Question about managing a project from start to finish.

[gm22]

I am starting to get the hang of a fraction of reaper's capabilities, and I'm thinking about how to approach tracking and mixing with an eye to what happens when it comes time to master. Now I'm sure there's more efficient ways to approach a project than I have conceived, but at this stage I need to keep things simple. Here is my presumed approach.

1. Track instruments to a midi drum track.
2. Copy sections of the track that I will be using and move them to the right where I can work on them.
3. Duplicate those sections that will need to be duplicated, and construct the song.
4. Automate any parts needing automation.

Now assuming I've done 1 through 4, my project will have a complete song to the right, and a bunch of parts that I've borrowed from to the left, close to the starting point. these would be parts I won't be using, but still might like to keep just in case. Does this seem like a feasible way to approach song construction in a project? When it comes time to move the song elsewhere for mastering, will I be able to select it where exists, that being say five minutes to the right, or do I have to have the song start all the way to the left?

[foxAsteria]

Regions will help you with that and you can target them when you render as well. But personally, I wouldn't bother with part 2. I would just create regions where the parts I want to work on are.

You can move regions around and duplicate them as your arrangement progresses. You can also double click them to set the loop and/or time selection. Very convenient.

When working this way, I will sometimes end up with parts that don't work, but I don't want to lose completely, so I'll put them off to the right (if not a completely new project). If you put the iffy stuff on the left, actions to go to project start are not as useful.

Also take a look at the Project Bay. You'll find you can retain recorded media even if you remove it from the arrangement.

[gm22]

Thanks for the reply. Your third paragraph has me rethinking my approach. I will have to study up on how to use the project bay. I just learned about regions yesterday. I had been splitting sections, but it seems regions are the way to go. I am now thinking one could (and should perhaps) keep original raw tracks in tact.

[barrymk]

Originally Posted by gm22

I am now thinking one could (and should perhaps) keep original raw tracks in tact.

If I read you correctly. Don't forget Reaper is non destructive. Plus if you set to save every few minutes in preferences (a lifesaver) you can always go back and find earlier versions of your tracks. (Open up .rpp.bak backup tracks in a new tab.)

[gm22]

Hmmm... Interesting. I will try a test project and delete some parts, close the project and then try to recover the deleted parts. One problem though, where do I find the command rpp.bak.? I just tried searching the pdf manual but nothing came up.

[barrymk]

Keep your project open. Go to File "New project Tab" Select the new tab and go to File "Open project". It should point you at the project you are working on. Bottom right drop down select "Reaper Backup project files". You should have a list of each backup created every few minutes. Select one and open it up. If the track you want is there you can copy and paste back to your project on the first tab. I should have said in Reaper Preferences under Project when you select the backup save frequency check the "save to Time samped file in Project Directory.

[gm22]

Found it. Thanks.

[barrymk]

De Nada

[bolgwrad]

The 'Save as new version' command is also useful for keeping two or (many)more copies of a project for tweaking.

[barrymk]

Indeed a good point. I rarely use it but that's because I forget it's there. The curse of incipient old age....