How to Install REAPER Digital Audio Workstation in Windows XP or Windows 7?

Reaper is one of the most reliable multi-track recording software (also known as DAW or Digital audio workstation software) that can run in Windows XP/7. The standard license cost only $60 and this is the discounted license. According to Reaper, you can use this for both personal and commercial use provided the gross revenue does not exceed $20,000.

Bear in mind that if you are using your Windows computer to do recording tasks, the hardware should at least be capable of doing multi-track recording. In this tutorial, it is tested using the following hardware and OS:

OS: Windows XP
RAM: 2GB
CPU: Intel 2.4GHz (Socket 478 technology)
Hard disk: 150GB

Of course today, you might have a computer that is 2 to 3 times more powerful than the above specs so it should work without any issues. To get started follow the steps below:

Installing Reaper

1.) Go to Reaper download page first.

2.) The latest version as of October 2011 is version 4.10. The Windows installer comes in two forms: the 32-bit version and the 64-bit version. In this tutorial, let’s use the 32-bit version.

Click the “Download” button for Windows 32-bit and then click “Save File”, it will be saved to your Downloads folder. The installer that is downloaded is only around 5.8 MB so it is not very heavy.

2.) Close all running Windows and programs (such as browsers, MS office applications, etc) before installing Reaper. Go to My Documents/Downloads and then double click the installer to click “Run”:

reaper410-install.exe

3.) Agree with the terms and select the path where the Reaper should be installed. It is recommended to be installed in your Windows program files directory.

4.) Then under “Choose components”, make sure all components are checked.

5.) Proceed by clicking “Install”.

6.) When it asks you to run Reaper now, click yes. Reaper will run the first time. It will then ask for a license key. Well just click “Still evaluating” if you still need to evaluate Reaper; otherwise proceed to the next section for purchasing and licensing Reaper.

7.) It will also ask to configure the default sound device drivers during the first launch. I will write a detailed tutorial on how to configure Reaper with ASIO devices such as Firewire audio interface. For the meantime just select your default devices (which may be a PCI sound card, USB or Firewire device). The instructions and menu are simple.

8.) Try adding a media file (Go to Insert – Media File).This is how Reaper looks like after adding a single media file (an MP3 file). Provided you have correct set your audio devices, you should hear a sound coming out from your nearfield monitors.

reaper on the first launch

reaper on the first launch