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Reaper Volume Question

W

WannaJazz

Supporting Member
May 7, 2010
556
166
#1
I'm new to Reaper, and have registered with the forum.

I'm still waiting to be allowed to use the forum.

So I'll ask my question here, since there are so many Reaper users here.

How do you adjust the volume when playing an imported track?

I play my bass along with an imported track, and my bass volume is much lower than the imported track volume.

Yes I did google it.

And found nothing.

At least I still have 58 more days left on the free trial.

Edit: While watching a video by Adam Steele, I noticed that he used the volume button.

Apparently it's so simple, he didn't mention how, which is my question.

I'm using a laptop.

This is the first laptop I have used, and I don't know how to use the touchpad to adjust the volume in Reaper.

Which is the crux of my problem so far.
 
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#3
Thanks for the reply.

It has occurred to me, that the version I'm using may be different than most are used to.

I'm using version 6.

The volume knob has been changed from a slider to a rotary knob.

I am new to Reaper, and new to using a laptop, and a touchpad.

I need to find out how to use the rotary knob with a touchpad.
 
#4
it's the same operation click and hold down the (what would be left mouse button) while the curser is hovering over the knob. drag the curser up or down to change volume, not in a circular motion.

The version your using is fine though you may want to swap to a New Skin that uses Faders, if your more comfortable with that.

How To Use Your Laptops Touchpad Properly
  1. To move the cursor, place on finger on the touchpad, and drag it across the surface. The faster you move your finger, the faster the pointer on the screen will move.
  2. If your touchpad has two dedicated buttons, pressing the right button will simulate a “right click”, pressing the left one will simulate a “left click”.
  3. If your touchpad has no dedicated buttons, press the lower left portion of the touchpad inwards, this simulates a “left click”, doing the same on the lower right side simulates a “right click”.
  4. On most modern laptops, if you just quickly tap on the touchpad somewhere near the right mid to lower section, it will simulate a left click.
  5. On most MacBooks you can tap two fingers on the trackpad at the same time to simulate a “right click”. You can have clicking the right side of the touchpad simulate a “right click” by going into the settings and enabling this.
 
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#5
Thanks for the reply!!

That was very helpful!!

Now I'm able to turn down the imported track, so I can hear my bass a little better.

I would like to find a way to turn up the volume of the bass, because it's no fun having the instrument volume so low.

I did experiment with an amp, a pre amp pedal, and a D.I. box.

The interface still distorts before I can get the volume to an acceptable level.

Since I'm on the subject, on a bass guitar forum, I thought I would mention this issue here.

I have been authorized to use the Reaper forum now, so I can ask about these things there.

I appreciate the help I got here.
 
#7
I did run into an issue regarding monitoring.

When I armed Reaper for recording, I got an echo that didn't happen with recording unarmed.

I found a video on youtube that explained that I was experiencing 'double monitoring'.

Meaning that both the interface, and Reaper were monitoring at the same time.

The video described how to turn off monitoring in Reaper.

I found no information online about how to use the touchpad with the Reaper volume knob.

I did read one article where a guy said you can't adjust the volume in Reaper.

Fortunately, you were able to set the record straight regarding that issue.

Thank you very much! :thumbsup:
 
#9
I had to wait for a few days to be authorized to use the forum.

I am able to use it now.

After attempting to use the ever crashing Audacity, I have found that the meager amount of knowledge I gained, does not apply to Reaper.

It's like landing on another planet!
 
#10
Have you figured out the low volume of the Bass?
They get you squared away with that I hope, if not (if everything's working properly) it's a simple matter. We've all been there, stuck at the beginning.

Audacity has it's uses (for me) Though, I think you made the right move to Reaper.
The best thing about Reaper is... You make it work for You. Customize anything (just about) to the way you want it.

Generally (I think) Anything -18 to -6db is ok for a signal on the recorded (Bass) track. If the Bass isn't loud enough turn down the other tracks and bump up the Master Output.
Faders.PNG
 

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#11
Thanks for the reply,

I believe the issue I'm having is with the Rubix 22.

I was using a Fousrite 2i2, while using Audacity. Then it broke down.

Since I was using Ubuntu, my options for an interface were limited to only two choices.

And shortly afterward, Audacity went kerflooey.

So I got a windows laptop, hoping that the volume issue would not be a problem.

it is, so now that I have a Windows machine, I can use a Focusrite again.

And that will be my next step.
 
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#14
DECOSTAJ said:
Have you figured out the low volume of the Bass?
They get you squared away with that I hope, if not (if everything's working properly) it's a simple matter. We've all been there, stuck at the beginning.

Audacity has it's uses (for me) Though, I think you made the right move to Reaper.
The best thing about Reaper is... You make it work for You. Customize anything (just about) to the way you want it.

Generally (I think) Anything -18 to -6db is ok for a signal on the recorded (Bass) track. If the Bass isn't loud enough turn down the other tracks and bump up the Master Output. View attachment 4536441
Click to expand...

Warren Huart says that "invisible on the screen is" is too quiet, while active clipping (peaks of over zero) is too loud. I'd avoid the nearly zero option with an actual physical instrument like a bass, but I wouldn't worry about recording level too much either. One of the brilliant things about Reaper is that you can do your gain staging wherever and however you want, as long as it's not clipping the FX, the input, or the master bus. I do find recording into my Focusrite 2i2 can be a little weird in terms of balances, but between adjusting the master bus and the backing tracks I need to hear the most, I can get a decent balance. I really do wish there was a mini-headphone mixer between computer sound and input sound on my interface.
 
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#15
I just set Reaper up on my MacBook Pro (I also have it on a Linux laptop). I am using an Allen&Heath ZED16FX for my usb audio interface.
I am in the learning stage.
When I first started using this setup, the track volumes were a big issue. It wasn't Reaper. The problem was the routing I was using on my mixer. After studying the mixer manual, and resetting everything properly, the gain and volume is working fine. Plus, the signals are much cleaner without all of the noise I was dealing with.
I know your interface is different, however, make sure it is working properly and the track is routing properly before looking into Reaper as the problem. All of this equipment has a learning curve, and sometimes it can be frustrating.
 
#16
Now I have a different type of volume question, regarding Reaper.

As I play my bass along with a track I imported, I see no way of controlling the volume of my bass track.

I would like to be able to turn it up a bit.
 
#18
Thanks for the reply!

When you say pre/input channel, I assume you're referring to the audio interface.

I am on my second interface (Roland Rubix 22), after the first one (Focusrite 2i2) went down after ten years.

I have the gain up as far as it will go without distorting, on my amp, as well as the interface.

I've been dissatisfied with the volume since I got the Rubix.

If my understanding of your reply is correct, then I'm off to find a new interface.
 

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