Digital audio production often demands expensive software with complex licensing structures. REAPER (Rapid Environment for Audio Production, Engineering, and Recording) changes that paradigm by offering a complete, full-featured digital audio workstation (DAW) in a remarkably efficient package. This application provides a comprehensive toolset for multitrack audio and MIDI recording, editing, processing, mixing, and mastering on a variety of platforms.
Despite its compact size and low-latency performance, the software supports a vast range of hardware and digital formats, including VST, VST3, AU, and CLAP plugins. You can evaluate REAPER in full for 60 days without any registration or artificial limitations, allowing users to fully test its capabilities before purchasing an affordably priced, DRM-free license.
In This Post
Reaper Getting Started
Customizing Mouse Modifier Contexts
- Navigate to Options > Preferences.
- In the left pane, select Editing Behavior > Mouse Modifiers.
- Choose a context from the dropdown (e.g., Arrange View or MIDI Editor).
- Double-click an action (e.g., Right Drag) to assign a new custom action or script to that specific mouse/modifier combination.
Why: This deep-level customization allows power users to completely redefine the DAW’s editing behavior, creating unique, hyper-efficient workflows that are impossible in less flexible software.
Setting Take Channel Mode to Mono Downmix
- Right-click a media item on the track timeline.
- Hover over Item Settings in the context menu.
- Select Take Channel Mode > Mono Downmix.
Why: This is a critical step for sound designers and mixers who need to quickly convert a stereo file to a mono signal while ensuring proper phase and level management, preventing visual confusion from false stereo items.
Creating Custom Pop-Up Menus via the Action List
- Open the Action List (default shortcut: ?).
- Search for and select the actions you want to group.
- Click New Menu and assign a name.
- Drag the selected actions into the new menu structure.
- Assign a custom keyboard shortcut or mouse modifier to trigger the new pop-up menu instantly.
Why: By consolidating frequently used actions and custom scripts into a single, context-aware pop-up menu, users can bypass multiple menu layers, drastically accelerating their editing and mixing speed.
Download Reaper
Size – 15 MB
Windows
Download Reaper for Windows – x64
Download Reaper for Windows – x86
Mac
What’s New in This Version
- Action to add marker at current position now inserts at play position if playing back, even if the play position is offscreen.
- Added actions to add marker at edit cursor, regardless of whether the project is playing back.
- Improved display stability when moving media items or razor edits across tracks with different numbers of lanes.
- Fixed a potential crash when decreasing parameter count in the Generic FX UI.
For complete changelog, visit the official release notes.
Technical Specifications
| Software Name | REAPER |
|---|---|
| Version | 7.60 |
| License | Trial/Paid |
| File Size | 15MB (Windows x64) |
| OS Support | Windows XP to 11; macOS 10.5 to 15; Linux (Intel and ARM) |
| Language | English (Multi-language via community packs) |
| Developer | Cockos Incorporated |
| Homepage | https://www.reaper.fm |
| Changelogurl | https://www.reaper.fm/download.php |
| Last Updated | January 2026 |
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely small installer size and efficient, low-latency performance. | Steep learning curve for new users due to high customizability and non-traditional workflow. |
| Highly flexible audio and MIDI routing with multichannel support up to 128 channels. | Stock user interface can appear dated or complex without community themes. |
| Supports all major plugin formats: VST, VST3, AU, LV2, CLAP, DX, and JS. | |
| Affordable, DRM-free license after a fully functional 60-day evaluation period. | |
| Portable installation option allows running the DAW directly from a USB drive. |
Key Features
- Track Lanes and Swipe Comping: Utilize Track Lanes to manage multiple takes, layer sounds, or assemble alternate track versions within a single track. This new system supports Swipe Comping, enabling users to select the best segments from various takes to create a perfect composite with customizable crossfades.
- Flexible Routing and Multichannel Support: The software features powerful audio and MIDI routing capabilities, supporting up to 128 channels per track. This allows for complex signal flow and mixing, accommodating advanced surround sound and immersive audio projects.
- FX Containers and Parallel Processing: Build, store, and recall self-contained FX Containers that include complex routing and configurable parameter mapping. This feature allows for easy parallel routing of multiple plug-ins, significantly enhancing sound design flexibility.
- Razor Edits: Perform surgical editing operations on media and automation envelopes using Razor Edits. This tool allows users to cut, split, move, copy, or stretch specific sections of audio and automation simultaneously across multiple tracks.
- Extensive Plugin and Format Compatibility: REAPER acts as a compatible host for thousands of third-party effects and virtual instruments. It natively supports VST, VST3, AU, CLAP, LV2, DX, and JS plug-in formats across all supported operating systems.
Reaper Video
FAQ
What is the license model for REAPER?
REAPER offers a fully functional 60-day evaluation period with no restrictions or watermarks. After the trial, a discounted license for personal use is $60, and a commercial license is $225.
Does REAPER support VST plugins?
Yes, REAPER supports a vast range of third-party plug-in effects and virtual instruments, including VST, VST3, AU, LV2, CLAP, DX, and JS formats.
Can I run REAPER from a USB drive?
Yes. The software is designed to be portable and can be installed and run directly from a USB key or other removable media, which is ideal for working across multiple studio setups.
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