— Tutorials · REAPER

arna in
reaper.

How to install Arna VST3, route it, and automate it inside REAPER on macOS. The plugin behaves cleanly inside REAPER's FX chain — no special tricks required.

  1. install the vst3 bundle

    Move the Arna1snob.vst3 bundle into ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/. Always rm -rf the old bundle first — REAPER caches loaded plugins until the FX window is closed.

  2. force a vst3 rescan

    In REAPER: Preferences → Plug-ins → VST → Re-scan. If Arna still doesn't appear, close the FX chain entirely (hit OK), reopen it, and the new bundle loads.

  3. insert arna on the track fx chain

    Click the FX button on the track header. Search 'Arna' or browse VST3 → 1snob → Arna1snob. The plugin opens at k = 0.30 (Room).

  4. show the parameter envelope

    Right-click the Knob inside Arna and choose 'Show track envelope' (or use the Trim button on the track header → Envelopes → Arna1snob → Knob). Draw your automation directly on the timeline.

  5. use the fx bus pattern (full edition)

    Create a destination FX bus, route sends from each track at -∞, then turn up the send when you want the room. Set Mix to 100% on the bus instance so the dry path is silent — your sends become the wet level.

— REAPER-specific notes

things only reaper users care about.

  • Hot-reload: REAPER caches a loaded plugin until the FX window is closed. On every rebuild, close the chain (OK) and reopen it.
  • Parameter modulation:click the Param button on Arna's knob → MIDI Learn or LFO/audio control → set the rate. REAPER's native modulation works perfectly — no manual smoothing needed.
  • FX chain order: place Arna after compression and EQ on a vocal so the brain analyses the post-processed signal.
  • Render-in-place: Arna processes offline at any sample rate, including non-realtime renders.
  • Track templates: save a track template with Arna pre-routed for repeat workflows (Vocal Bus → Compressor → EQ → Arna).

Install Arna → · Other DAW tutorials →