Reaper Tutorial for Beginners | FREE COURSE

Reaper is one of the most powerful, flexible, and customizable audio applications available. You can use Reaper for music creation and production, podcasts, voice-over, sound design, audiobooks, live performance, mixing for video, mastering, and much more. In this course, you will learn the basics of Reaper with Dave Bode. ► Download unlimited photos, fonts, and templates with Envato Elements: elements.envato.com/?XRAYqWFeYR0&.com&
Download the course source files: s3.amazonaws.com/cms-assets.tutsplus.com/uploads/users/16/youtube_courses/36/resources/Reaper_for_Beginners_Assets.zip
0:00 1.1 Reaper Tutorial for Beginners
3:33 2.1 Install and Set Up Reaper for the First Time
14:21 2.2 Tour of the Reaper Workspace
30:06 2.3 Tracks in Reaper
44:52 2.4 Tempo, Grid, and Snap Settings
58:38 2.5 Recording Live Audio
1:19:44 2.6 Recording MIDI and Virtual Instruments
1:28:43 2.7 Editing MIDI
1:42:27 2.8 Editing Audio
2:01:53 2.9 Editing With Stretching
2:16:02 3.1 Using Effects in Reaper
2:30:00 3.2 Routing in Reaper
2:39:34 3.3 Automation and Envelopes
2:53:49 3.4 Folders and Groups
3:03:03 3.5 Markers and Regions
3:10:09 3.6 Actions and Customizations
3:20:21 3.7 Rendering
3:32:37 4.1 Conclusion & Plugin Recommendations
Useful Links:
• Reaper: reaper.fm/download.php
• Mr. Tramp 2 - Free Electric Piano VST for Mac and PC www.producersbuzz.com/downloads/download-free-vst-plugins/mr-tramp-2-free-piano-vst-plugin-by-steinberg
• Valhalla Super Massive - Free reverb/delay! Sounds incredible! valhalladsp.com/shop/reverb/valhalla-supermassive
• TAL-Reverb-4 - Free high-quality plate reverb with a vintage 80's charactertal-software.com/products/tal-reverb-4
• Fircomp - Free compressor! Ultra clean peak compressor/limiter with punchy attack, musical release, and optional lookahead smoothing! jonvaudio.com/fircomp
• TDR Nova - Free parallel, dynamic EQ. www.tokyodawn.net/tdr-nova
• LABS by Spitfire Audio - Free software instruments, made by musicians, for musicians labs.spitfireaudio.com
• Komplete Start - Free curated selection of studio-quality instruments, effects, utilities, loops, and samples! www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/bundles/komplete-start
• Orchestral Tools Sine Factory - Great sounds, totally free. www.orchestraltools.com/sinefactory
• Komplete Standard - Premium library with outstanding instruments. www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/bundles/komplete-14-standard
► Read more on Envato Tuts+: music.tutsplus.com/reaper-for-beginners--ytc-36c
►Interested in audio editing? Watch kzbin.info/www/bejne/en-lioZqhpWDaMk
►Make sure to watch kzbin.info/www/bejne/r163pmRqm6xneZo for some great tips on editing podcasts!
Read free photography and video tutorials on Envato Tuts+: photography.tutsplus.com/tutorials?XRAYqWFeYR0&.com&
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[@envatotuts]

f you want to learn more about audio editing, check out Reaper Tutorial | Sound Design for Beginners kzbin.info/www/bejne/en-lioZqhpWDaMk and also make sure to watch Reaper Tutorial | How to Edit a Podcast for some great tips on editing podcasts! kzbin.info/www/bejne/r163pmRqm6xneZo

[@marcterencemckenna]

This 51 year old musician is able to follow your tutorial without being overwhelmed. Thank you this is a BIG help

[@johnnybigpotato2404]

I feel ya bro. I'm older, starting to learn everything from scratch on Linux with Reaper and some hillbilly computer and audio components. Good times. :)

[@krokodilpil8335]

These coders really spent a lot of time on this platform. The detail of the interface is outstanding.

[@canuckproducer8446]

This isn't just good for newbies... It's a great refresher course for us guys that have been using for over a decade. Makes you appreciate the app you've been using all along and remind you of why you've switched!

[@meherab.hassan]

why switched?

[@diiegopc]

Interesting default shortcuts: ctrl + shift + left/right: Move play cursor to next or previous grid division ?: Show Actions list

[@teashea1]

I have been using Reaper for over 12 years. This is a nice course to pick up some ideas. The production values are very good and the organization is efficient and well done. Good job.

