Stereo backing tracks

[2toneblew]

Hi, completely new to Reaper and loving it. I’m wondering if imported stereo backing tracks stay stereo in the final mix, the mixer only shows a single volume control , which has me guessing.

[jrk]

Yes they do. There's a pretty good user guide which you might want to have a look at.

[2toneblew]

Thanks, I’ve spent quite a bit of time watching the videos and going thru the 400 pages of user guide, but hadn’t found that info yet.

[ErBird]

Indeed. All tracks, including the master, have an even number of channels (2 unless you set it higher). The volume fader controls the left and right channels equally.

[jrk]

Originally Posted by 2toneblew

Thanks, I’ve spent quite a bit of time watching the videos and going thru the 400 pages of user guide, but hadn’t found that info yet.

Reaper tracks can be pretty much anything, mono, stereo, multi-channel. If you have multichannel metering on (default, I think) you should see two bar meters in the mixer (and the TCP) for a stereo item. Also, of course, you can hear that an item is stereo.

If you have a stereo item that you DON'T want to be stereo, there are options to downmix to mono.

[ivansc]

It`s a stereo volume control (fader) if your track is stereo. You can control the relative loudness of left vs right with reaper`s pan control on the stereo track you are using. Easy Peasy.

P.S. welcome to Reaper & the forums! Glad you already found all those videos and the excellent User guide.

[2toneblew]

I really appreciate the help, thanks for your responses. It’s nice to get pointed in the right direction and back to making music.