About
Ultraschall reimagines REAPER, one of the most powerful and affordable digital audio workstations, as a dedicated podcasting studio. Where REAPER ships with dozens of music-production presets that are ill-suited for podcasters, Ultraschall replaces all of that with a clean, minimalist interface organized around three core podcast phases: Preparation, Recording, and Post-production, with switchable views for each stage. The tool includes deep StudioLink integration so remote guests sound like they're in the same room, multi-track recording that gives every speaker and participant their own dedicated track, and a fully software-based N-1 (mix-minus) routing system that lets external Skype or Mumble guests hear the full mix without echo — no additional hardware required. The custom 'HUB' sound driver replaces legacy tools like Soundflower with a modern, stable macOS audio routing solution built on the latest platform APIs. Additional highlights include a color picker for fast track organization, a routing matrix (Kreuzschiene) for managing complex setups with a single click, and pre-built routing presets that function like a digital mixing console during live sessions. Ultraschall is completely free and open-source, maintained by an active community, and requires only a low-cost REAPER license (~€65). It is ideal for solo podcasters, co-hosted shows, panel recordings, and remote interview setups demanding broadcast-quality audio.
Key Features
- StudioLink Integration: Built-in StudioLink plugin enables high-quality remote guest recordings over the internet, making remote participants sound like they're in the same room.
- Multi-Track Recording: Every speaker, remote guest, and audio insert gets a dedicated track, providing maximum flexibility and control during post-production editing.
- Software N-1 Audio Routing: A fully software-based N-1 (mix-minus) setup allows Skype or Mumble participants to hear everyone else without echo or feedback — no extra hardware or cables needed.
- Custom HUB Sound Driver: Replaces legacy tools like Soundflower with a modern, stable audio routing driver built on the latest macOS audio APIs for reliable complex routing scenarios.
- Podcast-Oriented Workflow UI: Three switchable views (Preparation, Recording, Post-production), one-click routing presets, and a track color picker keep even complex sessions organized and efficient.
Use Cases
- Solo podcasters who want a professional, clutter-free recording environment optimized for their workflow rather than music production.
- Co-hosted shows that need separate, individually editable tracks for each host and seamless integration of remote guests via StudioLink.
- Live podcast recordings or panel discussions requiring real-time management of multiple microphones and instant routing preset switching.
- Post-production editing of podcast episodes with per-track controls, color-coded organization, and structured export preparation.
- Remote interview-style podcasts demanding high-quality N-1 audio routing and stable internet-based recording with guests from around the world.
Pros
- Free and Open Source: Ultraschall itself costs nothing and is community-maintained on GitHub, with the only required expense being a low-cost REAPER license (~€65).
- Purpose-Built for Podcasting: Every UI decision and feature is tailored to the podcast workflow, eliminating the clutter and mismatched defaults of generic music-production software.
- Best-in-Class Remote Recording: StudioLink and N-1 routing make Ultraschall one of the strongest solutions for podcasts with remote guests, delivering broadcast-quality audio without hardware mixers.
- Active, Engaged Community: Backed by an enthusiastic podcasting community with regular updates, tutorials, and a forum ensuring long-term support and continuous improvement.
Cons
- Requires a REAPER License: While Ultraschall is free, users must separately purchase a REAPER license (~€65), which adds an upfront cost before getting started.
- Learning Curve for DAW Newcomers: Despite its streamlined design, users with no prior DAW experience may find initial setup and configuration challenging without working through the tutorials.
- Primarily German-Language Resources: A large portion of the official documentation, tutorials, and community discussions are in German, which may create a barrier for non-German-speaking users.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ultraschall?
Ultraschall is a free, open-source extension and theme for the REAPER digital audio workstation that reconfigures it specifically for podcast recording and production, replacing music-centric defaults with a podcaster-friendly workflow.
Do I need to buy REAPER to use Ultraschall?
Yes. Ultraschall runs on top of REAPER, which requires a license that costs approximately €65 for personal use. Ultraschall itself is completely free and open-source.
What operating systems does Ultraschall support?
Ultraschall's custom HUB audio driver is built for macOS, making it the primary supported platform. Since REAPER itself is cross-platform, Ultraschall also runs on Windows, though macOS users get the fullest feature set.
Can I record with remote guests using Ultraschall?
Absolutely. Ultraschall includes built-in StudioLink integration for high-quality internet-based recording and a software N-1 routing setup for Skype or Mumble guests, all without requiring any additional hardware.
Is Ultraschall suitable for beginner podcasters?
Ultraschall significantly simplifies REAPER for podcasting use cases, but some comfort with audio software is helpful. The project offers tutorials, a manual, and a community forum to help new users get up and running.
