how to insert silence?

[user7776543]

I'm trying to increase the empty space between two points of an audio file, and while I have successfully split the file and increased the distance between the points, I'm left with a gap in the file, which isn't actually part of the wav file now.

How can I make that gap between the (now two) files become a period of silence, that is actually part of the wavfile?

I remember back in the old days, other editors had an "insert silence" command (Audacity still has it, I think). Does Reaper have any such function, and what is its command, if so?

Thanks.

[gofer]

To be correct, what you have now are not two files, but two containers (Reaper calls them "item") referring to different areas of the same source file which sits unaltered on your HD.

You now want to select both items and choose "Glue selected items". That command will write a new file including the silent part. Your original file will still be left unchanged. I think it's impossible with Reaper to destructively change an audiofile.

[user7776543]

Oh, I can "glue items" even if the sit apart from one another? That seems counter-intuitive, since in RL things must be adjacent to each other in order to be glued!

I was using Glue for other purposes, though. That makes me feel better that I won't have to struggle with understanding and applying new action, just a new way to use a familiar one.

There just are too many alien ways to accomplish things in reaper. I must say, the learning curve is HUGE.

Is there any possibility of having some kind of AI "assistant" installed in the future? (I can't believe I just said that, but I meant it!)

You know, the kind that will pop up and say, "Are you trying to do X", after the sixth time you have clicked, seemingly at random and in vain, to accomplish some inane task you simply cannot fathom how to execute, and accomplished absolutely nothing in the process!

[d.bop]

Haha I doubt there will be a MS Bob type of assistant, but you can always download the official manual (which is AMAZING) found on the front page of reaper.fm. (you can also order a hardcopy ;) )

[hardplay]

I'm trying to increase the empty space between two points of an audio file.

How can I make that gap between the (now two) files become a period of silence, that is actually part of the wavfile?

other editors had an "insert silence" command Does Reaper have any such function, and what is its command, if so?



Is there a way to insert space,like the good and old "insert silence" command? To be honest i've been trying to do it but i'm going nuts !!

[bigwoody]

Are you trying to insert silence on an individual track, or for the whole song? For an individual track, split the item an move it. If you don't want to move the later part of the item, split it on both sides and either remove the section or drag the volume handle to zero. Or just split the item and then drag one end to the right (effectively cutting out the section you want silenced. For a whole song, drag a selection in the timeline right click (the timeline) and choose insert empty space in selection.

[hardplay]

http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?p=509799#post509799

[Sound asleep]

Oh, I can "glue items" even if the sit apart from one another? That seems counter-intuitive, since in RL things must be adjacent to each other in order to be glued!

I was using Glue for other purposes, though. That makes me feel better that I won't have to struggle with understanding and applying new action, just a new way to use a familiar one.

There just are too many alien ways to accomplish things in reaper. I must say, the learning curve is HUGE.

Is there any possibility of having some kind of AI "assistant" installed in the future? (I can't believe I just said that, but I meant it!)

You know, the kind that will pop up and say, "Are you trying to do X", after the sixth time you have clicked, seemingly at random and in vain, to accomplish some inane task you simply cannot fathom how to execute, and accomplished absolutely nothing in the process!

you could say it's counter intuitive, but it's just you're used to something else. this would mean that being intuitive would mean that reaper would be exactly like RL, but what would be the point of that?

really it's RL that is imposing a limitation on you, only allowing you to glue when items are side by side, and adding a whole new function if you just want to keep silence between them. i find cutting spacing and gluing with the space more intuitive. i mean, if you think about it, it's kind of weird to need to insert emptiness, empty is lack of stuff, so inserting it is kind of backwards.

you can make reaper behave almost any way you can imagine that you'd like it to be. there is such an AI. as soon as you can't do what you want, do to this website and post what you want to do, or how you wish it could be, and in all likelihood you could make a macro that does exactly what you want.

software can't read your mind yet though. that won't be for another while.

[lawrs]

I agree with this request. Insert silence is very useful. There will come a time when you find yourself wishing it existed. Adobe Audition has this, useful in post production. Cheers.

[Sound asleep]

ya adobe audition has this but it is set in time, which i find annoying whereas splitting and gluing can take advantage of grid spacing to get the right amount of silence. idk, i don't see what it is reaper doesn't have that doesn't give you silence the way you want it. split an item, create the space you want, and glue it, that will make a new wav file with silence in it.