PORTLAND BEDROOM – Premium REAPER Recording Template
A fully-mixed REAPER template that gives you that bedroom 4-track feel without sacrificing clarity.
Portland Bedroom is a premium plug-in version of my lo-fi REAPER recording template — built for musicians chasing warmth, intimacy, and classic 4-track energy with more mix-ready fidelity. This is calibrated for character: slow tape, narrow stereo, midrange-forward, and reverb as an afterthought.
Think Elliott Smith’s “Either/Or”, not Frusciante’s Niandra Lades — tape warmth, not chaos.
The Channel FX are listed here, so you know what premium plugins you'll need.
WHAT IT’S BUILT WITH
Waves: J37, REDD, RS124, PuigChild, Plates, Chambers, ADT, TG Mastering Chain
Softube: Trident A-Range EQ
PSP: VintageWarmer2 (Multi mode)
Sonimus: Satson console
REAPER: Routing, channel structure, light EQ as needed
Stock FX take a backseat to colorful, premium tools.
TRACK STRUCTURE
Drums (Stereo): Satson > J37 → subtle verbs
Bass (DI): Satson > J37 → no reverb
Electric Guitars (Rhythm/Lead): J37 + tailored reverb sends
Keys (Stereo): Mild tape, stereo narrow
Lead Vocal: REDD > RS124 > J37 → Plate + ADT
Backing Vocals: J37 → Plate + ADT for blend
FX BUS OVERVIEW
All FX buses use premium plugins — no stock reverb, delay, or saturation.
- Abbey Road Plates
- Abbey Road Chambers
- Abbey Road ADT
- J37 delay
- Dedicated saturation and slap delay buses
MASTER CHAIN
- PSP VintageWarmer2 – tape glue
- Waves TG Mastering Chain – gentle compression and EQ
- Softube Trident – midrange enhancement
- LoudMax– ceiling and peak control (free to download)
Targets natural dynamics and comfortable headroom.
⚠️ GAIN STAGING
Before you mix, reduce “hot” audio item gain by -3 dB. This is critical.
Without proper trimming:
- Compressors will choke
- Saturators will break up
- The whole signal path will underperform
The included PDF explains the flow and what to watch for. This is a tape-inspired template, so it wants that headroom.
WHY THIS WORKS
This isn't lo-fi for the sake of aesthetic. It's built around actual analog modeling behavior:
- 7.5 IPS tape speed
- Hiss, wow and flutter
- Realistic small-room verbs (Abbey Road plates and chambers)
- Vocal treatment designed around REDD and RS124
- FX buses and master chain built for warmth and space
- Natural dynamics with comfortable headroom
Gain staging and headroom are intentional. This system plays well, and nothing sounds overly boomy or slammed.
WANT MORE?
We have several REAPER templates- free and paid- on the shop page. Expansions are planned. They take time to put together, but are worth the wait.
CUSTOMER SUPPORT & TERMS
Customer Care: Your creative journey matters. We're here to help with any questions or concerns about our products.
Compatibility: REAPER 5.0 or later required. All stock plugins included with REAPER.
©2025 Drew Gold Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use: 100% royalty-free, but redistribution or bundling with third-party products is prohibited.
*We are not affiliated with, nor are we endorsed in any way by COCKOS, WAVES, Softube, or any of their employees or subsidiaries.
An intimate, lo-fi 4-track-inspired REAPER template — midrange warmth, analog wobble, bedroom-sized verbs, and a tape-saturated vocal chain. Built for premium plugin users who want that Elliott Smith/early Saddle Creek vibe, but with focused, usable fidelity.