[@MaximusWhyman]

One of the best tutorials on Reaper. Thx.

[@envatotuts]

Wow, thanks!

[@TSGuitarz]

I record guitar songs and covers at home, and this is the most complete and helpful tutorial I found on youtube. Fantastic content. Thanks for you for sharing this knowledge!

[@elemchukwudi4323]

I'm not interested in learning, Reaper now, i just want to tell you that your videos are the best i have watched (Premiere Pro, After Effects) Your detailing is first-rate.

[@envatotuts]

Glad you like them!

[@barrystevens3550]

I trained editors for years on Avid, your approach is one of the best I have seen. Good content and pacing. , up to 1.19 so far . . .

[@sohee7597]

Thank you for this tutorial and for addressing the dangers of feedback loop on your hearing. The delicacy of one's hearing and how to prevent damaging it is something that should be taught more.

[@envatotuts]

Hi! Thank you for your thoughtful comment! It's essential to prioritize our hearing health, especially in audio work. Glad you found the tutorial helpful! Cheers!

[@Alex-wt4cw]

Compliments for the quality of this tutorials, as a pro recording engineer/musician working on Digital Performer on film and advertising, I am trying to make Reaper my choice for personal composing. This invaluable and vastly informative work Dave Bode has put up here making it available to the community for free is really commended. Thank you sir.

[@WmartinMo]

You are gifted and are trying to do the best job. This is not a beginning video. Way to much information to apprehend and then comprehend. Great job. I am struggling to get the first view steps under my belt. It could be old age. Still trying.

[@envatotuts]

Hi! We're glad you're finding value in the tutorial. We understand it can feel like a lot at once, especially at the beginning. Take it step by step, and feel free to revisit sections as needed. You’ve got this! Cheers!

[@mattstalker4084]

This is so helpful. You helped me so much today to transcribe a part that was too fast by introducing me to the playback rate adjustment keeping pitch the same 😅. Amazing resource for free. Thank you so much.

[@PurveyorofChronicles]

My friend who runs a recording studio and music school advised me to look at Reaper; now I can fully appreciate this system.

[@envatotuts]

😉💚

[@dagmar.kustka]

This is by far the best video for beginners. I downloaded Reaper two days ago and I already feel like I use it since forever. There is literally everything. Excelent work! Thank you very much indeed.

[@store-i4p]

thanks so much for the invaluable information. I'm rewatching this again and again for many times.

[@Bijo506]

You are really a good tutor Sir!!. Slowly learning by following the steps and doing the same on the Reaper. I am a working professional.. so now I am getting only max 15 to 25 min / day.. But repeating the same until I understand the things clearly. With a lots of respect and love. This is Bijo from India.

[@quasipseudo1]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! Good grief, I feel like I need to send some $$$$ for the value! You've saved me countless headaches

[@albertolamandini]

This video is why the internet and youtube is great, thank you so much for all of these free information. I've been using reaper for 2 years and already knew much of the most basic stuff but only after this course i finally feel like i know how to use it

[@envatotuts]

Glad it was helpful!

[@_Sinhalord]

Can't Believe I've got an in depth tutorial without paying a cent to anyone... Thanks a lot Envato Tuts+ If ur reading This... Can u make a In depth Tutorial of Cubase 12 please?

[@HEYMISSX]

Really appreciate that you create this course and share it for free!! I tried to learn how to use it myself, using the official manual and asking someone who is a sound engineer, for many months. Nothing really helped until I saw this video. Thanks a lot!!!

[@ArnoBlume1234]

Nice Tut thx! only stuff i was miss was the freezing stuff, means a way to freeze a track. even good idea if there use a lot fx.

[@Mopantsu]

Great tutorial I can come back to as I progress. Very well laid out and super simple to follow! One lesson I would have added would be the routing of external MIDI instruments and how to control them. Other than that I give this a 10/10

[@PsyCoCinematics]

Mighty informative vid thar, Mr. Bode! Thank-ya for the insight and guidance!

[@kgsaran1970]

Best Comprehensive tutorial. Thank You. So long I was using FL Studio but for recording and editing Reaper looks to be the best software available.

[@mycharvel]

Man, you make 500 pages Reaper tutorial seems so simple and easy to learn. I've been using Reaper 12 years ago, just scratch the surface made some songs and never touch it again. Now, I have more spare time, open the DAW again, your tutorial gave me more knowledge than before. Thank you so much.

