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Install Recording Templates in REAPER (Project & Track Templates)

Install Recording Templates in REAPER (Project & Track Templates)

How to Install Recording Templates in REAPER (Project & Track Templates)

REAPER is fast when you teach it your routine. Recording templates load tracks, routing, colors, returns, and a lean tracking chain in one move. This guide shows how to install and manage Project Templates and Track Templates, where those files live, how to wire a dependable vocal rig, and how to keep latency low while you record. You’ll also learn a two-track beat layout, a tidy file strategy, and quick fixes when things go sideways. 


I. REAPER’s template mindset (what you’re really installing)

In REAPER, “installing a template” means putting a reusable file where REAPER expects it. There are two main kinds:

  • Project Template — a full session shell: tracks, folder buses, returns, markers, colors, and preferences. You open it from the New Project dialog or set it as default.
  • Track Template — one or more selected tracks with their FX, colors, I/O, and sends. Great for dropping a complete vocal stack into any current song.

Both are lightweight. You can keep a few focused Project Templates (e.g., “Vocal over 2-Track,” “Full Stems”) and a small library of Track Templates (Lead, Doubles, Ad-libs, Phone FX). Use whichever fits the session.

II. Find the “Resource Path” once, then never guess again

REAPER stores Templates, Track Templates, FX Chains, and more under a single “resource” folder. Open it from the app so you always land in the right place.

  • Open path: Options → Show REAPER resource path in explorer/finder.
  • Key subfolders: ProjectTemplates, TrackTemplates, FXChains, and ColorThemes.
  • Backup tip: mirror this whole resource folder to cloud/external weekly. Your brain lives here.

III. Install route A — Project Templates (new-project starting points)

  1. Open or build a clean session that has the tracks, returns, and routing you want to reuse.
  2. Go to File → Project templates → Save project as template….
  3. Name it clearly (e.g., Vocal_Record_48k) and save. REAPER places it in ProjectTemplates.
  4. To use it: File → Project templates and choose the name; or set it as the default (see Section V).
  5. Rule: never record into the master template. Open → immediately Save As… with the song name.

Why it’s great: fastest “new song” workflow and easy to share with a team.

IV. Install route B — Track Templates (drop a vocal stack into any session)

  1. In your best session, select the tracks that form your vocal rig: Lead, Boost, Ad-libs, Harmonies, and the Vocal Bus. Include their FX and sends.
  2. Right-click a selected track header → Save tracks as track template….
  3. Save into TrackTemplates with a precise name, e.g., VocalStack_Rap_Dry or LeadVox_StockClean.
  4. To recall: right-click in empty TCP space → Insert track from template → pick your stack or lane.

Why it’s great: you can add a complete vocal system to any song without changing the rest of the project.

V. Make it the default so REAPER always opens “record-ready”

  1. Go to Options → Preferences → Project.
  2. Under “When creating new projects,” choose Use the following project file as a template.
  3. Browse to your Vocal_Record_48k.RPP inside ProjectTemplates.
  4. Click OK. New projects now start from that layout automatically.

Tip: keep a second default for 48 kHz video work if you bounce between audio and post.

VI. The vocal chassis (folder buses, returns, and names that stick)

REAPER’s folder tracks route like buses. Use them to keep your session tidy and to simplify rides and printing.

  • Folder structure: make a parent folder named Vocal BUS. Child tracks: Lead, Boost, Ad-libs, Harmonies. The parent receives them all.
  • Returns: create tracks named Room, Slap, Tempo Echo. Disable their record arms; set them to “Receives” only.
  • Sends: from Lead to Room/Slap at low levels; Boost a touch more Slap; Ad-libs a bit more Room/Echo for character.
  • Filters on returns: insert ReaEQ with HPF ~150 Hz and LPF ~6–7 kHz so monitoring stays clear on earbuds.
  • Markers: drop Verse / Pre / Hook / Bridge and a 1-bar count-in; you’ll punch faster.

Naming discipline: “Lead Vox,” “Boost Lines,” “Ad-libs,” “Harmonies,” “Vocal BUS,” “Room,” “Slap,” “Tempo Echo.” No puzzles. Your future self will mix faster.

VII. Low-latency confidence (monitoring that feels like a record)

Keep the tracking chain lean. Save polish for mix time.

  • Device buffer: choose your interface; 64–128 samples while recording. Raise later for heavy mixes.
  • Lead tracking chain: ReaEQ HPF ~80–100 Hz → ReaComp (2:1–3:1, 10–30 ms attack, 80–160 ms release, ~3–5 dB on phrases) → de-ess (ReaXcomp band or a de-ess preset) → optional tiny color (JS saturation) → fast peak catcher (1–2 dB).
  • De-ess before air: if you add an air shelf later, revisit the de-esser so S’s stay friendly.
  • Monitoring FX chain (optional): put comfort EQ/comp on the Monitoring FX chain so recordings stay dry while the singer hears polish.

VIII. Duck your delays the REAPER way (simple sidechain)

Let Slap and Echo bloom between words, not on them.

