supports ARA 2 plugins.{{Cite web|url=https://rekkerd.org/streamlined-workflow-melodyne-and-reaper-now-communicate-via-ara-2/|title=Streamlined workflow: Melodyne and Reaper now communicate via ARA 2|date=2019-02-22|website=Rekkerd|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-22}}

REAPER allows video, audio, MIDI and still images to be freely combined on any track. REAPER offers the ability to cut and trim video files and edit or replace their audio, and render out to various video formats. 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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.extremraym.com/en/reaper-5-review/#Video_Editing|title=REAPER 5: An Exhaustive Review|date=2015-11-04|newspaper=ExtremRaym|access-date=2017-02-06|language=en-US}}

REAPER has built-in support for:

• BCF2000 – Behringer's motorized faders control surface, USB/MIDI{{cite web|url=http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/BCF2000.aspx|title=Behringer - BCF2000|publisher=Behringer.com|access-date=12 August 2015}}
• TranzPort – Frontier Design Group's wireless transport control{{cite web|url=http://www.frontierdesign.com/Products/TranzPort|title=Frontier Design Group|publisher=Frontierdesign.com|access-date=7 November 2014}}
• AlphaTrack – Frontier Design Group's AlphaTrack control surface{{cite web|url=http://www.frontierdesign.com/Products/AlphaTrack|title=Frontier Design Group|publisher=Frontierdesign.com|access-date=7 November 2014}}
• FaderPort – Presonus' FaderPort control surface{{cite web|url=http://www.presonus.com/products/FaderPort|title=PreSonus - FaderPort|publisher=Presonus.com|access-date=7 November 2014}}
• Baby HUI – Mackie's Baby HUI control surface{{cite web|url=http://www.mackie.com/products/babyhui/|title=Mackie - Baby HUI|publisher=Mackie.com|access-date=7 November 2014|archive-date=7 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107145707/http://www.mackie.com/products/babyhui/|url-status=dead}}
• MCU – Mackie's "Mackie Control Universal" control surface{{cite web|url=http://www.mackie.com/products/mcupro/index.html|title=Mackie - Mackie Control Universal Pro|author=Marketing Dept|publisher=Mackie.com|access-date=7 November 2014|archive-date=7 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107121502/http://www.mackie.com/products/mcupro/index.html|url-status=dead}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfaEBtzoatE|title=More New Features in REAPER v5.50 - new web remote layout, Spectral Hold, using Automation Items|author=The Reaper Blog|website=YouTube |date=18 September 2017 |access-date=18 September 2024}} REAPER also supports the Open Sound Control (OSC) standard.{{cite web|url=https://www.reaper.fm/sdk/osc/osc.php|title=OSC|author=Cockos Inc.|access-date=18 September 2024}}

• First public release – December 23, 2005{{cite web|url=https://www.reaper.fm/download-old.php?ver=0x&skip=100|title=REAPER {{!}} Old Versions|publisher=Reaper.fm|access-date=7 November 2014}} as freeware{{cite web|url=http://www.reaper.fm/ |title=REAPER : Latest news |access-date=7 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615113931/http://www.reaper.fm/ |archive-date=June 15, 2006 }}
• 1.0 – August 23, 2006{{cite web|url=https://www.reaper.fm/download-old.php?ver=1x&skip=100|title=REAPER {{!}} Old Versions|publisher=Reaper.fm|access-date=7 November 2014}} as shareware
• 2.0 – October 10, 2007
• 2.43 – July 30, 2008: Beta Mac OS X and Windows x64 support{{Cite web|url=https://www.reaper.fm/download-old.php?ver=2x|title=REAPER {{!}} Old Versions|website=www.reaper.fm}}
• 2.56 – March 2, 2009: Finalized Mac OS X and Windows x64 ports
• 3.0 – May 22, 2009
• 4.0 – August 3, 2011
• Work on Linux support began{{Cite web|url=https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=83324|title=Linux port of reaper/swell - Cockos Incorporated Forums|website=forum.cockos.com}}
• 5.0 – August 12, 2015
• Beta-quality Linux support
• Support for VST3 plugins
• 5.20 – May 17, 2016: MIDI notation editor
• 5.93 – July 17, 2018: First public Linux builds released{{cite web |title=REAPER {{!}} Old Versions |url=https://www.reaper.fm/download-old.php?ver=5x |website=www.reaper.fm}}
• 6.0 – December 3, 2019
• 6.71 – November 28, 2022: Support for CLAP plugins
• 7.0 – October 16, 2023

REAPER has been praised for its affordable price tiers, features, versatility and flexibility.{{Cite web|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/cockos-reaper-daw|title=Cockos Reaper DAW|website=www.soundonsound.com|language=en|access-date=2024-09-27}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.kvraudio.com/product/reaper-by-cockos/reviews|title=REAPER by Cockos - Reviews|website=www.kvraudio.com|language=en|access-date=2024-09-27}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/cockos-reaper|title=Cockos Reaper Review|website=www.pcmag.com|date=29 February 2024 |language=en|access-date=2024-09-27}}

{{Portal|Music|Record production}}

• Comparison of digital audio editors
• List of digital audio workstation software
• List of music software
• Cockos

{{Reflist|2}}

• [http://www.reaper.fm/ REAPER home page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615113931/http://www.reaper.fm/ |date=2006-06-15 }}
• [http://www.reaper.es/ REAPER en español] (unofficial website, tutorials & tips)

{{Audio editors}}

{{Digital audio workstations}}

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