An unfortunate feeling
I've slowly, but surely, liked Reaper more and more. It took a while to get me over to the dark side. Not always pleasant, and not without conflict. It still happens, for some bizarre reason.
But I am a fan. I like Reaper, and I'm excited about version 4.
I've enjoyed having tools available like custom actions, armable buttons, WALTER, multiple dockers, and other features as they are added.
I think Reaper is solid in the MIDI department, very good clip editing, great in 64-bit, and the menu and toolbar customization is top notch.
I see things like ReaStream, JS plug-ins, 64-bit wrapping of Rewire, and other features, and I can't help but see the power and potential in Reaper. I could almost even put aside the features it doesn't have that I would like or need to use it full-time. The good far outweighs the bad.
Great program, absolutely no doubt in my mind.
But........
For whatever reason, when I use Reaper, I always feel like I'm using an incomplete host. I feel like potential has been squashed in some areas, and I feel like something is missing.
It's not even about the workflow, necessarily. But I just feel like I'm using a host that is at all times "under construction", even if I'm not using a beta.
If I were to put it in the most simple words, I would say that Reaper is unrefined. Not in every area, but in many It saddens me that things like inline MIDI and user interface are stuck at 80%. I would like to say that the inline MIDI helps keep the juices going during that creative moment as it has been known to do elsewhere, but it just frustrates me.
I would like to say that because of the extreme customization available in the interface that it rocks my socks off. But it feels like something is missing. I feel like some things aren't as fluid and as smooth as they could be. It's almost like it lacks that "solid" touch when moving things around. And seeing default Windows backgrounds on some panels like the browser and such, just makes it feel incomplete.
This is a common feeling around Reaper for me. Many rough edges. And while no host is perfect, I don't seem to get the same feeling quite as often in some other hosts. Even Studio One, which severely lacks in features compared to Reaper, just feels solid, refined, and very polished. Other hosts have the same affect.
Now, I want to be very clear. Reaper remains, for me, above most other hosts. I CHOOSE to use it above many other hosts out there, and I own or have tried most all of them. For my dollar, Reaper holds it's own in the market. But I use it primarily for a utility tool and testing tool. And it's EXCELLENT at this.
So I'm curious if I'm alone on this? I'm aware that some people do complete productions, start to finish, of the highest level working in Reaper. My beef isn't with what it's capable of doing, but just with the feel while doing it.
I don't plan on leaving Reaper, and I don't really intend to trash it. But I would be curious to know if anyone out there agrees with me? I'm not really looking for people to tell me "I love it, best host I've tried, etc." as those posts are kind of missing my point. I'm aware it is that way for many. But I'm looking to see if somebody 'gets' what I'm trying to say.
Does that all make sense? Am I crazy? Am I being unfair?
Curious to your thoughts!
Brent
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