[@emiliof2356]

Gonna be honest I barely know anything about making music but it's good to try and understand this about like 20 minutes per day. Maybe I'll actually get good at using it who knows! I just ended lesson 2.3 with some quite good knowledge of the program. I'll keep you updated if I make this work or not👍 I'm also mostly watching this to cut off playing too much videogames and doing something more interesting but it's paying off and kind of fun actually 😅

[@deaddiamond3698]

Thanks a lot! I just started using Reaper to learn sound design and this video is super helpful and useful as I've been stuck and lost within the soft. You made my life and learning much, much easier! Appreciate the work

[@envatotuts]

You're very welcome!

[@DryleechMusic]

I'm Learning so much from this Video. I will definitely be watching it a few times to hone my skills in Reaper.

[@troygreenhaw6916]

Dude thank you so much. I’m just getting started and have all these DAWS that don’t make any sense or just get you lost after starting them. I already have reaper but didn’t know it could do all this.

[@eflows]

This is very clear and helpful. Also well-recorded and easy to listen to. Thank you.

[@MikeOShay]

I've never used a DAW any more complex than Audacity and I've been wanting to upgrade. I'm only half an hour into this so far, but it's already helped soften the learning curve pretty significantly!

[@envatotuts]

Hi! We’re glad to hear the tutorial is helping with the transition! It’s great that you’re taking the step to upgrade-keep it up! 🙌🎉 Cheers!

[@darrenmetal3338]

thnx a lot Sir. Now this is the definition of a tutorial. I'm an avid FL studio user but I want to try something else. Many told me you should try Reaper so I thought why not. I'm now even more stoked to try it out

[@Jworldky]

I tried out Reaper 9 years ago for a short while but decided to go back to the DAW that I was most familiar with. Reaper was very similar to the other DAW I used for year years so the learning curve was minimal what little time I spent using Reaper. After many years of usage from my previous DAW and Developer (20 years) proud to announce I will be switching to REAPER full time and look forward to learning all it has to offer. Probably should have switched 9 years ago. After many year of making music, this new challenge has renewed my passion for music, can't wait to convert many songs from my previous Daw into Reaper...

[@soumojitsarkar]

Sir, with your support it working now. Request you to share some videos on how to create beats on reaper with stock and other plugin VSTs. Also, its quite advance for people like me who has zero knowledge on any DAW. Hence, if you patiently creates a tutorial for just us, it would highly beneficial. Like, from scratch, 1. What are things firstly required to operate the DAW. 2. What are plugins and VSTs and how to operate it in DAW 3. How to create, modify and sync any beat track with audio file/song/any instrumental track etc. Thank you Sir once again for your support.

[@1viewwonder303]

Fantastic Tutorial! Thanks for taking the time to speak clear and slow, yet efficient. Bravo sir!

[@LeeNash-k6o]

Hi - just wanted to say that this is the most helpful KZbin tutorial on any subject that I've ever found - exactly what I needed at this point! I'd just discovered Reaper and found that (unlike Pro-Tools) I could actually do something useful with it even without any instructions so I dispensed with the evaluation period and paid up front. But to really get started, I needed something very different from the Reaper user manual. Your lessons were as good as it gets and better than I'd expected to find. Thank you.

[@kwazimajozi-kfrica9178]

Loving the short course already.

[@aldeveron9498]

Absolutely excellent tutorial - THANK YOU! It's just what I needed, having decided to switch to Reaper, from Tracktion Waveform.

[@lucienrobidoux3692]

Can't thank you enough for this extremely useful video. I can only appreciate how much time you put into this.

[@sovietmilk]

Thank you, I'm sure this guide will come in handy many times in the future.

[@accuratetvnews368]

This was what I was looking for

[@izaguirre5059]

This is amazing, thank you for sharing your knowledge 🙏

[@SallyPorter-z9i]

Here for VO… Thanks for this video.

[@joeraio1942]

What a great tutorial! thank you for putting this together!

[@scdaymon931]

This is just amazing!!! Very professional and useful. Thank you so much for this course, and thank you so much, kind Sir, for making it free. 🤘

[@orreobb]

I'm pretty sure I've seen you on a different channel from a long time ago, glad to see you're still doing good work!

[@kyboat]

transitioning from Garageband to Reaper. Thanks for the informative tutorial!

