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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 450
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 450 |
Here's a recently released video from an experienced recording engineer and live performer, who also runs the URM Academy YouTube channel. He's used ProTools for many years, during which he completely dismissed Reaper. His explanation of his migration to Reaper is well worth the 14 minute watch. It even has me thinking about "do I really need to spend 150 € per year on Studio Pro (One) and another 150 € per year on Bitwig?". I bought a v6-v7 Reaper license for $60 in December of 2019, and Reaper's still got some v7 legs (v7.61 the last time I checked).
Last edited by TheMaartian; Yesterday at 06:17 AM.
ThinkPad i9 32GB RAM 7TB SSD; Win11 Pro; RME Fireface UCX II; BiaB 2026 Ultra
Bitwig Studio 6; Studio Pro 8; Melodyne Studio 5; Tonalic Studio 1; Acoustica Premium 7
Gig Performer 5; NI S61 MK3; Focal Shape 65; Beyerdynamic DT 880 & 770
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Very interesting.
Thanx for sharing.
I haven't lost all of my marbles but there is a small hole in the bag someplace!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,810
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Amen! I started out with ProTools back in the mid 90's. But after a few years, PT left me when they became equipment specific. At that time I found Reaper and have never looked back. I actually try not to advocate for Reaper here in this forum. I don't want to be one of those guys who just hypes a specific DAW and tell everyone how great their DAW is. So I don't want to be the one to tell you that Reap is the greatest, but, Reap is the greatest. 
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 977
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 977 |
I started learning how to use a DAW more intently about 5 years ago and have moved between Cakewalk by Bandlab - Cakewalk Sonar - Reaper. I recently ditched Cakewalk because all their previous core plugins disappeared - it might be an issue at my end, but I am highly suspicious that I am being moved from their free tier into a subscription. Being a retiree, I am on a tight budget, so these were a good fit. As I’ve gone in deeper, I am finding Reaper has a lot of standard plugins that I don’t need to buy elsewhere - not sure if they’re top shelf quality but they do the job for me … - ReaTune - I use for manual pitch correction - don’t have to pay for Melodyne
- JS De-esser- just yesterday, I needed to de-ess for the first time, and Reaper has it!
- LUFS - Reaper’s render feature has click and LUFS monitoring built in, so when I have my first draft mix done, I do a dry/trial render to see where everything is.
- Stretch markers - for alignment of vocal and guitar phrasing
As I learn or become aware of new techniques or issues to address, I am finding Reaper usually has something on hand. Andrew
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Just me, but our forum host makes a DAW, so it seems a little awkward promoting another vendor's DAW here.
FWIW, understood everything the influencer is saying but don't find his case for Reaper compelling in the least. Just not what I need.
Carry on.
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Oct 2008
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I started learning how to use a DAW more intently about 5 years ago and have moved between Cakewalk by Bandlab - Cakewalk Sonar - Reaper. I recently ditched Cakewalk because all their previous core plugins disappeared - it might be an issue at my end, but I am highly suspicious that I am being moved from their free tier into a subscription. Being a retiree, I am on a tight budget, so these were a good fit. As I’ve gone in deeper, I am finding Reaper has a lot of standard plugins that I don’t need to buy elsewhere - not sure if they’re top shelf quality but they do the job for me … Andrew, I don't know if you've discovered Kenny Gioia yet or not. He has an amazing understanding of Reaper and a tonne of videos that explains his understanding. I use Reaper and find it excellent to work with. https://www.youtube.com/@REAPERMania/featured--Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,880
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,880 |
Just me, but our forum host makes a DAW, so it seems a little awkward promoting another vendor's DAW here. I have tried the DAW you are referring to and I would argue that the forum host does NOT in fact have a DAW! Or, at least not one that could ever compete in the DAW industry!
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Just me, but our forum host makes a DAW, so it seems a little awkward promoting another vendor's DAW here. I have tried the DAW you are referring to and I would argue that the forum host does NOT in fact have a DAW! Or, at least not one that could ever compete in the DAW industry! Maybe. Lots of RealBand fans on this forum, just like Reaper fans. They're both devoted and passionate, aren't they? I used Reaper exclusively for about a week. Totally get the bells, whistles and "culture of customization" the influencer referenced. But Reaper is not much of a DAW for MY simple purposes either...
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,358
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Posts: 24,358 |
When listening to a song one can not tell if the song was recorded in a DAW or not. Every DAW has its pluses and minuses. So saying one DAW is better than another is just personal taste.
