Instalación y tutorial básico de Reaper

How to set up your working environment with Reaper?

Exploring the world of audio for video games is an exciting journey. Today, let's learn how to set up your working environment using Reaper, a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) preferred by many triple A studios like Ubisoft. The reason? Its lightness, high optimization and adaptability make it ideal for the audio production pipeline for video games.

How to download and license Reaper?

Visiting the Reaper website(Reaper.fm) is the first step. Here you will find download options for Windows, Mac and Linux. In my experience, using Reaper on Windows has worked flawlessly. However, I have also tested it on Elementary, an Ubuntu-based distribution, and the results have been just as satisfactory.

As for licensing, Reaper offers two types of licenses:

• $60 license: For smaller projects and personal use.
• 250 license: Ideal for larger studios and ambitious projects.

A remarkable aspect of Reaper is its trust in the user. It offers a 60-day trial version, after which the functionalities remain intact, encouraging its purchase from a genuine intention to contribute to the project.

What resources does the Reaper community offer?

The Reaper community is a valuable source of information and support. From the user guide to resources created by other users, the platform is rich in content:

• User's Guide: perfect for getting started if you are new to using the software.
• Open source resources: Allow users to customize Reaper to their needs.
• Video tutorials section: Taught by Kevin Yoya, an excellent instructor.
• Community forum: A space to solve doubts and chat with other experienced users.

What is the importance of audio libraries?

Audio libraries are fundamental in the production of sound for video games. These sample collections, made in professional environments, include sounds that are sometimes difficult to capture personally. Timothy McQue, for example, has created bundles of sound libraries from multiple companies, totaling around fifty gigabytes of valuable content. Downloading can be a lengthy process, so it is advisable to use a download manager such as JDownloader and be patient during the process.

How to get familiar with the Reaper interface?

When you open Reaper, you will notice the intuitive layout of its main menus:

• File, Edit, View, Insert: They are within easy reach for easy navigation.
• Playback controls: They emulate the classic functions of any audio player, such as a Discman or Walkman.

Reaper's interface allows you to control essential aspects through a metronome or buttons to save projects and undo modifications. Knowing this structure well will allow you to edit efficiently.

How to use Media Explorer to manage files?

The Media Explorer is a crucial tool for managing files in Reaper. Due to the volume of files you manage, an index optimizes the search. To activate this functionality, go to the "View" menu and select "Media Explorer" or use Control + Alt + X.

Steps to create an index:

1. Create a new database: Select "Create new database" and name it, e.g. 'Platze Library'.
2. Add folders: Right click and select 'Add folder to database'. Locate your library folders to add them to the index.

This index allows you to search and play sounds efficiently. Once you have found the sound in Media Explorer, you can drag it to a track in Reaper to work in the production space.

Setting up your working environment is just the beginning. Explore Reaper's features, experiment with sounds, and continue to build your audio world. With each advancement, you get closer to mastering professional game audio production - keep learning and don't hesitate to explore new possibilities!