[@joeking5211]

Hi a new user. a day or so in to Reaper. Great vid, most grateful. But getting a very bad feel for the nightmare of the interface. Just one example. Create a track, fine, right click it, now we have 28, yep 28 menu options, and not one that imports a file into the track. Drag and drop no use to me with the full screen open. I am just speechless, have I missed something so basic here, why oh why is Reaper so revered, I can't seem to get off the start line. Many thks to you guys that try and sort out what seems like a myriad of similar issues with Reaper from my so far very very short time looking on YT. Kind Rgds and many thks for a very well done vid sir. EDIT: 6 days in and I have stuck with it. Just to say this vid is really not a gold standard, but a triple platinum. I don't think I have ever sat through a 3hr 37min YT vid before, but I have done with your vid. Absolutely Superb. My initial comment was as you can imagine perhaps quite normal for a 6 day old user where your eyes are naturally on just about everything to be able to get a 'Hello World' example just to get you going, but now with the extra time and a 'few sleep on' it nights I can see the immense power of Reaper. But it has been down to your vid and a select few other renowned Reaper YT instructors that have made me see the light and feel sure I will sticking with it, but clearly will NEVER master it completely, and I doubt that many others will due to the sheer power and flexibility of it. So Thks again, and Kind Rgds.

[@stergioskyanidis9424]

Awesome tutorial! Thank you Dave!

[@envatotuts]

Glad you liked it!

[@sl4081]

Here for VO🤚🏼… Thanks for this video.

[@envatotuts]

Thank you too!

[@KROWNCHAKRATV]

Best reaper tutorial I have come across packed with gems I never knew..thank you

[@davelanciani-dimaensionx]

I've been using Reaper since 2009, but I always like to see if someone has any tricks that I don't know about!

[@bannchakraborty]

Man your voice sounds so much like John Mayer and this tutorial is so so helpful! Thank you!

[@FabrizioPan]

Great Work man!! Thnx for your work!

[@alexandertye3244]

2:47:31 I reached here and OMG I can now make the sound come out from the left ear into the right ear with reverb on. Hehehehe. This effects was like magic to me. I'm happy that I can do it now. Thank you very much.

[@seanmonahan]

Thank you so much for this video. This has been helpful beyond belief!

[@envatotuts]

You're so welcome!

[@JorgeHernanArcilaA]

Great video.

[@envatotuts]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@nagarajv6892]

Very well-made lesson. Thank You, Very Much.

[@LINKERS_SOUND_TRACK_LST]

BROTHER.... HATTS OFF TO YOU AND YOUR WORK... I mean have watched this of your video for the 1st time and honestly,, i am a fan of your work.. the way you have described every detail of the software,, obviously ,you cant cover every single option but whatever u have covered and the way u speak and describe everything detail.. is worth commendable.. HEARTYL THANX TO YOU FOR YOUR BRILLIANT WORK BROTHER.. THANK U SOOO VERY MUCH... JUST A REQUEST I WANNA MAKE., There is a software called SMAART... Why dont u make a tutorial video on that too?? There are videos for this software but nothing is worth to watch.. Your way to demostrate and describe every detail is AWSOME... PLEASE CONSIDER MY REQUEST TOO. WILL BE WAITING FOR YOUR TUTORIAL ON " SMAART ". ❤❤

[@alekseyturchanov5012]

Thank tou for this course. Its great!

[@ScalerWave]

Nice work, very well done

[@chrismcgourty1756]

Thanks a ton for this, really amazing work and video.

[@envatotuts]

Hi! Thanks for checking out the video! We're really glad you enjoyed it! Cheers!

[@gumboh]

soon as dave hit the "BUT, not with this course" i knew i was in good hands

[@DaveBode]

Hahaha

[@santana2420]

Excellent video. I wonder if you consider an intermediate/advanced Reaper tutorial. Congrats

[@Belial1968]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! It helps me big time :D this is gold!

[@itstime6122]

I see you recommend WASAPI if I don't have any external audio systems, but I noticed that WASAPI is for Windows Vista, 7,8 and 10. I use Windows 11 so I'm wondering if I should still pick the same option

[@VũĐạt-m7b]

the most I love Reaper is structure of easy to understand all the value of mixxing mastered in one screen. You can also see the peak mastered (not accurate number but still also good ). For arranger, midi control most important and reaper so easy to adjust, zoom in zoom out stuff by mouse I use to use the cubase but for begginner It's hard to remember all stuff also Fl studio, mostly I cant see any things peak like reaper must export to see in another plugin like EXPOSE, also FL studio need adjust the pedals when start with

[@DenisMorissetteJFK]

The best Reaper tutorial! I'm very easy to confuse, but I understand everything you explain.

