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Reaper description
Reaper is a digital audio software for professionals and enthusiasts alike. It provides a comprehensive set of tools for recording, editing, mixing, and mastering audio. Reaper is known for its flexibility, extensive customization options, and compatibility with a wide range of hardware and plugins. It's a powerful tool for anyone working with audio, from musicians to podcasters to sound designers. Reaper offers a free trial and an affordable permanent license.
Who is Reaper best for
Reaper is a cost-effective and highly customizable digital audio workstation (DAW) loved for its flexibility and active community support. Users praise its lightweight design and extensive plugin compatibility. However, some find the interface initially challenging. It's ideal for independent musicians, podcasters, and sound designers seeking a powerful yet affordable DAW.
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Best for small businesses and individuals.
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Ideal for audio professionals and enthusiasts.
Reaper features
| Supported Reaper supports simultaneous recording on multiple audio tracks. |
| Supported Reaper allows splicing multiple audio tracks. |
| Supported Reaper supports audio track trimming via manual and automatic methods. |
| Supported Reaper supports MIDI recording. |
| Supported Reaper supports various audio plugins, including stock and third-party options. |
| Supported Reaper allows adjusting volume levels of audio tracks. |
| Supported Reaper allows zooming in and out on the timeline for precise editing. |
Reaper reviews
We've summarised 41 Reaper reviews (Reaper TrustPilot reviews and Reaper G2 reviews) and summarised the main points below.
- Highly customizable interface and workflow.
- Affordable price and flexible licensing options.
- Lightweight and efficient, uses minimal system resources.
- Active and helpful community forum.
- Extensive plugin support and compatibility.
- Difficult workflow and interface can be confusing for beginners.
- Lack of built-in virtual instruments and basic sampler.
- Limited audio editing capabilities, especially for tasks like chopping and exporting small audio segments.
- Some users find the routing audio between tracks complicated.
- Lack of direct support and occasional unresponsiveness from the developers.
Reaper pricing
The commentary is based on 7 reviews from Reaper G2 reviews.
Reaper is praised for its affordability, especially its unlimited free trial and discounted license options. Users highlight the low cost for a fully functional DAW, making it accessible for beginners and professionals alike. The commercial license is also considered a great value.
Users sentiment
See the Reaper pricing page.
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Reaper has a free trial.
Discounted License
Discounted license for individuals for personal use, individuals or businesses with yearly gross revenue under $20,000, and educational or non-profit organizations.
Commercial License
Commercial license for businesses.
Reaper alternatives
AudacityFree and open-source. Easier to learn for basic audio editing. Lacks advanced features and some find the interface outdated. Has a large online community.Read more
CubaseBetter fit for media and entertainment. Has built-in instruments. Is growing faster.Read more
Adobe AuditionBetter for enterprise companies and integrates with other Adobe products. More suitable for professionals in media, marketing, and software industries. Has more momentum.Read more
Adobe Premiere ProBetter for video editing and favored by larger businesses. More suitable for a broad range of industries including healthcare, finance, e-commerce, and marketing. Steeper learning curve for beginners.Read more
Mixbus32CMore focused on professional music production and mixing. Caters to medium businesses and large enterprises. A good Reaper alternative for Media & Entertainment.Read more
ToolbagBetter for 3D modeling, especially for video games and animation. Aimed at professionals, with a focus on realistic rendering.Read more
Reaper FAQ
What is Reaper and what does Reaper do?
Reaper is a flexible and affordable digital audio workstation (DAW) for recording, editing, mixing, and mastering audio. Its customizable interface and extensive plugin support cater to audio professionals and enthusiasts, from musicians and podcasters to sound designers. Though it has a steeper learning curve for beginners, its features and price make it a strong alternative to other DAWs.
How does Reaper integrate with other tools?
Reaper integrates with a wide range of plugins, both stock and third-party, expanding its functionality. It supports various hardware controllers and audio interfaces for flexible workflows. While it lacks direct integrations with other DAWs, it can import and export various audio formats for collaboration.
What the main competitors of Reaper?
Reaper alternatives include Audacity, Cubase, Adobe Audition, GarageBand, and Mixbus32C. These digital audio workstations offer similar recording, editing, and mixing capabilities, catering to various user needs and budgets. Some, like Audacity and GarageBand, are free or more budget-friendly options.
Is Reaper legit?
Reaper is safe and legitimate software. It's known for its affordable pricing, customizability, and active user community. However, some users find the interface and workflow challenging.
How much does Reaper cost?
Reaper's pricing is tiered: a $60 discounted license for personal use or qualifying organizations, and a $225 commercial license for businesses. Is Reaper worth the price? This digital audio workstation offers robust features and flexible licensing.
Is Reaper customer service good?
Reaper's customer service receives mixed reviews. While some users appreciate the helpful community forum and affordable pricing, others mention occasional unresponsiveness from developers and a lack of direct support. Despite this, users consistently praise the software's functionality and customizability.
Reviewed by
Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.
Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.