How to Use Reaper
First
You need to download the required software. So head over to the Reaper website (our official multitrack tool) and LAME website (our official mp3 encoding tool) and download the respective versions (the first link on the page is what you want for LAME). Now install! Luckily, Reaper installs just like any other program, but we need the lame_enc.dll file from the LAME zip to be placed within the Reaper directory (usually C:Program FilesREAPER).
Second
You'll need to record something! Reaper is a great tool and is super affordable (effectively free with nag screens, and only $60 bucks for a non-commercial license). Just play with Reaper, you'll get the hang of it. If you want to add a layer to an existing starter mp3 or stacked mp3, just drag and drop the downloaded mp3 into Reaper. Simple!
IMPORTANT: Make sure that if you imported an mp3 to drag it all the way against the left edge of the tracking window. This keeps the timing/alignment correct for everyone.
It's really simple to record, just create a new track and click the little "R" button. This will arm the track. Now just hit the record button near the bottom and this will play whatever tracks you have imported or already recorded while it records a new track. Be careful to use headphones so the speaker doesn't bleed into the microphone. You can adjust the mix via the levels. Now you want to share it, so read on!
Third
You'll want to save/export your masterpiece. Assuming this is a layer to an existing track, you'll need to export two files: the stacked mp3 and the tracked mp3. For the stacked mp3, simply leave all tracks un-muted and click File->Render. Up pops a screen, choose your location, and change the output format to MP3 (lame). The following settings should be:
- quality: --alt-preset standard
- VBR min bitrate: 96
- VBR max bitrate: 256
- VBR quality: 0
Just click render!
Now for the tracked ogg, mute only the imported mp3 (the red "M" button on each track). Test it out by playing it once, you should only hear the new track. Now render to a different file, and change LAME to OGG. Put the quality at 0.6.
Finally
Upload those suckers and take pride in your addition!