just teensy request

[manning1]

This is related to pc performance.
maybe its already in the main display with tracks on left and waveforms on right.
on each track slice on left any chance of showing the per cent cpu load of the track with all its fx enabled ??
this way one could quickly assess any track that might be causing a problem with too many plug ins loaded.
It would save bringing up the fx display.
And in the master track show total cpu load as a percentage.
this would help identify any potential problem areas before they occur particularly on lower power pc's.
Just one other comment.
I'm haveing a trouble wondering why one needs the mixer display as well as the main display. someone correct me if i'm wrong.
because it seems one can do everything in the main display which is nice.
It seems the mixer display purely duplicates most things in the main display. but maybe i'm wrong.

[manning1]

also i need clarificationon something.
i was rather excited to find an interesting feature.
viz...i was playing some tracks then "on the fly"
while tracks were playing i clicked record on new track
plus the main record button and i was recording !!
Am i correct in thinking therefore that i can just start recording anywhere "on the fly" like this ??
if so...great !!! just need clarification.thanks.

[shane]

You are correct, you can record on the fly, and you are also correct that this is great.

In the mixer display you can choose to only display certain subsets of the tracks (like folder tracks, recieving tracks, etc), so it becomes very useful when you have a large number of tracks.

I'm hoping that we get an overriding "show in mixer" option for every track and maybe the ability to rearrange the tracks by dragging to make this more powerful...

[manning1]

shane...
thanks for the info.
recording on the fly....superb.

[Hedgehog]

A load meter for the program would be a useful item.

I do get frightened that too much stuff like this may complicate things and end up bogging stuff down or making things unstable but then again I don't write code so I may not know what the hell I'm talking about.

[shane]

It's really too bad that bmem isn't working for everyone. I've found it pretty indispensible since it was suggested here.

I dunno what Justin's take on this kind of thing is, but my opinion is that if there's a seperate app or plug-in that can accomplish the same task then you should use that and concentrate requests on what you really want out of the raw DAW. Especially for the first version...

Heh. Raw DAW.

[Art Evans]

Heh, just tried Bmem, and it's the first such utility that I'm happy to use and leave running. Seems not to have a performance hit in itself. Thanks for the tip!

[manning1]

you know what would be nice too.
on each channel a built in third octave eq.
for fine eq'ing/tailoring of a track.
just an idea for the future.
unless someone knows of such a plug in.

[Art Evans]

Well - in the way of freeware there's the Kristal eq, the Classic eq, Nyquist eq, Linear Phase Graphic EQ, Paris EQ, PLParEQ1, NWEQ, Tone2biFilter, etc etc - though I wouldn't be confident in saying what's aurally good and what isn't.

[manning1]

thanks art i'll try those.

[funkster1]

Originally Posted by manning1

you know what would be nice too.
on each channel a built in third octave eq.
for fine eq'ing/tailoring of a track.
just an idea for the future.
unless someone knows of such a plug in.

Maybe try out the free VB-Striptool V1. This basically gives you an incredible low CPU usage channelstrip with Trim, Comp, Semi-Par./Sidechainable 3-Band EQ (Pre or Post Comp), and a sizeable Level Display showing all channels where this puppy is inserted. I have it assigned to all channels in Reaper by default (Project settings->make default for all projects).

Cheers
Raphael

[manning1]

thanks funkster...
that vb tool is real close to my needs.
i wish instead of the para eq approach it was a third octave graphic. i just find em easier to work with.
but that vb tool is real nice.

by the way wheres this underrun indicator ??
i dont see it.

[Art Evans]

I'm just gobsmacked - my reputation for knowing all the serious free plugins worth knowing is in tatters! This one seems like the ultimate!! It doesn't expire or something, does it? Absolutely the ideal companion for Reaper, as it's perhaps what Reaper lacks at its front end - and why bother providing it if someone else already has? Wow, my day is made bigtime! Many thanks!

(Can you tell I'm quite pleased about this?)

[RokkD]

Just d/ld this strip tool plug, haven't tried it yet, thanks funkster.

Art, suddenly Im having some major problems with Glaceverb, instant crashes, you know the story, are you still having the same problems?... so anyway Im looking for another free reverb, do you have any in your box that you could recommend.

[fluffy]

Originally Posted by manning1

but that vb tool is real nice.

I only found the vb striptool not long ago, and I must say, it's actually pretty good.

Originally Posted by manning1

by the way wheres this underrun indicator ??
i dont see it.

It's behind the time readout on the bottom toolbar. It'll flash red. If you don't see it, you're good.

[Art Evans]

Assuming you've turned off the worker threads thingy, which seems to be at the root of that problem, then...

