REAPER 32 or 64 bit???

  • Thread starter Thread starter John Smiff
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John Smiff

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I downloaded the trial version for REAPER 64 bit. But when I tried importing a VST, it couldn't find the DLL file. So, I downloaded the 32 bit version of REAPER and it found the same plug-in that the 64 version couldn't find. The plug-in is the Kjauherhaus Classic Compressor, in case it matters.

My computer is 64 bit, by the way.

So my question is, are some plug-ins only compatible with 32 bit systems? Or did I just overlook something and the fault might be on my end?

While I'm at it, I might as well ask, does it really matter whether I have the 32 bit version or the 64 bit version? Are there advantages to have one over the other?

Thank you in advance.
 
IIRC you may need to point reaper at your vsts folder.
You'll find how to do this in the preferences/settings section.
 
Thanx Steenamaroo.

I did that. Like I said, the 32 bit version found it, but the 64 bit version didn't. I don't know a lot about VST's, so I'm wondering if some of them might only be compatible with 32 bit systems.
 
John Smiff said:
Thanx Steenamaroo.

I did that. Like I said, the 32 bit version found it, but the 64 bit version didn't. I don't know a lot about VST's, so I'm wondering if some of them might only be compatible with 32 bit systems.
Click to expand...

Make sure Reaper is pointing to the correct folder. You can have it pointing to multi VST folders (semi-colon separator). Many times 32 and 64 bit VSTs are in different folders. If they are, you can also consolidate them into one folder for VSTs that just have DLLs. For those that need to be installed (Superior drummer, Amplitude for example), you need to point them to a VST folder at installation time.

But Reaper will play 32 and 64 in the 64 bit version.
 
Oh sorry, I misread.

Apparently the 64 bit version can't directly use 32bit plugs and relies on something called a 'bridge' to make use of them.
Sounds like your plug was 32 bit and the 64bit V of reaper didn't pick it up.
Either that or it didn't know to look at the 32bit plugin folder. (Are there different folders?)

Here's some reading, although it's not super dooper helpful.

The main advantage to using a 64 bit suite is memory addressing. 64 bit apps in a 64 bit environment can access a much greater amount of ram than 32 bit counterparts.
This is only really important if your computer has more than 4gb ram to start with.
 
Steenamaroo said:
Oh sorry, I misread.

Apparently the 64 bit version can't directly use 32bit plugs and relies on something called a 'bridge' to make use of them.
Sounds like your plug was 32 bit and the 64bit V of reaper didn't pick it up.
Either that or it didn't know to look at the 32bit plugin folder. (Are there different folders?)

Here's some reading, although it's not super dooper helpful.

The main advantage to using a 64 bit suite is memory addressing. 64 bit apps in a 64 bit environment can access a much greater amount of ram than 32 bit counterparts.
This is only really important if your computer has more than 4gb ram to start with.
Click to expand...

Reaper has the bridge built in. Must be a folders. As far as 32/64, while I am not 100% sure, because those guys know how to code, I think they are taking advantage of the 64 bit processing not just the RAM. Most DAWs, including Ableton, just recompiled to use the upper level of RAM. I really don't think this the case in Reaper's case. I could be wrong, but the folks at Reaper really know how to code.
 
Thanx guys. Well, I copied DLL's all over the place, pointed REAPER to all kinds of folders, even tried "Auto detect" to find my VST's, and the 64 bit version doesn't find half the VST's that the 32 bit version does.

By the way, you guys helped me a few weeks ago when I was having PC problems. Turns out, I bought a new PC yesterday and that's why I'm trying to re-install stuff. Even though my PC is 64 bit, I'm just going to stick with the 32 bit version of REAPER, rather than pull all my hair out trying to figure out why the 64 bit version can't find plug-ins. I'm sure the difference isn't even something I'll notice, and I'm not very computer savvy. So, I'll just get to making some music rather than try to be a computer tech.

Once again, thanx for all the help.
 
There is a pretty good (for them!) explanation of 32/64 plugs and DAWs in the December 2013 issue of Computer Music.
I bought it on a whim yesterday and apart from that article it is just the usual old tosh.
If anyone UK wants it PM and I will send it. Or, I could cut out, scan the article and send it as a tatchy?

Dave.
 
Steenamaroo said:
IIRC you may need to point reaper at your vsts folder.
You'll find how to do this in the preferences/settings section.
Click to expand...

I use Reaper and segregate my VST2 plugins by 'bitness'.

Plugins that I only have in 32-bit format go into F:\VST\Common
32-bit versions of plugins go into F:\VST\VST32
64-bit versions of plugins go into F:\VST\VST64

I do this since for some reason I keep Reaper 32 installed even though I don't use it.

Since I run 64-bit Reaper on my Windows 7 x64 system, I set my Options/Preferences/VST plugin path to "F:\VST\VST64;F:\VST\Common".

This allows Reaper to find the 64-bit versions first, and if I use a plugin that I only have in 32-bit format, they will be found in the Common directory.

After making changes to this value either do a "Re-Scan" or a "Clear Cache/Re-Scan" action to update Reaper.

And the built in bridge for 32-bit plugins under 64-bit works pretty well. I like to run them as embedded bridged by:
- open the "Add FX to" dialog by attempting to add a plugin to a track
- Locate the 32-bit plugin in the list
- Right click on the plugin and navigate to "Run As" then "Embed Bridged UI"

This avoids floating bridge windows on the screen - cleanup step really but doesn't affect plugin functionality.
 
Thanks, guys.

It's way too much work for what it's worth. I'm just using the 32 bit version. I'm sure there are a thousand other things that will make or break my sound way more than whether I'm using 32 or 64 bit.

It's not as if I didn't try to get 64 bit REAPER to see my plug-ins. But I spent way more time on it than it's worth. 32 bit is just fine with me.

Thank you for all the help.
 
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