  1. On the Slap return, set track channels to 4.
  2. Insert ReaComp before the delay. Set Detector to auxiliary 3/4 (the sidechain).
  3. From Lead track, add a Send to the Slap’s channels 3/4 at 0 dB (this is the key signal).
  4. Set ReaComp for a light dip (2–3 dB GR) with a fast release so repeats re-appear in gaps.

Use the same idea for the Tempo Echo return if you want extra clarity during dense lines.

IX. Two-track beat mode (vocals over a stereo instrumental)

When stems aren’t available, you still need lyric clarity and hook size. Keep a separate template variant:

  • Tracks: BEAT (stereo), then the same Vocal BUS and returns.
  • Beat control: use item gain on the BEAT region to ride intros and hooks without smashing the master later.
  • Space choice: smaller Room and lower sends than with full stems; dry-leaning verses read better over dense two-tracks.
  • Hook lift: automate a small Echo send bump on the last bar into each chorus.

X. File hygiene that survives laptops, studios, and updates

  • Self-contained template folder: keep a “Template Assets” folder next to your .RPP template with notes, impulse responses, and any custom JS presets.
  • Versioning: when a template evolves, save a new version (_v1.2). Never overwrite the master.
  • Sample-rate clarity: keep 44.1k and 48k variants if you switch between music and video jobs.
  • Backups: zip the ProjectTemplates and TrackTemplates folders monthly. Your future self will thank you.

XI. Symptom → single move (troubleshooting you’ll actually use)

  • Template not listed: confirm the file lives in ProjectTemplates. Use the Resource Path menu to open the real folder; relaunch REAPER.
  • Track Template loads but sends don’t work: the return names or channel counts changed. Recreate the send to the correct return, then re-save the Track Template.
  • Doubled/flanged monitoring: you’re hearing hardware and software together. Mute one path or enable Monitoring FX and track dry.
  • FX lag while recording: bypass look-ahead analyzers and long reverbs. Track with Comp/De-ess only; add polish after takes.
  • S’s pierce on earbuds: widen the de-ess band; reduce any air by 0.5 dB; low-pass delay returns near 6–7 kHz.
  • Hook collapses in mono: keep Lead centered and relatively dry; put width into doubles/ad-libs, not the Lead lane.
  • Beat buries the voice (two-track): trim BEAT item −1 to −2 dB; ride Lead +0.5 dB; avoid crushing the chain to “keep up.”
  • Sidechain not triggering: confirm the return has 4 channels; send the Lead to 3/4; set ReaComp detector to aux 3/4.

XII. Ten-minute blueprint (from empty to record-ready)

  1. New project → set BPM/key if helpful. Save as “Template — Vocal Record — 48k.rpp”.
  2. Make a folder bus called Vocal BUS.
  3. Add child tracks: Lead (mono), Boost (mono), Ad-libs (mono), Harmonies (stereo or dual mono). Color them consistently.
  4. Create returns: Room (ReaVerbate/ReaEQ filters), Slap (ReaDelay 90–120 ms), Tempo Echo (synced 1/8 or dotted-eighth). Filter returns (HPF/LPF).
  5. Wire sends from vocal lanes to returns. Keep conservative default levels.
  6. Lead chain: ReaEQ HPF → ReaComp (shape) → de-ess band (ReaXcomp or de-ess preset) → optional light JS saturation → fast peak catcher.
  7. Markers for Verse / Pre / Hook / Bridge + a 1-bar count-in.
  8. Save project as template (File → Project templates → Save…). Also select all vocal tracks + returns and Save tracks as track template… named VocalStack_StockClean.

XIII. Organization patterns that scale

Keep a few focused starting points rather than one giant file. Examples:

  • Vocal_Record_48k — lean returns, tracking chain only, Monitoring FX optional.
  • Dubs_2Track_48k — BEAT stereo track, tighter returns, echo throw automation lanes.
  • Podcast_DualMic_48k — two mono mics with gentle expanders, de-essers, and a mono bus for loudness control.

Pair each with Track Templates: LeadVox_StockClean, LeadVox_Punch, AdLib_Phone, Doubles_Tight. Label by intent, not just gear names.

XIV. Export and versioning (clean handoffs every time)

  • Heads/tails: trim silence, add short fades, and leave clean reverb tails.
  • Prints: Main, Instrumental, and A Cappella should share identical starts and ends so versions line up anywhere.
  • Format: 24-bit WAV at session rate. Dither only when reducing bit depth for a specific deliverable.
  • Archiving: save the final song as a new project folder; keep the master template untouched.

XV. Next read: build a template fast (even if you’re new)

If you want a quick primer that pairs with this article, this walk-through shows a simple, repeatable layout you can adapt to REAPER in minutes: build a vocal recording template in 10 minutes. Use it as a checklist while you save both your Project Template and your Track Template variants.

XVI. Closing thoughts

REAPER rewards structure. Put your template files in the right folders, keep roles separated, filter returns, and track with a lean chain. Save a true Project Template for “day one,” and a few Track Templates for lanes you use every session. With those pieces in place—and a tone starter like Reaper vocal presets for fast recall—you’ll open to a studio that already knows you, hit record sooner, and deliver cleaner mixes with less guesswork.

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