Ambience - http://www.smartelectronix.com/~magnus/ - donationware rather than freeware, pretty demanding on CPU

Classic series reverb - http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/classic-series.php

The reverb bundled with Kristal

KarmFX reverb - http://www.karmafx.dk/

Silverspike Room Machine 844 - for room simulation rather than halls - http://www.silverspike.com/?Products:RoomMachine_844

WU Reverb - http://www.greenmachine.pwuq.net/html/download.html

FreeverbToo 1.6 - http://www.sinusweb.de/index2.html

Not recommendations as such as requirements and tastes and needs differ - all worth a try or to have in the toolbox.

[Art Evans]

Things not stunningly obvious in the Striptool -

Double click on controls to set them to default.
Ctrl/click to enter value into text box
Shift click on control for precision control (wow!)
Right click on control for more stuff
Little red dot on selected control shows is linked to mousewheel
Pointer beside input meter sets threshold

[pipelineaudio]

while you guys are discussing free plugs, can you reccomend one for the sidechain tutorial thing? It needs meters and must be stereo locked

doh a compressor I mean

[malcolmj]

Originally Posted by pipelineaudio

while you guys are discussing free plugs, can you reccomend one for the sidechain tutorial thing? It needs meters and must be stereo locked

It's not free, but it's not too expensive, and the sidechaining works well in REAPER:

http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/gup-1.php

[pipelineaudio]

that takes the fun out, I want to do it without a sidechaining plug

[funkster1]

Originally Posted by Art Evans

Things not stunningly obvious in the Striptool -

Double click on controls to set them to default.
Ctrl/click to enter value into text box
Shift click on control for precision control (wow!)
Right click on control for more stuff
Little red dot on selected control shows is linked to mousewheel
Pointer beside input meter sets threshold

Cheers Art,
this plug has indeed one of the best (if not THE BEST) viewing and adjusting options. Never seen something nearly as complete/handy as this one.
To all the others who didn't know this tool, I'm pleased to be of some help or to give some handy tips.

Cheers
Raphael

[RokkD]

Strip tool sounds real nice....but damnit!...it's too long for the fx window..(sighhh...)

Just curious, what are you all using for per track eq and compression ?

[RokkD]

Originally Posted by Art Evans

Assuming you've turned off the worker threads thingy, which seems to be at the root of that problem, then...

Ambience - http://www.smartelectronix.com/~magnus/ - donationware rather than freeware, pretty demanding on CPU

Classic series reverb - http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/classic-series.php

The reverb bundled with Kristal

KarmFX reverb - http://www.karmafx.dk/

Silverspike Room Machine 844 - for room simulation rather than halls - http://www.silverspike.com/?Products:RoomMachine_844

WU Reverb - http://www.greenmachine.pwuq.net/html/download.html

FreeverbToo 1.6 - http://www.sinusweb.de/index2.html

Not recommendations as such as requirements and tastes and needs differ - all worth a try or to have in the toolbox.

Thanks much

Well it seems having 2 instances of glaceverb turned on might be the problem, having turned one off, and treading lightly around the project seems to be working...happy..happy..

fx worker threads turned on btw.

--

[Hedgehog]

Originally Posted by RokkD

Thanks much

Well it seems having 2 instances of glaceverb turned on might be the problem, having turned one off, and treading lightly around the project seems to be working...happy..happy..

fx worker threads turned on btw.

--

Unchecking "render effects in worker threads" fixed the problem I was having trying to use more than one instance of Paris EQ so you might want to see if that fixes your difficulties.


I think Ambience is much better sounding than Glaceverb, it is a CPU hog but it is worth it and it does allow you to actually adjust how much power you want to let it use which is kind of a cool option.

[fluffy]

Originally Posted by RokkD

Strip tool sounds real nice....but damnit!...it's too long for the fx window..(sighhh...)

Just curious, what are you all using for per track eq and compression ?

Rokk, do You have the option checked in "Options/Preferences/Fx Plugins/Automatically Resize Vst/Dx config windows"
Select both up and down. Striptool works fine here.

[RokkD]

I tried the fx worker thread route, and deleting reaper.ini, but it made no difference.

Ive had Ambience for quite some time but never liked it from day one. Glaceverb is much better sounding than Ambience....IMO...funny how we all swear by different plugins.

Thanks for the input..

[RokkD]

Originally Posted by fluffy

Rokk, do You have the option checked in "Options/Preferences/Fx Plugins/Automatically Resize Vst/Dx config windows"
Select both up and down. Striptool works fine here.

Well shut my mouth!...got turned off when I deleted reaper.ini, well at least I can scroll now, but I tell ya, Id give blood for a better fx window setup.

[fluffy]

Originally Posted by RokkD

Well shut my mouth!

I just remembered, You've got your resolution set really low, don't You? (Hence the need to scroll)

[RokkD]

Originally Posted by fluffy

I just remembered, You've got your resolution set really low, don't You? (Hence the need to scroll)

Yep....I need a bigger monitor....two more guitars...more mics...a nice preamp mixer...etc,etc,etc..

[fluffy]

Originally Posted by RokkD

Yep....I need a bigger monitor....two more guitars...more mics...a nice preamp mixer...etc,etc,etc..

