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Old 03-04-2015, 10:37 AM   #1
16string
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Default Confused by „Track“ vs. „Item“

Hi there,

lots of newbies users of Reaper may be confused by both of the terms “track” and “item” resp.

I wonder if any visualization exist to support the understanding of the differences and typical applications (if any).

So far I found the use of either “Tracks” or “items” depends on questions such as personal workflow. And that “items” represent a mighty tool more that tracks?!
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Old 03-04-2015, 10:40 AM   #2
EricM
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It's simple:

Tracks are containers for Items.
Items are containers for media (audio, MIDI).

e
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Old 03-04-2015, 10:48 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EricM View Post
It's simple:

Tracks are containers for Items.
Items are containers for media (audio, MIDI).

e
Hi Eric

overwhelmed by your super fast answer - thanks a lot - I understand:

Recording a guitar say in Track 1, I record in Items in fact. That's true?
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Old 03-04-2015, 12:40 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 16string View Post
Recording a guitar say in Track 1, I record in Items in fact. That's true?
Yes, and no.

When you are recording a signal on a specific track,
you are basically telling reaper to:

1) record audio signal to disk (the only location where actual data is)
2) position the recorded data from current Edit Cursor position onward,
contained in a newly created 'item' which links to the file on disk.
3) route the audio from the new item through the FX and additional
routing on the track you have selected to record on.

It'a signal flow hierarchy, a structure which directs when and where
the signal goes to. Everything you do with the item (copy it, cut it,
delete it, stretch it,...) will NOT affect the original recording
stored on the disk. It will just change how it is played back. Items
are basically just links to original data with instruction set on
how it should be read.

Note: MIDI is a bit different, since it is stored within the project
file, not as a separate file like audio. But, as reaper is
quite flexible, that can be changed as well.


Quote:
Originally Posted by 16string View Post
overwhelmed by your super fast answer - thanks a lot
My pleasure

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Old 03-04-2015, 01:00 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 16string View Post
Hi Eric

overwhelmed by your super fast answer - thanks a lot - I understand:

Recording a guitar say in Track 1, I record in Items in fact. That's true?
Sorta.

There are lots of things that can go in a track. The most obvious is audio media, but you can stick MIDI in there, too, as well as automation stuff.

Tracks are like buckets in which you brew the stew of music. They aren't music themselves, but everything you need to make music goes in one.

And just out of curiosity, is "16String" best interpreted as "One six string" or "Sixteen strings" like a nyckelharpa?
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Old 03-04-2015, 05:12 PM   #6
trevlyns
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If a track is split for editing for example, the individual pieces are items.
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Old 03-05-2015, 12:33 AM   #7
JeffreyET
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Trevlin's example is where the distinction is most obvious: You can split up items, or move them around within a track, or from one track to another
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Old 03-05-2015, 12:44 AM   #8
16string
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jerome_oneil View Post
And just out of curiosity, is "16String" best interpreted as "One six string" or "Sixteen strings" like a nyckelharpa?
Well, constructing my user name I simply added all strings on my instruments: 5 for my 5-string bass (from the Saugerties ), additional 4 for my 2nd bass, 4 for an old banjo and 3 for a balalaika. It’s that easy 
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Old 03-05-2015, 12:54 AM   #9
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@ travlyns

Thanks for the picture!

Supporting my understanding of the matter it might be a good help to extend the section by the items below.
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