Reaper (32-bit) for Windows

User Reviews

• Excellent !

  9fox9July 30, 2012

  Pros

  These other positive reviews here really sum up the qualities of Reaper. I've made it my #1 DAW.

  Cons

  None I'm aware of, though I have limited experience w/ other DAW's.

  Summary

  <br /><br /><span class='notifyMsg'> Updated </span>on Jul 30, 2012<p/>What just happened to those other reviews ???

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• Great For Beginners and Pros

  formula9March 12, 2012

  Pros

  This program is the best program I have come across, all-around a very good program. I started using reaper 5 years ago. The download size is extremely small and they constantly release updates, usually every week. You can actually use the full program for free, forever, that's how loyal they are to their users. I do however, recommend buying the program if you like it to support a good company and product.

  Cons

  I feel like I should have something to write here, but I just can't really think of anything. To be honest the only thing I can find is that sometimes when I render a track, it will not show a live feed of the output range. This doesn't effect the actual rendering process though, just an inconvenience, which is most likely my fault for not updating in awhile.

  Summary

  This is the program I learned to use, the only one I have used in 5years for more than a week. I've tried others and none compare to the simplicity that reaper offers, along with the rest of the goodies. If you haven't found your "go to" program yet, I would 110% recommend giving reaper a try.

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• You don't get what you pay for. Reaper gives you more.

  oscarivera9February 25, 2011

  Pros

  It is very simple to use, yet complete. It does just about everything that others do. Compatible with just about any other hardware or software, unlike Pro Tools. It takes up little space on your hard drive, only 23MB. Best of all is its low price.

  Cons

  Because of its small size (23MB), it only works while you're online. If you're offline, you've got nothing. It also lacks a few things, but gives you links to get these "add-ons" for free, like an mp3 encoder for example which you get through LAME.

  Summary

  Once I discovered Reaper, I instantly knew I no longer needed to look for any other DAW. I am a professional musician but when it comes to recording I am basically an amateur. However, I have lots of experience being recorded by others which makes me somewhat of an authority in giving a good honest review. Just about everything that other recording engineers have used when I have been recorded, or when I was in the recording studio while a recording was taking place, I know for a fact that Reaper can do. All of the things that I've learned from others I can now do in my own home studio with ease thanks to Reaper. Best of all is that I didn't even pay a tenth of the money to get it. While it can be somewhat of a hassle having to get some features not included in the software through an outside source (recommended by Reaper, and FREE), the good thing is that having gone through the download process once for each feature, from that moment on it is integrated into the program, thus eventually you have a powerhouse of a digital audio workstation for less than a fraction of the cost. If you have experience with other recording software, then switching over to Reaper should be no problem at all. Like I stated earlier, the only problem is that due to its small size, Reaper will not function if you are offline. However, in today's world are we ever really offline at all? Bottom line is this, get it and try it so you can decide for yourself. It's free to try and there are no features missing from it during the free trial period. If you are like me, you will end up paying the less than $50 that you need to obtain the license.

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• Limited use free trial fails to justify high cost.

  AmethystDiggersSeptember 20, 2010

  Pros

  Has potential in final build as freeware only.

  Cons

  Cannot compete with FREE synthesizer, other freeware.

  Summary

  Too stingy, with performance castrated in free trial. OVERPRICED toy software should be donated free to schools as write-off. Try again.

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• SMall download size, but mighty DAW

  qwertyplayerJuly 12, 2010

  Pros

  Cockos Reaper is THE only DAW program you need to easiliy create your own musical compositions. With it's easy to use interface (after a little practice), this program easily rivals the likes of Reaon, logic and Ableton Live and is technically free.

  Cons

  Unless you buy a license, you will keep getting a nag screen asking you to do so that you can click off after 5 seconds. Not buying a License, however, does not leave any functions unavailable. otherwise, nothing.

  Summary

  now in its third version, Cockos Reaper 3 is the ulimate digital audio workstation (DAW) that doesn't cost an arm or a leg to own. initially, you have a thrity day evaluation period, after which you are required to buy a license. However, throughout and after this evaluation period, all functions remain available, making Reaper 3 technically free. Reaper 3 has all the functions you would expect from a DAW program, as well as its own list of VST plugins for instruments or efects, Reaper 3 allows you to dock windows for MIDI editing, sample browsing and track lanes etc at the bottom of the screen using a tabbing system, rather than leaving you cluttered with open windows, which does lead to needing more than one monitor (in some cases up to three) to maintain a constant work flow. This docking feature lets you work quickly and fluidly, without getting lost and frustrated searching for the window you need. The download file for Reaper 3 is small as well at less than 5mb for the whole package. This gets you up and running in just a few minutes from activating the download to running the program. While there is still room in your list of prefered programs for certain tasks (I prefer to use Reason 4 for creating drum loops for example), Reaper 3 is one product that deserves to be the number one DAW, as its growing user base and community clearly suggests.

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• Absurd Bargain... $60 for a full featured DAW.

  DigitalMan88October 6, 2009

  Pros

  A stable DAW with highly competitive features for $60. VST, JS, DX, and Rewire support. Unlimited tracks, excellent included plugins. Compatible just about every piece of hardware. Quick load times, efficient CPU &#38; RAM usage. The #1 DAW.

  Cons

  None whatsoever.

  Summary

  Unless you derive pleasure from spending money unnecessarily, use RTAS (ProTools) plugins, or don't have the bandwidth for a 4MB download, there is no conceivable reason not to use REAPER instead of another DAW.

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• A quality audio editor

  vanderlooApril 19, 2009

  Pros

  User-friendly, smart layout and design, useful functions and none too heavy on the cpu.

  Cons

  Perhaps a more visual approach to effects might be better?

  Summary

  Reaper is a brilliant alternative to audio editors and mastering software like Steinberg's WaveLab. It looks really professional and has the sort of design taht doesn't leave you wondering what this and that button or function does. You can simply import a file and get straight to work on it, editing and improving the sound using the massive range of effects tools (you can also import VST and other effects you may have). The project files are saved alongside the audio so as not to destructively edit the file. Finished work can be exported in a variety of formats. The price tag of $225 looks pretty steep, but I suppose a lot of work goes into good software and not everything can be a freebie.

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• The best of the best, including expensive audio/midi editors!

  June 15, 2008

  Pros

  Right now, this blows away every other PC/Windows based audio and midi DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)program out there. No time limit or functionality limits on demo -- Just a nagscreen. 64-bit audio engine, VST and DXi hosting, unlimited tracks. An absolutely professional DAW. Better than popular DAW programs that cost hundreds of dollars. <p> <p>Audio quality is stellar. Constant updates and bugfixes, often daily. Installer application file is less than 4MB! Installs flawlessly and fast. <p> <p>I've been using commercial audio and MIDI apps for ten years. I'm a pro musician and engineer. I've been working with MIDI since Roland brought it to market in the 80's. Reaper is the best I've seen! I've stopped using and buying other DAW apps and switched to Reaper.

  Cons

  MIDI editing isn't as powerful or flexible as SONAR, but it's still quite useable. Destructive normalization requires too many steps. Can be difficult to fully learn due to its many options, power, and flexibility. No notation features or video import.

  Summary

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