This article explains how to (a) set up Reaper as a streaming source for Remoto Playback and (b) enable Reaper timecode syncing so you and your guests can create Timecoded Markers. Template projects with stereo through 7.1 audio tracks are available for download HERE to help with setup and troubleshooting. Test audio files are also provided.

Reaper can be used as an application streaming source for both audio and video with Remoto Playback. In order for timecoded markers to line up as expected, there must be an MTC track configured as well. There is no direct communication occurring between Remoto and Reaper; all communications/exchanges that occur are occurring at an OS level.

Note that Reaper must be opened and ready BEFORE Remoto Playback is opened.

This article contains 4 chapters:

1. How to set up Reaper to generate and send MTC for Remoto's timecoded markers
2. How to set up Reaper as an Audio Streaming Source using a Virtual Audio Device
3. How to set up Reaper as a Video Streaming Source using Screen Capture
4. How to set up Reaper as a Video Streaming Source using NDI
    

How to set up Reaper to generate and send MTC for Remoto's timecoded markers

Reaper can generate MTC (MIDI timecode) and send it to Remoto Playback, enabling the use of Remoto Playback's Timecoded Markers feature. This process involves 5 steps in Reaper, plus one more in Playback.

Reaper Set Up

Step 1: Create a new mono track in Reaper, and name it “MTC”.

Step 2: Insert timecode generator by clicking Insert > “SMPTE LTC/MTC Timecode Generator”

Step 3: Click on the resulting media to access the media properties. Click on “Properties” and ensure the signal is set to “Send Midi (MTC)” not “ Send Audio (LTC)”. Also verify that the “Start time” matches the placement of the media on Reaper’s timeline. Once this is validated, click “Apply” and “Ok” to close the dialog window.

Step 4: In Reaper’s Preferences, choose “MIDI Devices”. Under the MIDI outputs section, ensure “Bome Software GmbH & Co. KG - Remoto_out” is enabled. If it’s status is displayed as <not available>, you may need to start the stream in Remoto Playback for it to become available during first time setup; it should be displayed as available every time thereafter. Double click on the Device name “Bome…” and ensure that “Send clock to this device” is checked, then press “OK”.

Step 5: In Reaper’s mixer, open the routing button for the MTC track that you created. Uncheck “Master send channels from/to”, and under “MIDI Hardware Output” select “Bome Software GmbH & Co. KG - Remoto_out”. This will transmit the MTC track signal to Remoto.  

Remoto Playback Setup
 

Within Session Settings: Timecoded Markers: select the Sync Input Type of “Remoto MIDI Device Input Port”. This setting must be configured before the stream is launched.

How to set up Reaper as an Audio Streaming Source using a Virtual Audio Device

Reaper allows the selection of only one audio device at a time. Our suggested approach is broken down into two activities. In the first, you will create an Aggregate IO device in Mac’s Audio Midi Setup to route to your normal system output, if you wish. Then you will route to a third party virtual audio device called BlackHole Audio that will feed Remoto Playback. Here are the steps involved:

Reaper Setup
 

Step 1: Make sure BlackHole audio is downloaded.

Step 2: Open Mac’s Audio Midi Setup. Make sure Audio Devices are displayed. If they are hidden, go to Window > Show Audio Devices.

Step 3: Press the “+” in the bottom left to create a new Aggregate Device. Give it a name, and choose all the devices you would like to use with Reaper including the device currently used as  Reaper’s monitoring system, and the virtual audio device that will feed Remoto Playback, (in this example, BlackHole Audio).  Enabling drift correction is encouraged. Take note as to what channels correspond to what device (i.e. 1-8 being the monitoring system, and 9-25 being BlackHole Audio).

Step 4: In Reaper’s Settings (Preferences), go to Reaper’s Audio Device Settings, and select the Aggregate Device that was created.  

*NOTE! If you do not wish to use an aggregate device, and are not concerned about  being able to monitor off of Reaper and are ok with sending Reaper’s output directly to Remoto Playback to monitor from there, there is no need to create an Aggregate device. In this case, select the virtual audio device you would like to use in Reaper’s preference instead.

Step 5: Create a new track in Reaper that matches the channel width of the material to be streamed from Reaper. Name it “Remoto” or the like. In “Add New Hardware output”, select a BlackHole Audio location. Ensure the output channels match the multichannel width desired. Uncheck “Master send channels from/to” so that this track does not also route to the master output.

Step 6: Assign tracks to this track. The sends here should be post fader. This track is now your bus to Remoto.

Remoto Playback Setup
 

Step 1: When configuring the audio source for the stream in Remoto’s Session Settings, select Audio Input Type: Virtual Audio Device, and then select the device that was configured in Reaper (in this example: “BlackHole Audio 16ch”), matching the format previously set in Reaper. Notice that the Aggregate Device created in Audio Midi Setup will be available as an option to choose, but note that this includes the send to the monitoring setup and thus the channels being received by Remoto will not line up.

How to set up Reaper as a Video Streaming Source using Screen Capture
 

Reaper Setup
 

The most convenient way to capture Reaper’s video is to place it in an available display or part of the screen in preparation to use screen capture.

Remoto Playback Setup
 

In Remoto Playback’s Video Session Settings, select "Screen Capture" as the Video Input type. Then select the area of the screen (or second display) that contains Reaper’s video playback window.

Although Reaper appears as an option if "Application" is configured as the input, this is not advised. This approach streams the entire Reaper window, rather than the desired video area. Selecting screen capture allows for the selection of just the video playback window.

How to set up Reaper as a Video Streaming Source using NDI
 

NDI Scan Converter, which is free third-party software published by NDI Tools, enables the capture and presentation of a display, or any combination of windows, applications, players, webcams, etc from a workstation, to any location within a local network. We can use NDI to capture Reaper’s video window, allowing the window to be placed anywhere within the display window, and even operating behind other applications without issue.

To proceed, download the NDI Core Suite from NDI Tools. Then, with Reaper’s Video window open, complete these 5 steps:  

NDI + Reaper Set Up

With Reaper’s Video window open:  

Step 1: Open the “NDI Launcher” application, and launch “NDI Scan Converter”. The application opens and the top menu bar reads “NDI Scan Convertor”.

Step 2: In the menu bar, choose “Capture”, and select “Reaper”; the available windows are now displayed.

Streaming of the Reaper’s Video window to Remoto Playback is now enabled.

The windows are listed by resolution only. If there are many Reaper windows open on screen (such as for plug-ins, etc.) determining the correct window to capture may require some trial and error.

Step 3: Select a window

Step 4: Mute NDI Audio

Once a window has been selected, go to “Settings” and ensure “Mute Audio” is selected.

This is important! Since NDI is capturing both audio and video at the OS level, failing to mute the audio in NDI will route it to other programs and potentially cause feedback or other audio issues.

Remoto Playback Set Up

In Remoto Playback’s Session Settings Configuration page, under Video Settings, select “NDI” as the Video Input Type, revealing the only option available for Streaming Video Input: a single pre-configured option from NDI Scan Converter. The Frame Rate will be grayed out as it is predetermined by NDI Scan Converter.