Ha Ha! Could you pick me up a few things while you're out?!

[RokkD]

Sure!....can I borrow your credit card..

[Hedgehog]

Originally Posted by RokkD

funny how we all swear by different plugins.

Sure, people will often choose different tools, it's amazing that even in freeware/shareware that there are so many choices available.

[fluffy]

Originally Posted by RokkD

Sure!....can I borrow your credit card..

Ha Ha! uuuuuuhhhhhhh..........

[Art Evans]

Rokk, do You have the option checked in "Options/Preferences/Fx Plugins/Automatically Resize Vst/Dx config windows"
Select both up and down. Striptool works fine here.

Thanks... hadn't spotted that one. "Up/Down" might be better described as "larger/smaller" - I thought it was talking about height and width.

[RokkD]

Originally Posted by Hedgehog

Sure, people will often choose different tools, it's amazing that even in freeware/shareware that there are so many choices available.

Yeah there's some great stuff available, and whats nice is, there's always something new on the horizon.

[manning1]

RokkD....
yeh pick me up a few things lol.
rme sound card, a few hardy mic pre's...
if you win the lottery keep an old retired computer engr in mind....lol. i'll take a couple of quad opterons as well...
heh heh. i wanna see if i can do 500 tracks for laughs.

i know what buffer underruns are. but i'm not getting them.
how do they show up in reaper ?? thnks.

[fluffy]

They show up as a flashing red light, behind the time indicator on the bottom toolbar. You can't see it unless You actually lose samples.

[RokkD]

Originally Posted by manning1

RokkD....
yeh pick me up a few things lol.
rme sound card, a few hardy mic pre's...
if you win the lottery keep an old retired computer engr in mind....lol. i'll take a couple of quad opterons as well...
heh heh. i wanna see if i can do 500 tracks for laughs.

i know what buffer underruns are. but i'm not getting them.
how do they show up in reaper ?? thnks.

Win the lottery 'eh, I never win anything on that...but then I never buy a ticket...hey don't start giving me ideas...ha

Yeah I'll take a quad opteron myself, throw some knobby tires on it, fill 'er up with 100 octane and I'll be ready to rip.

Buffers?... well I use mine to polish my van, it never underruns....oh in reaper, I guess you mean the red bar that flashes now and then, well you being a computer engineer I guess you have your box running like a cheetah.

--

[manning1]

ok its the red line. thanks.
had it just once in a previous reaper version.
very short n quick for a millisecond or so then disappeared.
no more.
if anyones interested and wants a cheap pc box to run reaper on,
test out a sempron with 2 gig of ram ....and a couple of
hard drives with fat caches. should do 40 tracks easy and quite a lot of plug ins....depending how resource heavy they are.

but run your own tests. if you run out of "oomph" just render
the 40 tracks to stereo then import the stereo mix back into reaper as a track and add 39 more tracks.
Its not like the old days where you get tape noise in the bounce lol. In my area in canada semprons with a couple of drives are around 400 buks. Amd 64 is better of course and Amd dual cores
but more expensive of course. But if your track/plug in counts are modest a sempron for the price is a no brainer imho.
if you got not much money.
in one of my tests a sempron in a dsp
test was only 1 second slower than amd 64 single processor.

i would be interested to hear from folks what multiple input sound devices they are useing with the reaper that work flawlessly and PARTICULARLY how the new firewire mixers are sounding versus a hi end audio card like an RME for example for sound quality. Ive been saveing up for an RME, but i'm wondering....provided the sound quality was there whether a firewire mixer might be a nice solution.
but i'm worried about mic pre quality.

The most i'll ever go is 24 bit 44.1 for my little songs i write. I like the firewire mixer idea because no pci slot needed.
anyway if anyones got any suggestions on decent sound devices to use with reaper that wont break my pension lol...i'm all ears.
i just bought a new/slightly used chevy venture and have elderly in my family to help/consider thus i dont have megabuks for sound devices.
how i wish governments would do more for the really elderly....like my mum whose 86 god bless her.
in the last year she learnt how to use a mouse.
she is amazing. plays the piano...and belts the songs out
sight reading the old classics from sheet music.
so i'm getting her a laptop as she is interested in recording.
she was a superb mezzo ...and until a couple of years ago she could hit..not all....but some pretty high notes.
all suggestions appreciated on sound devices or firewire mixers.

[Hedgehog]

Originally Posted by manning1

my mum whose 86 god bless her.

she is amazing. plays the piano...and belts the songs out
sight reading the old classics from sheet music.
so i'm getting her a laptop as she is interested in recording.
she was a superb mezzo ...

I would say get that old lady recorded sooner rather than later, hopefully she will be around for a long time to come but someday you will be glad you have the recordings.



How many inputs do you need and how much do you have to spend?

Do you have mics and stuff or is that part of the budget as well?