The fastest way to import audio into Reaper

Open Reaper, then drag an audio file directly from your file manager onto the arrange window (the large empty area in the middle of the screen). Reaper will create a new track and place the audio on it. That's the quickest route for a single file.

If you want more control over where the audio lands or need to import multiple files at once, use the File menu instead. Click File > Import audio, then select one or more files from the dialog that opens. Reaper will add them to your project in the order you select them.

Both methods work the same way underneath: Reaper reads the audio file without moving or changing it. The file stays wherever it was on your computer, and Reaper just references it. This matters if you move or delete the original file later — Reaper won't be able to find it.

Key Takeaways

  • Drag and drop is the fastest method for importing a single audio file — just drag from your file manager onto the arrange window.
  • Use File > Import audio to import multiple files at once or to place audio at a specific point in your timeline.
  • Reaper references the original file rather than copying it, so moving or deleting the file will break the link in your project.
  • You can import WAV, MP3, FLAC, OGG, and other common formats; Reaper handles most audio file types without extra software.
  • If Reaper doesn't recognize a file format, you may need to install additional codecs or convert the file to a supported format first.

Understanding where Reaper places imported audio

When you import audio, Reaper puts it at the beginning of the timeline by default (at the 0:00 mark). If you want it to start at a different time, click on the timeline where you want the audio to begin before you import. Reaper will place the audio at that point instead.

If you drag and drop onto an existing track, the audio lands on that track. If you drag onto empty space below all your tracks, Reaper creates a new track automatically. This is useful when you're building a project from scratch and don't want to manually create tracks first.

What to do if Reaper doesn't recognize the file format

Reaper supports WAV, MP3, FLAC, OGG, and several other formats out of the box. If you try to import a file and Reaper shows an error or refuses to open it, the file format is either unsupported or corrupted.

The simplest fix is to convert the file to WAV or MP3 using free software like Audacity or FFmpeg. Download Audacity from audacityteam.org, open the file in Audacity, then go to File > Export > Export as WAV (or MP3). Once you have the converted file, import it into Reaper normally.

If you use FFmpeg from the command line, the command is straightforward: ffmpeg -i inputfile.m4a outputfile.wav. Replace the input and output filenames with your own. This works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Importing audio from video files

Reaper can extract audio directly from video files like MP4, MOV, and AVI. The process is the same: drag the video file onto the arrange window or use File > Import audio and select the video. Reaper pulls the audio track and discards the video.

This is useful if you recorded a video on your phone or camera and want to edit just the audio in Reaper. You don't need to extract the audio separately first — Reaper handles it for you.

Managing file paths and avoiding broken links

Because Reaper references the original file rather than embedding it, moving or deleting the audio file breaks the link. When you open the project later, Reaper will show a message saying it can't find the file and ask you to locate it manually.

To prevent this, keep your audio files in a folder alongside your Reaper project file, or use Reaper's File > Consolidate project feature. Consolidate copies all the audio files your project uses into a single folder and updates all the links. This way, you can move the entire folder without breaking anything.

If you've already moved a file and Reaper can't find it, go to File > Project settings > Media and click Search for missing media. Reaper will scan your computer for files that match the ones in your project and reconnect them if it finds them.

Importing multiple audio files as separate tracks

If you have several audio files you want to import as separate tracks (for example, individual drum tracks from a multitrack recording), use File > Import audio and select all of them at once. Reaper will create a new track for each file and stack them vertically.

The order they appear on screen matches the order you selected them in the import dialog. If you need to rearrange them later, click and drag the track headers to reorder them.

Importing audio at a specific sample rate or bit depth

Reaper automatically detects the sample rate and bit depth of the audio file you import. If your project is set to 44.1 kHz and you import a 48 kHz file, Reaper will play it at the correct speed without changing the file itself.

If you want to change the sample rate or bit depth of an imported file, you need to convert it before importing. Use Audacity or FFmpeg to resample the file to match your project settings, then import the converted version. This prevents timing issues if you're mixing files recorded at different sample rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import audio from a URL or streaming service?

No. Reaper only imports audio files stored on your computer or connected drives. If you want to use audio from a streaming service, you need to download it first or record it using screen recording software, then import the file.

What happens if I move my project file to a different folder?

Reaper will lose the link to your audio files unless you moved the audio files along with the project. Use Consolidate project (File > Consolidate project) to copy all audio into a folder with your project, then move both together. This keeps everything connected.

Can I import audio without creating a new track?

No. Reaper always places imported audio on a track. If you want to use audio as a reference without editing it, create a track, import the audio, and lock the track so you don't accidentally move or change it.

Does Reaper support importing from external hard drives?

Yes, as long as the drive is connected and Reaper can see it. Keep in mind that if you disconnect the drive later, Reaper won't be able to find the audio files. For permanent projects, copy the audio files to your computer's internal drive first.

What's the difference between importing and recording audio?

Importing brings in audio files that already exist on your computer. Recording captures new audio from a microphone or other input device connected to your computer. Both create tracks in Reaper, but recording happens in real time while importing is instant.