Recording with REAPER in the Podcast Studio

Overview

This article describes recording with 1-4 microphones to REAPER.

Audio Interface

The Podcast studio has a Tascam Mixcast 4

• The Mixcast is used to set recording and headphone levels.

Mixer Channels

• 1-4: Mic inputs
• 5: USB feed from the computer
• 6: Stereo line input
• 7: Bluetooth
• 8: Sound Pads

Setting Mic Levels

The faders on the Mixcast set the levels for the recording. We also need to set the mic preamp levels.

1. On the touchscreen touch the 3 horizontal lines in the top left.
2. Touch the square on the left.
3. Touch Mic 1
4. Talk into Mic 1 and adjust the slider on the screen.
   • Have the loudest parts of the signal (the peaks) in the orange region of the meter.
5. Click the triangle to the right of the Mic 1 to go to next mic.
6. Repeat for all the microphones being used.

Setting Headphone Levels

• Use the fader on the Mixcast to set initial levels
• With a strong input level, the channel fader should usually be close to zero (unity).
• The is a separate headphone levels for each headphone.
  • All 4 pairs will have the same mix
• Adjust the level for each participant as needed.

Recording

Creating a New Project in REAPER

1. Open the REAPER application.
2. If there is a warning about REAPER needing to access the microphone click OK on the first warning and Allow on the second warning.
3. REAPER should open with a template for the Podcast Studio
4. You need to save the project befroe recording.
   1. File > Save project as...
   2. Click Desktop on the ledft sidebar.
   3. In Save As enter a meaningful name.
   4. Check the box for Create subdirectory for project.
   5. Click Save

Track and Input Set Up

• The default template should have 9 tracks and a Stereo Mix fader
• Track 1 is the stereo mix from the faders on the Mixcast.
  • This provides a rough mix of the recording.
• Tracks 2-5: Mics 1-4
• Track 6: USB feed from the computer
  • This can cause feedback if the Pro Tools MIx fader is turned up.
  • This would be used for using audio from another app like a participant via Zoom or Teams or media playback from QuickTime.
• Track 7: Line input
• Track 8 Bluetooth
• Track 9: Sound Pads
• MASTER: REAPER Mix
  • Leave this down while recording.
  • Turn up when playing back after recording.

Recording

1. Turn down the large knob on the Mackie Big Knob monitor controller.
2. Arm the tracks you will be using by clicking Track Record Arm button for each track as needed.
3. Always record the Tascam Mix on track 1.
4. Arm any mic inputs and other inputs as needed.
   • If you are not using the USB feed from the computer do not arm this track.
   • It will help prevent accidental feedback.
5. Check record levels and headphone levels.
6. Click where you want the recording to start on REAPER's timeline, moving the playhead to that location.
7. Click the Record button on the transport controls or press (command)+(R) to start recording
8. Click the Stop button or (spacebar) when done
9. In the Select files to save or delete window click Save All.
10. Click the Track Record Arm button on all armed tracks to disable recording.
11. Click Play or (spacebar) to play back the recording.
12. Turn up the large black knob on the Mackie Big Knob  monitor controller listen on the speakers.

Playback

1. Set the REAPER Master fader to 0.
2. On the Mixcast turn up the USB fader.
3. On the Mixcast turn up the monitor out
4. Click Play to playback the recording.
5. Turn up the large black knob on the Mackie Big Knob monitor controller listen on the speakers.
6. Make sure track 6 in the REAPER template (USB) is not record enabled. If it is input monitoring, this will cause feedback.