instantly-convert-audio-to-midi-in-reaper
how-to-export-import-reaper-settings
best-utility-scripts-in-reaper
the-proper-way-to-save-projects-in-reaper-7
how-to-insert-midi-notes-in-one-click-in-reaper
best-midi-settings-for-reaper-s-midi-editor
best-settings-for-reaper-7
practice-your-timing-with-midi-rhythm-trainer-for-reaper
why-reaper-is-not-saving-your-project-settings
how-to-stop-reaper-from-looping-items
split-midi-items-using-mouse-wheel-in-reaper
mind-blowing-midi-note-generator-in-reaper-midi-ex-machina
drum-racks-in-reaper
advanced-fx-browsing-in-reaper
reaper-7
global-scale-tool-in-reaper-let-it-key
5-useful-scale-tools-in-reaper
4-ways-to-get-minimal-in-reaper
how-to-recreate-a-guitar-noise-gate-plugin-in-reaper
best-free-plugins-for-reaper-tukan-studios
how-to-separate-tracks-in-the-mixer
how-to-tweak-any-reaper-theme
js-lava-reverb-amazing-free-shimmer-reverb
how-i-record-guitars-quick-and-easy-in-reaper
5-tips-for-getting-started-in-reaper
create-save-and-load-layouts-in-reaper
customize-the-look-of-your-midi-notes-in-reaper
copy-and-replace-midi-note-sections-in-reaper
quick-way-to-go-through-takes-in-reaper
pan-tracks-using-track-name
amazing-free-denoiser-in-reaper
easy-seamless-loop-using-second-pass-render-in-reaper
reverse-midi-trick-in-reaper
a-guide-to-automation-items-in-reaper
a-trick-to-expand-and-collapse-toolbars-in-reaper
10-automation-shortcuts-in-reaper
how-to-auto-color-in-reaper
quick-way-to-check-your-levels
select-item-without-cursor-moving
how-to-stack-regions-in-reaper
5-ways-to-display-audio-in-reaper
identify-scales
js-nostalgizer
reaper-fix-files
how-to-export-backup-reaper
how-to-merge-midi-in-reaper
layer-sounds-in-one-track-in-reaper
easy-way-to-navigate-big-projects
how-to-install-multiple-reapers
how-to-strum-midi-notes
10-tips-for-writing-midi-drums-in-reaper
how-to-add-borders-to-toolbar-icons-in-reaper-6
easiest-way-to-update-reaper
show-fx-list-inside-tracks-in-reaper
smoother-waveforms-and-meters-in-reaper
how-to-copy-and-paste-velocities-in-reaper-b
quickly-test-different-tempos-in-reaper
allow-drag-import-to-insert-new-tracks
duplicate-tracks-with-no-items
js-droplets
how-to-add-gradients-in-reaper
reaper-v6-72-tons-of-new-track-group-features
how-to-clean-your-fx-list-in-reaper-8
retrospective-midi-recording
6-ways-to-lower-cpu-load-in-reaper
6-metronome-tips-in-reaper
a-trick-to-quickly-loop-items-in-reaper
how-to-reorder-midi-notes-in-reaper
how-to-fully-collapse-folders
easy-audio-stutter-in-reaper
easy-clean-up-project-folders
open-project-folder-in-one-click
change-grid-size-with-your-mouse-wheel
reaper-v6-71
quickest-way-to-pan-tracks
how-to-set-midi-velocity-shortcuts
create-shortcuts-to-your-plugins
5-advanced-ways-to-edit-in-reaper
how-to-show-plugin-ui-inside-your-tracks
how-to-show-vu-meters-on-tracks
6-things-i-wish-i-knew-when-i-started-using-reaper
how-to-stretch-midi-notes
how-to-duplicate-tracks-without-items
a-tool-for-customizing-reaper-6-theme
using-the-master-playback-rate-to-set-tempo
js-ravager-the-extreme-upward-compressor
quick-trick-to-a-b-your-tracks-and-effects
quickest-way-to-detect-midi-chords
quickest-way-to-sidechain-in-reaper
capture-anything-in-reaper-with-global-sampler
how-to-rename-midi-notes
quickest-way-to-create-midi-items
5-ways-to-adjust-crossfades-in-reaper
get-useful-buttons-on-top-of-your-items
how-to-get-rid-of-recording-prompt
quickest-way-to-check-your-mix-in-mono
show-track-panel-on-the-right-side
easily-create-stems-with-stem-manager
oversample-any-fx-in-reaper
rrrreeeaaaa-new-stretching-mode-in-reaper