As far as posting information about DAWs on this site I think it is a good thing. For those whom want BiaB to become a full fledged DAW they can see what's out there. For PGM it might give them ideas to add to their products.
YMMV
I haven't lost all of my marbles but there is a small hole in the bag someplace!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,488
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Posts: 22,488 |
Just me, but our forum host makes a DAW, so it seems a little awkward promoting another vendor's DAW here. I have tried the DAW you are referring to and I would argue that the forum host does NOT in fact have a DAW! Or, at least not one that could ever compete in the DAW industry! Maybe. Lots of RealBand fans on this forum, just like Reaper fans. They're both devoted and passionate, aren't they? I used Reaper exclusively for about a week. Totally get the bells, whistles and "culture of customization" the influencer referenced. But Reaper is not much of a DAW for MY simple purposes either... Dang right. I'm old enough and been into computer music stuff since it pretty much started. I had cakewalk and what was it, Dr T I think, back when floppies were the common way to get data/applications.. I discovered PowerTracks early on (ver 3 maybe) and it brought me in to the fold. If you can't make a decent sounding song In PT/RB, the bells and whistles might as well be ornamental. They are basic serviceable DAWs and both do things no other software can natively with the generate options. Sure, I have used Reaper, actually have a license, but the end result can be indistinguishable between DAW A & B. One may be more fun for you, another for Joe over there by the coffee (he's making me nervous) but they both work.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jun 2012
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,880 |
Just me, but our forum host makes a DAW, so it seems a little awkward promoting another vendor's DAW here. I have tried the DAW you are referring to and I would argue that the forum host does NOT in fact have a DAW! Or, at least not one that could ever compete in the DAW industry! Maybe. Lots of RealBand fans on this forum It is a free included tool when you buy BIAB; they don't even try to sell it stand-alone, and for good reason! You'd be hard pressed to find many (any?) Realband users outside of the PGM universe! Why is that? How come Reaper fans or Ableton Live fans or BandLab fans or FL Studio fans or Reason fans or Logic Pro fans or Pro Tools fans aren't giving up their DAWs and flocking to Realband? I've tried it several times and concluded it is not even in the same class as the DAWs on the market.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Posts: 3,438
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Mario, great point about the role of personal taste. Different strokes for different folks. We have a User Showcase poster who produces some GREAT stuff with...Audacity. Blows my mind.
Our hosts are permissive in their forum content. I like this about them. I like to think it's one of the many enviable Canadian attributes we enjoy here. I could be wrong about that. I'm often wrong. I could be wrong here.
I did some work with a forum member who is a pro, and only records with RealBand. That blew my mind, too. He gets AMAZING results. I like to think that's more him than the DAW. And this might be right. But the point is, RealBand can produce pro results. Or at least I think so.
Since PGMusic basically gives away RealBand with every purchase of BiaB, I see the logic in informing users of better alternatives. I do.
Still think it's...awkward.
I'm weird though. And obviously I have WAY too much free time on my hands.
Ha!
Last edited by DC Ron; Yesterday at 04:36 PM.
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,488
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,488 |
Just me, but our forum host makes a DAW, so it seems a little awkward promoting another vendor's DAW here. I have tried the DAW you are referring to and I would argue that the forum host does NOT in fact have a DAW! Or, at least not one that could ever compete in the DAW industry! Maybe. Lots of RealBand fans on this forum It is a free included tool when you buy BIAB; they don't even try to sell it stand-alone, and for good reason! You'd be hard pressed to find many (any?) Realband users outside of the PGM universe! Why is that? How come Reaper fans or Ableton Live fans or BandLab fans or FL Studio fans or Reason fans or Logic Pro fans or Pro Tools fans aren't giving up their DAWs and flocking to Realband? I've tried it several times and concluded it is not even in the same class as the DAWs on the market. That was one of the biggest loads of Gibberish I have seen here. They sell Powertracks separate. Realband is a merger of BiaB and Powertracks. Why aren't Reaper fans flocking to Pro Tools? Or FL Studio fans flocking to Reaper? straw man much?
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,596
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daw vs daw...its like pc vs mac lol.
you can do great songs in any daw app these days imho.
I'm a Reaper user and also real band user and a band In A Box user.
I've used all three music apps on lots of songs.
Each has pluses and minuses.
Let me say real band does things that no other app I've seen does.
I use the strengths of each of the three apps.
I wonder how much the real band manual has been read by people who knock real band.... have they also gone through the extensive tips in real band ?
Yes real band has some quirks but if you're really willing to get stuck in it has some great unique features.
Om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 1 hour ago.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
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