Welcome to Reaperworld. It’s an alternative universe, in which a “2.4.5” update is huge. Released yesterday, it’s a new build for what might best be described as an “indie” DAW from the original creator of Winamp.
Check out the full feature list, but here are some highlights:
- “Solo in front” for easier soloing
- Track folding for MIDI to hide unused / unnamed rows
- Multimedia keyboard support, so you can use those silly, useless buttons PCs have for something cool
- Mute fades, so you don’t get that annoying pop on muting
- A ridiculous number of MIDI workflow and technical improvements
What’s really nice is I get an overwhelming sense that they’re improving the kinds of arcane MIDI and plug-in details that users would want improved. You know, there are all sorts of little annoyances you find when working that developers probably don’t think of. Those kinds of VST and MIDI improvements might not make big headlines at NAMM or in magazine copy, but then, that’s why so many users pour over release notes — these are the things they actually encounter working.
If you’re interested in using Reaper, now is the perfect time to point out the work Peter Dines has started trying to optimally combine Reaper and Native Instruments’ Kore, with Kore providing various live performance, sound design, sound cataloging, and synth/effect features:
Kore Host How-Tos: Reaper, Affordable PC/Mac DAW [Kore@CDM minisite]
Mac Experience?
I haven’t really had a chance to try the Mac beta; anyone on Mac had testing experience?