How to install multiple REAPERs

January 26, 2023

REAPER allows you to install as many REAPERs you want using portable installs! 🤯

This means that you can have multiple REAPERS with different configurations for different purposes. It could be one for voiceover, another one for sampling, one for video editing and your main one for all purposes.

I like to have each one with its own shortcuts, themes, screensets and whatever preference makes sense for that kind of workflow.

Not only that but it can also be used to install REAPER on a flash drive and take your whole setup with you on the go!

What’s a REAPER portable install?

Installing REAPER with the "portable install" option creates a self-contained directory with the program, configuration, themes, hotkey settings, etc.

This has a few advantages đź’Ş

  • You can put REAPER on a flash drive and take it with you to use it on other computers. This means you can bring your entire REAPER setup with you wherever you go.
  • You can have different REAPERs with specific settings for different workflows.
  • You can have different versions or set-ups of REAPER without them getting in the way of each other or your usual Reaper install. When you have finished using one, just delete the folder and it won't have any effect on the other installations.
  • Easily back up REAPER or create experimental duplicate by copying portable install folder.
  • Reproduce a bug in a portable install with default settings to help developers debug.

How to portable install REAPER

🪟 On windows

  1. Download REAPER and open up the installer.
  2. In the first step, enable “Portable install” and click “Browse…”
  3. Select or create a new folder where you want REAPER to be installed.
  4. Once installed, open the folder and run REAPER.exe. This is your portable version of REAPER.

🍎 On mac

  1. Make a new folder anywhere on your mac where you want REAPER to be installed. Name it however you want it.
  2. Download REAPER and open the .dmg file. Copy just the REAPER.app into the folder you created in step 1.
  3. Open the TextEdit app on your mac and create new document.
    Go to
    Format menu and select “Make plain text”
    Go to
    File → Save… and name it “reaper.ini”.
    Make sure to disable “if no extension is provided, use “
    .txt” at the bottom.
  4. Place this “reaper.ini” text file you just created inside the portable folder you made in step 1. Your folder should look like this:
  5. Lastly, run the REAPER.app located inside the folder you made in step 1. This will create all the configuration files automatically.

📹 Feel free to check this step by step video: Portable Install in REAPER

Recommendations

It’s important you leave the REAPER.exe/REAPER.app file inside the folder. This way it will remain portable and use whatever configurations are inside that folder.

You can create a desktop shortcut to REAPER.exe/REAPER.app so it’s easier to access. I also recommend renaming it in case you want to use it for specific purposes.

After installing

  • You will need to add your license key to the portable install. To find the file reaper-license.rk, open your normal Reaper install and select "Options → Show REAPER resource path in explorer/finder...".
  • You may want to transfer the configuration from one Reaper install to another: Go to “Preferences → General → Export/Import configuration”.
  • If you use the SWS extension or Reapack, you will need to install it as well. It’s the only thing that doesn’t get exported from the step above.
    You can simply copy the
    UserPlugins folder found in "Options → Show REAPER resource path in explorer/finder...".

That’s it!

Now that you know how to install REAPER with a portable install, you can have multiple versions of REAPER for different purposes and workflows. You can also install REAPER in a flash drive and take it with you to use in other computers.

Have fun and enjoy the flexibility that portable installs have to offer! 🤩

Hai there!

I'm Alejandro, and I created this ad-free page to give you the best experience learning REAPER.

If you find my work helpful, please consider buying me a coffee. That'd help me cover the costs of this site and gives me more time to create free resources.

Buy me a coffee ♥
Buy me a coffee
View comments