A ready-to-use
audio workstation on Linux.
REAPER OS is a complete Linux distribution based on Debian 13 (Trixie), built exclusively for professional music production. REAPER DAW as the system shell, JACK audio under 6 ms of latency, full support for 100+ audio interfaces (RME, UAD, Focusrite, MOTU...), Wine/Proton emulation for your Windows VST plugins, and 38+ diagnostic tools. All-in-one offline ISO or minimal online ISO — pick your workflow.
sudo dd if=reaper-os-*.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress
REAPER OS in numbers
A complete, tested and documented distribution.
Key features
Everything you need to make music, ready out of the box.
REAPER as the main interface
Launches automatically at boot. Used as the system shell with Dolphin integrated.
100% Windows VST
Two methods: direct Wine/Proton (3-5ms) or isolated AudioGridder (1-3ms). All your favorite plugins.
100+ audio interfaces
Automatic detection for RME, UAD, Focusrite, Behringer, MOTU, PreSonus, Roland, etc.
Every control protocol
MCU, Eucon, HUI, OSC, Generic MIDI, MIDI Learn, Keyboard — full compatibility.
Professional audio stack
JACK server <6ms, optional PREEMPT_RT kernel, absolute audio priority.
38+ management tools
Diagnostics, audio configuration, controller testing, VST management, backup, and more.
Audio stack
An audio workflow optimized from input to output.
Supported control protocols
| Protocol | Controllers | Latency | Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCU | Behringer X-Touch, Mackie, Soundcraft | <1ms | ✅ Native |
| Eucon | Avid S3/S4/S6, Euphonix | <1ms | ✅ Native |
| HUI | Mackie HUI, Behringer FCB1010 | <1ms | ✅ MIDI Learn |
| OSC | iPad (Lemur), Mobile, Network | 5-50ms | ✅ Native |
| Generic MIDI | All MIDI controllers | <1ms | ✅ Native |
| Keyboard | USB/Bluetooth keyboard | Instant | ✅ Native |
Simple installation
Pick the variant that suits you.
Offline ISO
Everything ships in the ISO — REAPER, Wine, tools, docs, drivers. No network connection needed.
Online ISO
Minimal ISO + package download at first boot. Smaller, requires an Internet connection.
Quick install
# 1. Create a bootable USB drive sudo dd if=reaper-os-*.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress # 2. Boot from the USB drive # 3. Follow the installer (language, locale, disk) # 4. REAPER OS starts automatically after installation
Technical specifications
System requirements and distribution details.
Included audio packages
Recommended hardware
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 4 cores @ 2.0 GHz | 8+ cores @ 3.5 GHz |
| RAM | 4 GB DDR4 | 16 GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 20 GB HDD | 60 GB NVMe SSD |
| Network | Optional | Gigabit Ethernet |
| Audio | Built-in sound card | External audio interface (RME, UAD, Focusrite...) |
| GPU | Integrated Intel/AMD | Dedicated graphics card (optional) |
Included tools
38+ tools to diagnose, configure and optimize your studio.
Full documentation
40+ documents organized by category — click to display the content.
📚 REAPER OS documentation
Select a document in the left-hand menu to display its content.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about REAPER OS.
Is REAPER OS free?
The OS is entirely free and open source (GPL v3). REAPER DAW requires a license ($60 / $225), but runs in evaluation mode without limitation. Everything else is free software.
Will my Windows VST plugins work?
Yes. REAPER OS ships with Wine + yabridge preconfigured. Two methods: direct execution (3-5ms of latency) or isolated AudioGridder (1-3ms). Most Windows VST2/VST3 plugins are compatible.
How do I dual-boot REAPER OS with Windows?
The installer automatically detects Windows and offers dual-boot. Shrink your Windows partition first, then let the installer create the required Linux partitions.
Can I use my usual audio interface?
Very likely. REAPER OS supports 100+ audio interfaces: RME (Fireface, Babyface), UAD (Apollo), Focusrite (Scarlett, Clarett), MOTU, PreSonus, Behringer, Roland... Detection is automatic.
What is the difference between the Offline and Online ISO?
The Offline ISO (~20 GB) contains everything: REAPER, Wine, plugins, tools. The Online ISO (~3 GB) is a minimal installer that downloads packages at first boot. Offline is recommended for installing without Internet.
How do I update REAPER OS?
Through the standard Debian package manager: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade.
Major updates are announced on the project's GitHub. The included package-manager
tool makes managing audio packages easier.
Which control surfaces are compatible?
All major protocols: MCU (Behringer X-Touch), Eucon (Avid S3/S6), HUI (Mackie), OSC
(iPad/tablets), Generic MIDI and keyboard control. Automatic setup via
test-controllers.
Is REAPER OS beginner-friendly?
Yes. The built-in getting-started guide and 25+ documentation files walk you through step by step. The REAPER interface is preconfigured with professional, ready-to-use templates.