Video summary

The Best FX Plugins Hidden in REAPER - Part 1

Main summary

Key takeaways

Technology

Overview

This video demonstrates “hidden”/less-known FX plugins that ship with REAPER, showing how to build more advanced vocal processing using multiband-style splitting/joining. The goal is to route different effects to low, mid, and high frequency ranges independently.

Main Idea / Workflow

  1. Start with a vocal track and add effects via Track FX.
  2. REAPER includes common FX (compressor, delay, EQ, gate, pitch/tuning, reverbs), but also additional built-in plugins that may be overlooked due to less obvious categories/tabs.
  3. The core technique uses multiband splitters and joiners:

Multiband Split / Join Concept

  • Splitter (three-band): divides audio into low / mids / highs using crossover points.
  • Joiner (three-band): recombines the processed bands and provides separate faders for low/mid/high so you can mix each band independently.

Why it matters: After splitting, you can insert different plugins on selected frequency bands.

Plugins and Features Highlighted

1) 3-band Splitter + 3-band Joiner (Foundation)

  • The 3-band splitter creates crossover points (default shown around 200 Hz and 2,000 Hz).
  • Crossover frequencies can be changed (example: 100 Hz to 4,000 Hz).
  • The 3-band joiner lets you independently listen/mix each band.

2) 1175-style Compressor (Band-selective Compression)

  • Adds a built-in 1175 compressor as a “favorite” hidden plugin.
  • Placement changes behavior:
    • After the joiner: compresses the full signal.
    • Between splitter and joiner: can be configured (via plugin “pins”) to compress only specific bands (example shown: highs).
  • Also mentioned: a gain knob to adjust loudness/brightness of the compressed band—useful for controlling how forward the top end and “S” sounds feel.

3) Tempo Ping Pong Delay (with Stereo Panning Control)

  • Uses a delay described as ping-pong with tempo, where repeats pan left/right.
  • Parameters mentioned:
    • Note value (example: quarter notes)
    • Mix
    • Pingpong width (controls the left/right movement width)
  • To apply the delay only to a specific band:
    • Place the delay between splitter and joiner
    • Select mid-range pins (example: bands 3 and 4)
    • Adjust crossover to emphasize audibility (example: crossover set to 200)

4) Pingpong Pan (Panning Effect with Speed/Width)

  • A separate “favorite” pingpong pan plugin pans the track.
  • Parameters mentioned:
    • Frequency (controls speed)
    • Width (controls how wide it pans)
  • Like other effects, it can be limited to only mids or only highs using pins between splitter and joiner.
  • The video also uses copy/paste with pin settings to create multiple band-specific panners (e.g., slower/narrower for highs).

5) Tremolo-like Behavior (Implied)

By applying the band-limited pingpong pan settings, the video describes creating a modulation effect that sounds like tremolo (rhythmic left/right movement).

6) Phaser: “4-tap Phaser”

  • Adds a built-in four-tap phaser.
  • Parameters mentioned:
    • Rate
    • Range (affects frequency coverage)
  • Demonstrates listening with and without the phaser in the chain.

7) Flanger: “Flange Baby”

  • Adds Flange Baby flanger.
  • Notes a sonic difference: heard alone it can sound pretty mono, then becomes wider when combined with the earlier band-splitting/widening approach.

8) Chorus/Harmonizer-like: “Ozifier Chorus”

  • Adds Ozifier chorus, described as less “classic chorus” and more like a harmonizer for a wider blend.
  • It increases stereo width via:
    • Time spread
    • Pitch spread to left/right

Video Structure / Review Format

  • The presenter states the video is split into Part 1 and Part 2 and encourages watching Part 2 next.
  • The rest of the video functions as a quick tutorial/demo, focusing on:
    • what plugins exist in REAPER
    • how to combine them for vocal effects

Main Speakers / Sources

  • A presenter (channel host) demonstrating REAPER (“It’s Reaper Mania”), showing the REAPER FX plugins and settings live.

Original video