Why I choose Reaper for film sound editing / audio post production.

I've started a page about why I choose Reaper for film sound editing / audio post production.

It also has some short video tips for creating custom workflows suited to film sound editing instead of music production.

More video tips for audio post production will be posted whenever I get the chance.

vordio.net/reaper/

Enjoy,

John

1- Does it import FCPXML?
2- Does it work with Native Instruments Kontakt and Komplete Kontrol?

Those two are must haves for me, as I rely on them daily.

BenB wrote: 1- Does it import FCPXML?
2- Does it work with Native Instruments Kontakt and Komplete Kontrol?

Those two are must haves for me, as I rely on them daily.

1. Vordio is a tool that converts FCPXML into a Reaper projects. It can also reconform the Reaper project to a later FCPXML edit if need be. So no need for picture lock. Vision and sound editors can work in parallel. It even colour codes all the changes to make them easy to see.

vordio.net/reconform/

2. I am pretty certain there are people using NI stuff in Reaper. Will check the reaper forums to see if anyone has had any issues.

you may find this interesting about the flexibility of Reaper vs other DAWs. Also why I use it. Can script it & change pretty much everything.

"I kissed Pro Tools goodbye after 16 years of intensive use for my everyday work. Now 85% of Ubisoft Toronto Audio Team uses REAPER."

reaperblog.net/2015/02/reaper-in-shangri...oices-for-far-cry-4/

Had a look at the reaper forums..

NI Kontact - Yes people seem to have it working.

Kontact Kontrol "two features that are missing are Track Selection and Automatic Track Focus. These are the only missing features, everything else seems to work like a charm."

Not there for me, personally, yet.

BenB wrote: Not there for me, personally, yet.

Not there? You must read 418 page manuals really fast. Have you really looked in much depth?

Also my main focus is for dialogue/sound editors and people who need to create/script custom post workflows and need reconform (which then uses the real advantages of Reaper - script-ability), not so much composers who fit a more standard usage pattern.

By the way.. Premiere support in Vordio is coming soon. Then after that Media Composer. So all the main video editing programs will be covered.

Hi John,
I recently needed to buy/upgrade my DAW. Had been a Ableton Live(full version) user for over a decade. Got really tired of always having to pay every year for upgrades and Ableton went from a good deal to an overly priced DAW. In the meantime Logic Pro went from overly priced to reasonable. Still like the GUI for Live.
In evaluating DAWs I downloaded the free REAPER trial (60 days but in reality you can extend this) and tried it out. Really like the ability to try a program out prior to purchase. REAPER is very reasonable at $60.00 and free upgrades for one whole version.
REAPER is a very powerful program. It can do pretty much anything you need and then some. Good active community out there as well. Your Vordio program seems to add the FCPX video component. Didn't actually try it but I would have if I stayed with REAPER.
What I do not like about REAPER is the GUI. IMHO Cockos really needs to do a complete revamp of the interface. I found it difficult to even figure out where everything is. Seems menu items just put wherever anyone wanted. Learning curve pretty steep. I'm sure, eventually, I would have learned the ins and outs.
Ultimately, I bought LogicProX. Apple really should allow for free trials. I had to make a decision based on just reading about it and web videos. I don't regret it. Having used GarageBand gives you a feel for the interface. GB is to LPX like iMovie is to FCPX. As a DAW, GB/iMovie really lacks the power and features I need. While I am still learning LPX, I could use it from day one. Not true for me with REAPER. Live lite which I have from buying a new Focusrite interface, also lacks the features I need. Not willing to keep spending $$ for the full version any more.
Good Luck with your program. Interesting to see you extending to other NLE programs.
Hope this helps, Greg

VidGreg wrote: What I do not like about REAPER is the GUI. IMHO Cockos really needs to do a complete revamp of the interface. I found it difficult to even figure out where everything is. Seems menu items just put wherever anyone wanted. Learning curve pretty steep. I'm sure, eventually, I would have learned the ins and outs.

You can use other skins you don't like UI. I don't use the default. Also worth mapping keys.

Did you watch the tutorial videos? I put them on that page because many people try it but don't realise there are hundreds of unmapped functions. Map them and you never need to touch a menu again. My attitude is if I need to use a menu, I am not using it right.

You need to configure Reaper to work the way you want. The defaults mappings are really only suitable for band recording, not film sound editing.

John,
Yes I did try some other skins/themes but then you run into the problem when trying to learn the program from vids that your version does not match the tutorial. I never found one I liked all that much. For me, I need to know the base program enough to be able to modify it how I want.
REAPER is a very powerful program and things like skins, built-in programming, and many other features is a testament to the work that has gone into it. All of this makes for a steep learning curve. I think the GUI is very important in helping to learn and use a program. For me, REAPER GUI doesn't cut it. YMMV. For those willing to stick with it and learn the program, then REAPER could be a great program. It simply took me way too long to learn and way too long to be able to record/mix how I wanted.
I do recommend anyone interested to download the trial and test it out. Just costs some hdd space. I like that! I really wanted to like REAPER, we just didn't fit.

From the looks of what you are doing with Vordio, this is a great addition.

Best, Greg

I tried Reaper some time ago, and tried it again recently, I have tried it for some time now. Personal taste, it is bulky to me, not nearly as smooth as LPX. There's some LPX stuff I can't do without. If all I did was voice overs (which I do a lot of, and all inside of FCPX), and mix one or two music tracks with a couple of sound effects, Reaper would be nice. But I do some pretty heavy music production, and some specialized sound designing, and LPX fits my needs better. Reaper is nice, and should be considered by anyone shopping for a DAW or looking to get in to audio recording/mixing/mastering. But look at all the options out there, too. There is no one tool to fit everyone's needs.

When I need features that are in other DAWs such a bundled effects and synths etc I just rewire them together. I also use Digital Performer and hook it up when I want some of it's effects. Logic has some awesome synths and effects too.

When it comes to workflow though, I can't script and alter the other DAWs workflows, which I why there was no real choice of DAWs with Vordio. It had to be Reaper as I need to be able to directly alter things in the DAW project. I originally intended to support a few DAWs but found they are so inflexible it didn't make sense.

I really wish more DAWs had open formats and were more customisable. I did work out a really wonky way of supporting Logic but it was so horrible as a workflow that I didn't bother.

Like what specifically?

For those interested in Reaper based workflows using Vordio, I have just added support for Premiere, Lightworks & Final Cut 7. Media Composer will be next.

This update also has a new enhancement to the reconform workflow.

vordio.net/vordio-4-2-release/

Thanks,
John