| User review:
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A multi-track audio editor packing incredible number of features into a small download. Actively developed and supported on the official forum. The program is so intuitive, given an accumulated experience with other audio editors, that it doesn't need a help-file, which isn't provided, I imagine, because it would take too much effort to keep it current.
Nevertheless, nearly every option in the Preferences dialog is explained in a clear short sentence, which appears right on the program interface without opening resource intensive external programs, or requiring the user to skim through lengthy text. Functions in the dialog are also directly searchable, without needing to search the docs, and then following them to find the required button.
None of the above uses any bulky html/metro/net bloat. Where possible, the program makes use of Windows controls to draw the interface. The whole preferences dialog is very fast to scroll through. So the other comment about Win 3.11 isn't justified. Reaper did receive a major UI update of the skinnable parts once. But it is still possible to load the skin from verison 2 in the current v4 and continue using the familiar layout.
Reaper has codecs for practical, useful open file formats, there is a powerful batch converter (also with built-in help), which allows to use any installed DirectShow or VST (more reliable) effect. Reaper can load MIDI files, and unlike with sophisiticated editors, this process seems "lossless" (events aren't rearranged), and sometimes the reason why a file doesn't sound right can be found and manually corrected.
Later versions add video support through ffmpeg. But I've never found it to be precise or stable enough to be of any use for syncing. Reaper is not a sample-exact cut-and-paste editor; and doesn't replace Sound Forge for sound, nor Cakewalk Pro Audio for MIDI. It's a DAW works on a clip level. |
