Render is Blank Regardless of Mp3, Wav, Bitrate, Etc

build · 12-10-2010, 09:23 AM

Hi,

I've been using Reaper with few problems since it was first out. For some reason now when I render a project it comes out blank. It has never down this before and I don't know why it is now.

Nothing about my system has changed. Everything records and plays back normally in Reaper. I play other songs in iTunes and others players. My Reaper just renders blank files all of a sudden, even though the file size is normal. I just rendered one to mp3 and the file size was 4.56mb and iTunes went through the process of playing a 3:01 minute song, just blank audio.

I've tried changing the sample rate, bitrate, resample mode, nothing helps.

I've searched this forum but have found no ideas. Please help! Thanks!

bigwoody · 12-10-2010, 09:34 AM

A couple of things to check first. Do you by chance have a time line selection at the end (or a silent part) of your song and then have the 'render time selection' radio button selected in the render dialog.
Are you sure that you don't have a track solo'ed (maybe an empty track).
Another possibility is a demo version of a 3rd party vst that is limited in some way (none of the Reaper plug-ins do this).
After these it is most likely some kind of routing issue where we will need more info.

build · 12-10-2010, 10:04 AM

It's set for "render entire project". There are no solo'ed or empty tracks. There's no demo VSTs, and all are the same ones I've been using.

It does seem like a routing issue, but I've tried everything I know. I can share more info if you'll tell me where to look for it. Thanks!

bigwoody · 12-10-2010, 10:14 AM

It is very strange that it is a normal file size, so I have to assume that the audio is there. Lets try a different approach. Bring the rendered file back into reaper. If it appears normally and plays okay then we have a file type/bit rate issue vs a truly blank file.

build · 12-10-2010, 12:12 PM

I rendered to 128 and have a file that's 2.82mb. I brought it back into Reaper and have two dead flat lines, no audio at all. When it renders, both lines are flat in the small visual screen.

Sheppola · 12-10-2010, 12:55 PM

Have you checked
File/Render and that the Render Master Mix box is ticked?

dub3000 · 12-10-2010, 01:06 PM

You've probably routed something directly to hardware outputs and not the master bus. The only stuff that gets rendered is what hits the master. Anything weird in your routing?

build · 12-10-2010, 01:09 PM

Yep, the render master mix box is clicked.

There's nothing weird in the routing that I can tell, same as I was using before. I've tried recording many new things, all record perfectly, etc, but none render.

bigwoody · 12-10-2010, 02:08 PM

Any chance you accidentally hit mute on the master? I assume that you can the playback just fine before you render, right? Man, I am stumped.

build · 12-10-2010, 03:48 PM

It plays back fine, just nothing in the render. I've never had a problem with Reaper before and this one has me.

dub3000 · 12-10-2010, 04:08 PM

Does the problem go away if you global-disable all fx in the project?

Also maybe consider posting your project file here in case you have something weird in there.

build · 12-10-2010, 04:33 PM

I disabled all effects and no change. Reinstall Reaper?

dub3000 · 12-10-2010, 05:27 PM

It really sounds like a routing issue to me. Does it work properly with a fresh new project with a single wave file in it?

build · 12-10-2010, 07:45 PM

I also think it must be a routing issue. It worked fine a week ago and I don't know of anything I've changed. I just opened a new project, recorded a single track with no effects, and got the same blank rendering.

dub3000 · 12-10-2010, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by build

I also think it must be a routing issue. It worked fine a week ago and I don't know of anything I've changed. I just opened a new project, recorded a single track with no effects, and got the same blank rendering.

that doesn't sound like a routing issue to me.

i'm out of ideas, would suggest resetting your reaper configuration back to factory defaults. something very weird there.

build · 12-10-2010, 09:11 PM

Hey dub3000,

That did it. I restored back to factory default and started over. Everything works as it should now. Guess it was just some weird glitch somewhere. Good job! Thanks for all the suggestions. All good info from everyone.