Here lies some very useful information pertaining to the smooth operations of grim Reaper.
0 . Definitions
.rpp
The project file. Behind the veil, a database that organizes information. Can be viewed with a text editor, you know things are getting serious then.
.rpp-bak
The project backup file. Automatically generated.
Media Item
An audio or video file
.wav
An audio file type ( high fidelity ).
A mono file is approx 8.6mB per minute
.mp3
A ‘lossy’ audio file type ( low fidelity ) . Often, a Proxy.
A mono file is approx approx 2.4mB per minute
Proxy
A temporary low fidelity file, intended to be replaced by it’s high fidelity .wav twin later.
Project Directory
A folder which should contain an .rpp, an .rpp-bak and ideally all the media items.
The project directory can be copied elsewhere, the project can load happily ever after. ( Principle 1 )
Timeline
Time domain of a reaper project, visible on the x axis. Closely associated , but not, the grid.
Can be altered to display in units of seconds, or measures / beats.
Fact – one beat at 60 bpm = 1 second.
This is a whole module unto itself…(coming…)
Sample Rate
Here’s an explainer. (pending )
TLDR :
Our sample rate is 48000 samples per second, unless otherwise stated. ( Principle 2 )
Block Size
Number of times per second energy is stored and captured. Introduces [Latency]() into our monitoring path. While tracking, we set this as low as possible, monitoring reaper performance.
The ideal is to set and forget. The actual is that small adjustments can have profound differences.
Generally set to exponent 2 numbers. 16, 32, 64, 128,256,512,1024 …
Region
A defined selection in the timeline.
Marker
A defined moment in the timeline.
Transport
Accelerator and brakes. Play, stop, rewind etc.
Render
A processed audio or video file which is output from Reaper
Measure
Duration of time, equivalent to the time signature numerator and proportional to the denomintor.
eg
4/4 = 4 beats
5/8 = 5 half beats
Beat
Duration of time expresed in seconds as 60 / bpm
1. Principles
Principle 1
The project directory is organised such that it can be copied elsewhere and the project can load happily ever after.
Principle 2
Unless otherwise, the owner is assumed to be Akaname – ie collective ownership. Private ‘ownership’ of .rpps is both declared and ceded.
If I wish to work on a .rpp, I become the owner and that is made explicit to all members. When I am finished and all updates have been pushed to the collaborative directory ( currently google drive ), I cede ownership , which is also made explicit.
The principle behind this principle : we intentionally, collectively evolve projects transparently.
A positive consequence of this principle : we avoid unintentional bifurcations.
Principle 3
Our sample rate is 48000 samples per second, unless otherwise stated.
Our bit rate for recording is 32bit FP and for rendering is 24bit, unless otherwise stated.
Principle 4
Tracks are named before recording occurs. Track names do not include illegal characters or hyphens.
To the best of our ability, track names, and therefore media item names, follow this naming convention :
Instrument Iterator Performer Channel
eg
Guitar 1 MJF DI
Drums 1 Otis Snare Top
Principle 5
Wherever possible, I work towards a reality in which realtime playback is sonically identical on all machines.
This could require:
Rendering or freezing stems so they playback exactly as so
Using ‘open’ ( unlicensed ) processing, listed in our Dependencies.
2. Doorways I know and love.
Some places that are worth knowing about.
Preferences
[ command , ] ( this is a keyboard shortcut )
Under the hood settings which apply across all projects ( Globals )
Audio>Device
Accesible via Preference.
Critical settings that secure robust performance. Pertaining to ADDA ( the magical Analogue to Digital round trip that transforms what our hands do into what our ears hear by capturing and storing energy ) .
System latency is handled here – practically, delay time between what we do and what we hear.
Project Settings
[ option return ]
Under the hood again but only for this project.
Actions Filter
[ shift ? ]
Executory power vault of epic proportions. Things that can be done to stuff. eg ‘Save Project’, ‘Go to Start of Project’, ‘Show all Tracks’. Customisable…
Track Manager
[ command 8 ]
Interface for…you guessed it – managing tracks. Primarily, showing and hiding them.
3. Initiating Reaper
3.1 Preferences recommendations
( Global settings governing all projects )
Media Settings
Set all media offline when application is not active : Unticked
Audio > Buffering
Media Buffer Size : Set to lowest setting while maintaining performance. ( Reduces ‘Play’ latency )
MJF’s settings, Mac M1
Media Buffer Size : 600ms, prebuffer : 4%
Thread Priority: Set to Time Critical
Project>Backup
Preserve previously-saved version of project as < project >.rpp-bak : Ticked
Auto-save to timestamped file in project directory : Ticked
I then specify a custom directory path which stores all the .rpp-bak files
Auto-save interval : 2 minutes | when not recording |
Audio>Recording
Recorded Filenames:
$track-$year2$month$day_$hour$minuteAppearance>Zoom/Scroll/Offset
Horizontal Zoom Center : | Edit cursor or play cursor (default) |
3.2 Project Settings recommendations:
( Local settings governing the open projects )
Project Settings
Project Sample rate : Ticked. | 48000 |
Timebase for items/envelopes/markers : Beats ( postition, length, rate )
Timebase for tempo/time signature envelope: Beats
Media
Path to save media files ( ….. ) : Audio Files
Recording WAV bit depth 32bit FP
Format for Apply FX, Glue, Freeze etc : | Custom |
Custom settings :
MP3 ( encoder by LAME project )
CBR
Bitrate : 320 kbps
Project Settings > Advanced > Pan Mode
Stereo Balance / mono pan ( default )
3.3 Project Dependencies
Downloads so we remain in the flow.
Video
VLC Media Player
FX
Valhalla Supermassive :
https://valhalladsp.com/demos-downloads/
Drums
Sampler : Native Instruments Kontakt 7
Sample Pack : Kurt Ballou Drums
Templates
akaname-demo.rpp
- [ ] download link and instructions on what to do with this reaper template
Extensions :
SWS
- [ ] add link and installation instructions