It is always good to go look at forums to see the kinds of annoyances and problems users face.

I find it frustrating ion Reaper to not be able to move certain mixer elements in the GUI into the order I want (although I could order them in the track control panel left of the timeline).

Many of the problems discussed are over my head, so I may not understand the problem, but may understand what the problem is ABOUT.
Kind of like how I do not understand the problems SpaceX deals with, but I still know those problems are about space travel.

And some of those problems have opened my eyes to capabilities and ways of doing things I didn't realize existed or hadn't considered.
Same is true for other DAWs. It's good to at least get familiar / try them.

 

The limitations of each daw is where you learn workarounds and problem-solving.

Calling Reaper “the Linux of DAWs” makes sense in context:

Extension possibility: Users can write scripts and plug-ins.
Community code contributions: scripts and extensions are shared publicly via ReaPack package manager. Like Linux distro repositories.
Open-ended customization: Just like Linux, you can tweak almost anything if you know how.
Compared to other DAWs: Most DAWs (Logic, Ableton, Cubase, Pro Tools) are almost entirely closed-source. You can use plug-ins, scripting and the environment in Logic, for example. but you can’t really modify the DAW itself.

That comparison is not only pretty accurate, it's almost obvious. And powered by: free labor.

 

Thats the thing with Reaper it can do ANYTHING and behave like EVERY OTHER DAW there is
But you have to set it up first and that takes some time and you really have to dig deep in macros and scripts.
But when thats done you have a DAW that behave almost exactly like your expensive p.o.s and if you like it can also behave like all other expensive p.o.s DAW on the market.
And all that for 60$ for a two version period with FREE updates
Or if you like even totally free if you can look at a nag screen for 3 seconds and then hit the still evaluating button

 

I know, that's why I can do it

 

I wouldn't have called Jack the Ripper democratic....

 

Thats not like you want to present it here, scripts and add-ons are only an additional part of Reaper, not the main one, and it is self-sufficient without any "free labor" or codding, this is a finished commercial product but with an open API, which is quite fashionable now. That's why Reaper is head and shoulders above the rest.
It's like any modern browser with add-ons or Photoshop, but the code is as user-friendly and open as possible.
You can't modify the DAW in a linux way rewriting the kernel or the core for example you can only expand and bring functionality that Reaper already provides closer to the user. hope my explanation makes sense

Your attempt to present Reaper as Linux in your interpretation looks like it's just a scare for the DAW average user as if he should have a scientific degree to use it and put in a lot of own work for free, it's just a modern kind of product with API of which the ordinary user doesn't even suspect.

 

Last edited: Aug 29, 2025 at 12:50 PM

Usually about 6 years!

 

Somehow this thread reminds me of threads dealing with: what is the best compressor, what is the best EQ, what is the best "....."
In my opinion there is no #1 tool or program for everybody. There is however a best tool for each and everyone personally. It's about to find which it is. Which tool fits best to your needs for making music. And there it all comes down to what you actually need for making music: inspiration and creativity. I haven't been creative for more than a year, even although I have all #1 compressors, #1 EQ's and whatever other #1's VST's and VSTi's.

Sometimes Reaper fits your needs best. Sometimes Ableton fits better. Sometimes FL fits better or whatever DAW.

 

Right. Talent, if it exists, will manifest itself with any instrument and tool

 

Indeed!! I once had saved enough money to buy a new Yamaha DX7-II in 1986 or so. I was very proud to finally have an instrument that would enable me to express my creativity. Then I was one time in the Vondelpark in Amsterdam. I saw a young man playing a Yamaha DX100. Look it up on youtube. It is a DX9, but then with 49 small keys. For me this DX100 was sort of a childish toy. Far beneath my capabilities of course. But he played f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c!!! It sounded fabulous!!! And I got depressed for several days because I then knew I did not have enough talent to use my DX7-II even close to what this guy was doing with his DX100. Ahhhh....if only I would have had a tiny little bit of this guy's talent.....