[@dfgvjnkjdsnbkjsbdvjkhdsb]

great video, man! can u help with how to make all tabs "file, edit, view..." and reaper plugins in dark mode?

[@diiegopc]

I already use reaper but reviewing the basics is always helpful

[@tonystevenson26]

How did you learn it ? Some things are fairly easy but much I don't still don't grock...

[@bilhawks6956]

Thanks to your efforts

[@envatotuts]

It's my pleasure

[@b00i00d]

Thank you so much for this course!

[@Lenny4400]

Good 😊 information! One question.... how to record streaming audio on Reaper 😮?

[@toymangamer121]

Great tutorial 👍

[@carlocitos]

Really apreciate your tutorial! Thanks 😊

[@Scrottobaggns]

Amazing video. Thank you for the time you put into this. Quick question. I have a track that is an mp3 loop, when i play, it comes through my headphones. My second track is from a piano roll, for some reason I can't get sound on the piano roll. Whether I'm playing the piano roll directly or whether I add the notes, and play the track. I can see the L/R bars on the monitor moving, so Reaper seems to think there is sound happening. I listen to Reaper through headphones connected to an PreSonus AudioBox connected to the PC. I only got about 2.5 hours into the video, so wasn't sure if you touched on this. Thanks again.

[@rofilmmedia1]

extremely helpful. Thank you for that!

[@GrattKobe]

This helps me a lot as a Linux user, thank you.

[@krokodilpil8335]

Really good tutorial.

[@Taxiboy-dz7ce]

Pretty Good Lessons about REAPER

[@braunhausmedia]

Not "one of." It is "the" most powerful, flexible, and customizable audio application available. Thank you for correcting yourself later in the video. ;)

[@Omonek]

no, it's just free. that's you hype that so much

[@Neeko_Lionheart]

@@Omonekokay bro, lol.

[@Downstream33]

You are so appreciated! thank you for this video!

[@tunesmithlab8277]

Just shifted to Reaper and find this very helpful...thank you!

[@envatotuts]

Glad it helped!

[@guitarscoffee17]

I've just started using Reaper, but I'm getting a 3 second delay between me hitting the guitar strings & my amp acknowledging it.. which is really frustrating, so hopefully I'll learn something from watching this 👍

[@satychary]

Thank you, super-cool tutorial for a super-cool DAW :)

[@MiracleKnightStudios]

This might be a dumb question, but I have zero experience with any kind of DAW. Do you have to have an electric keyboard or some kind of input device or are there options to digitally record instruments?

[@TyutoryalCapCut]

Very nice tutorial ❤

[@cicimeltemmt1975]

Hello thanks a lot for the video! May I please ask how can I change the resolution from 1/100 to 1/960? Thanks in advance! ☺️

[@martinleduc3210]

Thanks! Is this Reaper 6 or Reaper 7?

[@USNVA-yn6cp]

Reaper is like a giant lego set, they give you all the building blocks to make it anyway you want! nobody else does this

[@deedubman3775]

I don't know if it will help anyone else but I was also having trouble with the dragging and dropping of files unto the arrangement area. I corrected it by following the folder structure in the beginning of the video. After I extracted and saved the .wav files into the "Reaper Media" folder, I was able to drag and drop like normal I'm using Reaper 7.06 on a Windows 11 machine

[@mitchwoodbine]

This was insanely helpful 🙏

[@envatotuts]

Glad it was helpful!

[@georgebrown1807]

I tried that "gradually transition to next tempo" marker with the four pre-recorded samples you used, but it always maintained a constant tempo of whatever was in the second marker. Does that feature only work for MIDI tracks or something? If so, why?

[@mikitelezar2706]

Great video,but how you made a stereo drum track???

[@codymullins9387]

incredible video thank you so much.

[@envatotuts]

You're very welcome!

[@DextersLab93]

Hey so I'm following this tutorial, but for some reason, at 19:16, when you snap the guitar to 5.1 in order to match the bass, it causes it to be misaligned for me. For some strange reason, my bass track doesn't end right at 5.1, it ends at 6.1. Its as if the entire track is stretched out somewhat, but even after deleting all tracks, reimporting the files, they're still like that. They also don't end exactly at 6.1, but continue a few milliseconds past it, maybe to 6.11 or 6.12. Do you have any idea what's going on here? I could just turn snapping off and manually align them but I'm confused why my demo files are different?

[@hiphoprajeshlifeksr220]

❤❤❤❤❤Thank you so much sir very very useful ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@rakeshr1932]

A computer is necessary for using the reaper app?