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Setting up REAPER for Rock Band 3 Charts

REAPER showing off its goodness in the current day.

This is a quick setup guide to get REAPER up and running without having to hunt down lots of files from various places.
All of the included resources are confirmed working and made for the latest version of REAPER and Python.

Please refer to the old but reliable [RBN/C3 Authoring Documentation] as it has stood the test of time. There is also [an amazing book by doa] but keep in mind that certain bits of it suggest installing the outdated version of REAPER. You can and should ignore this.
Likewise, there is [a thorough video by Truce] but once again, you should keep in mind that it may mention that you should install an old version of REAPER. You can and should ignore this.

If you have questions or get stuck, you can ask for help in the [MiloHax Discord]. There’s even a [dedicated charting channel].

Installing REAPER

Section titled “Installing REAPER”

  1. [Download and install the latest 64-bit version of REAPER.].

    • Please DO NOT enable the Portable install option when installing!
    REAPER's download page cropped to show the download button for Windows. The cursor is over the green Download button in the Windows section.

  2. [Download and install the latest 64-bit version of SWS / S&M Extension.].

    • Please keep Python ReaScript support enabled when installing!
    SWS/S&M Extension's download page, cropped to show the download button for Windows. The cursor is over the 'Download x64' button in the Windows section.

  3. [Download and install the latest version of Python 3 if you don’t have it already.].

    • Do NOT download Python install manager!
    • Python 2 is NOT the same and will not work.
    Python's download page cropped to show a cursor over 'get the standalone installer for Python 3.14.2'.

  4. [Click here to download the REAPER Files .zip archive.].

    • a. Extract the .zip archive somewhere convenient.
    • b. Drag the Common folder into DRAG 'Common' HERE shortcut.
    • c. Drag REAPER into the DRAG 'REAPER' HERE shortcut.
    • d. Replace any files if you’re asked.
    Folders being dragged into shortcuts to other folders.

Adjustments after installing REAPER

Section titled “Adjustments after installing REAPER”

  1. Open REAPER

  2. Click on Options > Preferences.

    A cursor over 'Preferences' in REAPER

  3. Scroll down to Project

  4. Click on Backups.

    • a. Enable Auto-save to timestamped file in project directory.
    REAPER's Preferences showing the Backups section.

  5. Scroll down to Audio.

  6. Click on Device.

    • a. Change Audio System to WASAPI.
    REAPER's Preferences showing the Device section.

  7. Scroll down to Media.

  8. Click on MIDI.

    • a. Change Ticks per quarter note for new MIDI items to 480.
    • b. Change Character set for exported .MID text events to Latin-1.
    REAPER's Preferences showing the MIDI section.

  9. Scroll down to Plug-ins

  10. Click on ReaScript

  11. Enable Python for use with ReaScript.

    • a. If Python isn’t found, it’s usually in %LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\Python[Python Version]
    • b. The DLL will always be “Python[version].dll”, i.e. Python312.dll
    REAPER's Preferences showing the ReaScript section.

Important keybinds

Section titled “Important keybinds”

The following shortcuts have been added:

  • F6 - [Pro Keys Preview]: See your Pro Keys chart in real time.
  • F7 - [EVENTS Tools]: Tools for the EVENTS track.
  • F8 - [EncoreVoxPreview]: See your vocal chart in real time.
  • F9 - [CAT]: Various tools for customs authors.
  • F10 - [VenueGen]: Tools for creating VENUES.
  • K - Makes a count off. You have to click on bar 2 before pressing this.
    • Reminder to tempo map first then chart because the count in will shift everything right!
  • Q - Sets tempo by bar depending on where your cursor is.
  • SHIFT+Q - Move closest grid line to mouse cursor while holding.
  • SHIFT+L - Import lyrics for selected notes from file.
  • NUMPAD 9 - Set note lengths to grid size.

Other essential stuff

Section titled “Other essential stuff”

It’s worth checking this stuff out!

  • [RBN/C3 charting guide] - The essential guide on charting for Rock Band. Written by Harmonix and with parts added by the C3 team.
  • [MAGMA] - A tool to compile your custom so it can go in the game. It’s still in use and has been improved over the years.
  • [Nautilus (formerly known as C3 CON Tools)] - The Swiss army knife of Rock Band stuff. Lots of great and specific tools for customs.
  • [Onyx] - A must have tool if you’re testing on RPCS3 as it can export into a modern PS3 format.
  • [Ultimate Vocal Remover GUI] - Contrary to what the name is, this does a lot more than just remove vocals. This is AI stem separation software that can greatly help in separating a song into separate elements to help with charting. The version linked is a beta version that includes the ability to import Roformer models. Here are the suggested models:
    • Demucs:
      • htdemucs_ft - Essential. Separates into four instruments.
      • htdemucs_6s - Essential and gives you six instruments instead of the usual four.
      • hdemucs_mmi
      • htdemucs
    • MDX-NET
      • UVR-MDX-NET INST HQ 3 or 5 - Essential as it usually gives better vocal isolation than Demucs.
      • [Drumsep] - Essential as it separates a stereo drum track into various elements. Helps a ton with drum charting.
  • [Pro Guitar Guide] - You’re probably never gonna touch Pro Guitar/Bass, but for the masochists, this is the only good guide out there.

Troubleshooting

Section titled “Troubleshooting”
  • RBN Preview doesn’t load!
    REAPER showing a broken RBN Preview.
  • I get “Error opening devices” when swapping to WASAPI!
    • Could not find input device: You probably don’t have a microphone connected Change the “Input channels” to 0 in the Device section of Preferences.
    REAPER showing an error that says 'There was an error opening the audio hardware. WASAPI Error: could not find input device'.

Credits

Section titled “Credits”

This pack includes files from the following projects:

Many thanks to:

  • AddyMills - helping improve the template
  • Aloquendiar - helping with the updated version of Venuegen and screenshots
  • C0Assassin - helping improve the template
  • Deevun155 - porting the updated version of Venuegen
  • ElFish - bringing up the Python3 port of CAT to my attention
  • farottone - creating and contributing to the original C3 Authoring Tools and many other foundational projects
  • Glitchgod
    • For some error screenshots
  • Kueller - creating and contributing in many of the original versions of the tools
  • Linos - helping improve the template and being one of the most helpful in the charting channel
  • Loflyinjett - answering our prayers and getting us a Pro Keys preview tool
  • Lore Hero - motivating me to move this info out of a single Discord channel and providing us with amazing content
  • Lunalawl - coming up with most of the idea. She is currently working on making this even easier
  • Lynxeption - helping testing, helping put the archive together, and screenshots
  • maria/solamint - contributing to Encore Vox Preview
  • TheNathannator - providing with the original RBN files and being one of the nicest people ever
  • Nemo - creating and maintaining various essential tools that are still in use to this day
  • Onyxite - creating and maintaining Onyx, one of the best inventions for plastic guitar games
  • poliwhirlge
    • For updates to CAT
  • RaiderGG - creating EVENTS Tools
  • Ruggy - icons, Pro Guitar stuff, testing and helping improve the template
  • seil - creating the Pro Guitar sound preview tool
  • Sulfrix
    • For certain Python screenshots
  • SuperRiderTH - porting the updated version of C3 Authoring Tools
  • ThreeAreEss - testing and helping improve the template
  • tposejank - creating and contributing to Encore Vox Preview
  • Many other people whose names are sadly forgotten as of writing this.