4.2 Media Explorer Basics
REAPER's Media Explorer allows you to create your own folders and databases.
Kind: concept (user-guide-section) Chapter: 4 Managing Media: The Media Explorer Source: REAPER User Guide v7.70
REAPER's Media Explorer allows you to create your own folders and databases. Folders and subfolders that you create in REAPER’s media explorer will be real folders, stored in Windows Explorer or Mac Finder. Databases, however, will exist only in the media explorer, and have no purpose outside of REAPER’s media explorer. The media explorer can be used to manage not only audio items (.WAV, .MP3, etc) but also midi files (.MID), automation items (.ReaperAutoItem) and even REAPER project files (.RPP).
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Generally manage Media Explorer
Right click on title bar for menu which includes Dock media explorer in docker, Show action list, and Close window on escape key (see also section 4.11).
Browse thru your folders
Use the Explorer/Navigation panel in conjunction with the main panel. For example, click on My Computer (Windows) or Home (Mac) in the left hand panel, then use the main panel to browse thru and to open your folders.
Create shortcut for any folder
In the main (right hand) panel, right click on folder name and choose Add to shortcut list from menu. Shortcuts are displayed in the left hand panel.
Rename folder shortcut
In the shortcuts (left hand) panel, right click on shortcut, choose Rename shortcut. Type a name and press Enter or click OK .
Reorder shortcuts
Drag and drop shortcut name(s) up or down the list in the shortcuts (left) panel.
Remove shortcut
In the left hand panel, right click on shortcut, choose Remove shortcut.
Create a subfolder on shortcuts list.
Right click on folder name in shortcuts panel. Choose Create subfolder. Type a name then press Enter or click OK.
Copy to subfolder
Drag and drop files from main (right hand) panel.
Select/restrict columns displayed
Right-click on any column header then Show/hide columns for a columns list: tick/untick to select columns. Available fields are Favorite, Mark, File Name, File Size, File Modified Date, File Type, Title, Artist, Album, Track number, Date, Genre, Comment, Description, BPM, Key, Custom Tags, Length, Channels. Sample Rate, Bits/Bitrate, Start Offset, Peak Volume and Loudness. There are actions available to calculate peak volume and loudness statistics. Add user column allows inclusion of other read only metadata or your own text.
The column header context menu includes options to Save, Load and Delete column order presets, and to Restore columns to default order/width.
Column order presets
Change column order
Drag column header, left or right as required, or right-click on column header and use Move column to far left (Ctrl shift click) from context menu.
Click on any header to sort by that column – e.g. File or Size. Click again to reverse the sort order. If Custom tag column is displayed, double-click in this column for any file displayed to edit the custom tag. This can be any plain text that has meaning to you, such as Instrument or Quality. Right-click on any column header for option to Show/hide columns. Drag/drop header left or right to change column order. There are also context menu options to Group favorites on top and/or Group folders on top and to Reset columns to default order/width.
Use search/filter file list
See also the section Using Search Filters for advanced options.
Manage folder/file display
Type text string (e.g. bass) in the filter box (left of the list/details dropdown) to filter file display. Boolean search (AND, OR, NOT) is supported, e.g.:
kick OR snare: for file names that include either kick or snare such as Pop_Dance_Snare 02.wav, Pop_Dance_Kick 05.wav urban AND kick: for file names including both kick and urban such as Urban_Kick 01.wav, Urban_pop_Kick 03.wav but not Kick.wav Use ^, $ and quotes to match start/end/whole word – e.g. ^bass, bass$, “bass“. Delete the text string to remove the filter. Right click on filter box for a field list to limit search to selected field(s).
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Fav / Mark (toggle) Double click in either of these columns to label a file as Fav or Mark.
The Show menu toggles on or off what the media explorer will display:
Restrict file information display options
All files (otherwise only media files such as .wav. , mp3. .mid are shown) Folders and/or File extensions even when file type displayed Leading path or Full paths in databases and searches Toolbar and/or Media information box Path dropdown box and/or Shortcut list Vertical layout (toggle navigation panel above rather than left of files list)
The Search submenu (Options menu) toggles customization features on/off: Search fields (make searchable any or all of: File name, Leading path, Title, Artist, Album, Year, Genre, Comment. Description, BPM, Key, Custom tags). Folder searches (any/all of Search in metadata, Search in subfolders, Include matching folders). Read file metadata is another option.
Restrict search options
Include matching folders (shows sub-folder names in search results) Whether to Update searches only when the ENTER key is pressed.
Add to shortcuts list
Right click on folder name in main panel, choose Add to shortcut list.
Change date format
Right-click on any column header, choose Set date/time format ...
Update search only when Enter key is pressed Clear search when browsing to new folder or database
Other Options, Search toggles
Navigate thru browsing history
Open browsing history dropdown: all folders and directories visited during your current session will be listed. Additionally, the buttons located to the left of this dropdown can be used to move back and forwards thru your browsing history.
Use the second toolbar icon, or the Show, Media information box command. – typically shows length, sample rate, etc. Right click for a context menu.
Show/hide media information box
Manage toolbar
Use toolbar context menu commands to Open or Switch to a different toolbar, or Position toolbar (in media ex, float, dock or close) or Customize it.