ReaWallpaper 1.01

ReaWallpaper in action

Add a project-specific image behind the REAPER Arrange view while keeping your tracks, items, waveforms, grid, and editing controls visible.

ReaWallpaper settings window and live wallpaper preview in REAPER
Configure the image, opacity, fit, tint, black and white mode, and item backgrounds with a live preview.
A large REAPER project using a custom Arrange view wallpaper
Use a different wallpaper for every project, including large sessions with many audio and MIDI tracks.

ReaWallpaper is free to use.

ReaWallpaper is an independent third-party extension for REAPER and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cockos, Inc.

ReaWallpaper is proprietary freeware. By downloading it, you agree to the license. Resale and redistribution are prohibited.

Download ReaWallpaper 1.0.1 for free

ReaWallpaper 1.0.1

Choose the build that matches your REAPER installation.

Older versions

ReaWallpaper 1.0.0

Choose the build that matches your REAPER installation.

How to install

Close REAPER before copying or replacing a plugin file.

Compatibility note: Windows 10 has not yet been tested. A macOS port is not currently available because I do not have access to a Mac for development and testing.

Windows 11

Available
  1. Download the Windows 11 build that matches your REAPER installation.
  2. Extract the ZIP archive.
  3. Copy reaper_reawallpaper.dll to %APPDATA%\REAPER\UserPlugins\.
  4. Restart REAPER, then open Extensions → ReaWallpaper → Settings…

Finding %APPDATA%: Press Windows + R, type %APPDATA%, then press Enter. File Explorer opens the Roaming folder; from there, open REAPER\UserPlugins.

Use the x64 or x86 build that matches your REAPER installation.

Linux

Available
  1. Download the x86_64 or i686 build that matches your REAPER installation.
  2. Extract the ZIP archive.
  3. Copy reaper_reawallpaper.so to ~/.config/REAPER/UserPlugins/. If you use XDG_CONFIG_HOME, copy it to $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/REAPER/UserPlugins/ instead.
  4. Restart REAPER, then open Extensions → ReaWallpaper → Settings…

GdkPixbuf must be installed. It is already present on most Linux desktop systems.

Documentation

ReaWallpaper gives each REAPER project its own configurable background image. Windows 11 and Linux provide the same project settings and menu actions.

Features and controls

  • Project-specific wallpaper The selected image and settings belong to the current project. Open another project to use a different wallpaper configuration.
  • Image selection Open Extensions → ReaWallpaper → Settings…, then use Browse… to choose a JPG, JPEG, PNG, or BMP image.
  • Enable or disable Use Enable wallpaper in Settings, or the Enable / Disable command in the Extensions menu, to toggle the wallpaper without removing its configuration.
  • Opacity Adjust the wallpaper from 0% to 100%. Reset to 35% restores the default opacity.
  • Image fit Cover fills the Arrange view and may crop the image. Contain displays the complete image with possible margins. Stretch fills the view without preserving the image aspect ratio.
  • Tint and black & white Open Tint settings… to choose a color and strength. Black & white can be used alone or combined with a tint for a colorized monochrome result.
  • Audio and MIDI item backgrounds Open Item backgrounds… to control audio and MIDI backgrounds separately. At 0% they keep their native appearance; at higher values their flat background blends with the wallpaper while waveforms, MIDI notes, labels, fades, and borders remain visible.
  • Live preview and automatic saving Settings shows a preview using the current Arrange proportions. Changes are saved to the current project as you make them.
  • Quick actions The Extensions menu also provides Choose wallpaper… and Remove wallpaper. Remove clears the ReaWallpaper configuration from the current project.

Using ReaWallpaper on Windows 11

  1. Install the x64 or x86 DLL that matches your REAPER installation.
  2. Restart REAPER.
  3. Open a project and choose Extensions → ReaWallpaper → Settings…
  4. Choose an image, then adjust its opacity, fit, tint, and item backgrounds.
  5. Save the REAPER project to preserve the configuration.

Using ReaWallpaper on Linux

  1. Install the x86_64 or i686 SO that matches your REAPER installation.
  2. Make sure GdkPixbuf is installed, then restart REAPER.
  3. Open a project and choose Extensions → ReaWallpaper → Settings…
  4. Choose an image, then adjust the same controls available on Windows 11.
  5. Save the REAPER project to preserve the configuration.

Project files and troubleshooting

  • REAPER stores the image path and ReaWallpaper settings in the project; it does not embed the image itself. Keep the image available at the same location when reopening the project.
  • If the wallpaper does not appear after installation, verify that the plugin architecture matches REAPER, that it is in the correct UserPlugins directory, and that REAPER was restarted.
  • If an image was moved or deleted, open Settings and choose it again.
  • REAPER themes can use very different colors. If a theme produces an unexpected result, please report the theme name and include a screenshot.

Changelog

Read the release notes for each published version.

Version 1.0.1 Windows rendering fixes · Read release notes → Version 1.0.0 Initial release · Read release notes →

Support ReaWallpaper

If you find it useful, you can support its development.

€
Minimum €1