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Software Installation

FileZilla

FileZilla allows you transferring music files between your computer and the server that we share. This type of software is called an FTP client.

Installation

  1. Download FileZilla here : http://filezilla-project.org/download.php?type=client

  2. Ask me by mail your user name and password.

  3. During the installation, choose all the default options. Launch FileZilla.

  4. Then, you must enter the address of our server. Do the following steps :

    • Open File menu > Site Manager.

    • My sites > New site.

    • Host: www.benoitsanchez.net.

    • Authentication type : Normal.

    • Enter your user name.

    • Enter your Password.

    • Press OK.

Connection

Whenever you need, you should :

  • Launch FileZilla

  • Click on the arrow beside the icon below the File menu.

  • Click on “New Site”

The left column shows your computer's folder tree. The right column shows the root folder of the FTP server. We can simply drag from one to another. Typically, you copy a folder or a file at a time.

Folders structure

In an audition context, you can only access the public part of the server (in italics). Once a member, you can access the entire server.

  • Public: public area of ​​the site, accessible to some people, especially during recruitment.

    • VST_PC : .dll files of commons VST plug-ins for PC.

    • VST_Mac : .vst files of commons VST plug-ins for Apple's computers.

    • RisingTideJS : commons JS effects of the collaboration.

    • Softwares : various small softwares.

    • Documentation : documents, including the Reaper manual.

  • REAPER test projects : Projects used in case of recruitment of a new member.

  • REAPER projects : Projects being edited.

  • REAPER templates : Contains templates of effects and virtual instruments for everyone.

  • Sample library : Our sample library.

  • Soundfonts : Virtual instruments in SF2 format. Usable with a soundfont VST player like Take1, bs1, Crystal...

  • ReaVerb impulse response : files for Reaverb, like reverbs and amplifiers simulations...

  • Perso : Members personal folders.

  • Design : GIMP projects and shared pictures for a design use.

  • Misc : Miscellaneous files folder.

REAPER

Installation

REAPER is a professional audio and midi sequencer, cheaper than the standards (ProTools, Cubase SX, Logic), for Windows and Mac OS. It's free the first month and then costs 40$.

  1. Download REAPER here : http://www.reaper.fm/download.php.

  2. Install the software with default options.

Close the Mixer

The mixer looks like a mixing console. It's located below the main editing panel. It is not always useful and takes much of space. Close-it by clicking the cross button on the bottom of the screen.

 

Create and configure the temporary folder

Create a new folder on your computers, named "REAPER Temp" for example.

Open REAPER and :

  1. Go to the menu Options > Preferences.

  2. Click on the General > Path tab.

  3. Set the "Default recording path..." and the "Alternate waveform peak..." options :

    • Select Browse.

    • Select the created Folder.

    • Press OK.

Don't store the peaks files in the current project directory

The peaks files contains previews of the sounds curves displayed in the main editing panel of REAPER. REAPER stores it for less processor usage, when a project is opened. However it would use space on the FTP server for nothing. You must configure REAPER so that the files are not stored in the project folder :

  1. Open the preferences. (Options menu > Preferences)

  2. Go to media tab. (NB: there is 2 medias tabs, it's not about that is in the “Appearance” tab)

  3. Select "Store all peak caches in alternate path".

  4. Press OK.

Don't store the “.bak” files in the current project directory

“.bak” files are automatic backups of the project. It takes space on the server for nothing too. You can set a different folder for storing this files :

  1. Open the preferences.

  2. Go to Project tab.

  3. "When overwriting project file, rename old project to .rpp.bak" must be unselected.

  4. Set the “Every” value to 15 minutes.

  5. Below, the first and the second parameters must be unselected, and the last two selected.

  6. Click "Browse" and select the folder created in the second paragraph.

  7. Press OK.

It should look like this :

Store the external files in the current project directory

REAPER can use samples that aren't in the project directory (for example : samples stored in a library folder). You must set up REAPER for copying these files in the project folder :

  1. Open the Preferences.

  2. Go to Project tab.

  3. Select "Look for project media items in project directory before qualified path".

  4. Press OK.

Audio configuration

  1. Open the Preferences.

  2. Go to Audio > Device tab.

  3. If you have an audio device who is ASIO compatible, set Device to ASIO.

  4. Set the Input and Output range if you have a multichannel audio card.

  5. If you use an Apple MAC computer, select "Request buffer size".

  6. Press OK.

If you have a MIDI keyboard

  1. Open the Preferences window.

  2. Go to Audio > MIDI devices.

  3. Click with the right button on your device and select “Enable input”.

  4. If you have some assignable buttons and potentiometers, you can select “Enable input for control messages” to control JS and VST plug-ins parameters and Reaper actions with your device. Reaper record the CC (Control Change) commands in the midi items even the control messages option is inactive.

  5. In the table below, if your MIDI Device is compatible with the MIDI Clock messages, you can activate it by right clicking on your device and select “Send clock/SPP to output”.

  6. Select “Enable output” if you want to send notes and control change messages to your MIDI device.

  7. Press OK.

VST/VSTi

Organize your computer for VST plug-ins

  1. Create a folder named “VST” in your hard drive.

  2. Open REAPER. (Windows Vista/Seven users : If you already have VST plug-ins located in the programs directories, open Reaper in administrator mode.)

  3. Go to "Options" > "Preferences..." > "VST".

  4. Click on "Add" and select the correct folders.

The VST folder

The VST folder contain libraries, some plug-ins programs compatible with REAPER that are used for effects and/or virtual instruments. File extension are “.dll” for Windows and “.vst” for MAC OS.

You can create as many sub-folders as you want, REAPER read the entire sub-folders tree.

Organize them according to what is more practical for you. By convention, I decided to organize my folders by manufacturers.

Plug-ins for Timeless collaboration

These are free VST plug-ins common to collaboration members. You must install it :

  1. Reaplugs (already installed with Reaper)

  2. MDA plug-ins

  3. Voxengo plug-ins

Run Filezila. Go to the server and open the “VST_PC” or the “VST_Mac” folder depending on your system. Copy "mda" and "Voxengo" folders in your VST library you have created.

JS Plug-ins

JS is a scripting language which is interpreted by REAPER and allows you to modify and/or generate audio and MIDI data. Each JS plug-in is a simple FX or sampling application.

By default, REAPER have many of JS effects. For technical reasons, we have created our own JS plug-ins. Install it :

  1. Run REAPER, open Options menu and select "Show REAPER resource path in explorer/finder", locate or copy the folder address in the folder path box.

  2. Open Filezila, open the folder or paste the address in the left frame.

  3. Copy the folder "RisingTideJS" located in the public section of the server to your folder.

REAPER will automatically detect all JS effects without any further manipulation.