Recording Audio and MIDI

3 Recording Audio and MIDI

This chapter will take you thru everything you need to know to get started with recording in REAPER. At the
end of the chapter, you will find a helpful checklist.

3.1 Creating a New Project

To create a new project file, you can either use the File, New Project command, or press Ctrl N.
The Project page within the Options, Preferences dialog box can be used to determine how REAPER
behaves each time you create a new project:

Amongst the most useful options on this screen are the following:
 Use project file as a template. This enables you to use an existing project file as a template for new
projects. All tracks, HX, tracks, buses, routing etc. will be copied into the new file from the template file.
 Prompt to save on new project. If you enable this option, you will be prompted to save your new
projects immediately they are created.
 Open properties on new project. If this option is selected, the Project Options dialog box will
automatically be displayed every time you create a new project. This can help ensure that you select the
correct recording format and other settings that you require.
 Automatically create a backup each time your file is saved and overwritten. This helps protect
you against accidental loss of work.
 Whether to create and save multiple project versions. This feature is explained in Chapter 12.
 Automatically save to a timestamped file at intervals you specify. This can help to protect you
from the consequences of an unforeseen circumstance such as a power outage or a computer crash. You
can save these files to the project directory and/or an additional directory. You can also specify the
frequency (in minutes) of automatic saving, and whether to apply this when not recording, when
stopped, or at any time.

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3.2 Setting Media Project Options

After creating a project file, you can
display the Project Settings window –
Alt Enter – to ensure that you are using
your preferred Media Settings. In
particular, check your preferred audio
format. If you are not sure, for CD
quality select .WAV, with settings similar
to those shown here. If you wish later to
use some other format (such as .MP3)
you can render your files in that format.
The settings shown would be suitable
when the output is to be rendered to CD
audio. As a rule, 24 bit is preferred for
recording. If the recording is to be
finalised in DVD format rather than CD,
you should consider a sample rate of
48000 instead of 44100. This is specified
on the main Project Settings page.
Some people prefer 88200 for CD and
96000 for DVD. Be aware that increasing
sample rate also increases media item
file size and slows down processing.
Other formats.
If you prefer, you can record using any of a
number of available compressed formats,
including MP3, OGG and WavPack.
Choosing any of these will present you with
further options appropriate to that format.
For example, if you choose MP3 you will
need also to specify your required bitrate.
There is also a drop down list where you
choose to write as cues to your recorded
media files markers and regions, either one of these, or none of these, or only markers/regions whose name
begins with #. See Chapter 9 for more about markers and regions.

3.3 Saving the Project File

After creating a file, use the File, Save Project command, or the keyboard shortcut Ctrl S, to save it. You will
need to specify a project file name. When saving a new file you are offered a number of options. You can
choose to Create
subdirectory for
project. If you also select
Copy all media into
project directory you
may also specify a format
for these items to be
converted.
If you select Move all media into project directory , then by default all media files used by the project will
be moved into the project subdirectory. Optionally you can ask to Copy rather than move source media if
not in old project media path. You would be likely to choose this, for example, if your project uses files
from a samples library, to ensure that the samples are not removed from the library.
You should also make sure that you get into the habit of frequently resaving your project after making changes.
The easiest way to do this is simply to press Ctrl S.

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