CONVERT RX2 TO WAV (BATCH PROCESSING)
I used Reaper v4.261 to successfully convert a number of .rx2 files to .wav files
A trial version can be downloaded from http://www.reaper.fm/
Once installed, Go to:
File Batch File/Item converter
[Short cut: Ctrl+Shift+F]
A window will pop up – You need to add the files you want to convert into that window by clicking on the “Add” button and clicking “Add Files”.
Highlight the ones you want…
e.g. C:\Cakewalk Content\Audio Library\Loops\Loopmasters\BREAKS DRUM N BASS\DANNY BYRD\REXFILE1.rx2 , REXFILE2.rx2 etc.
If you want to save the file with the same name, leave the box ticked that says “Use source file directory”. You can also leave the Output format as “WAV” and the “Resample mode (if needed)” as Better.
Enter Filename as: “$source” (Other wildcards can be used but this is easiest).
Click “Convert all”
When done, go to your directory where the original rx2 files were kept and open it. Your new .WAV files should be in there. Go ahead and open them up in a wav editor such as Goldwave or a Digital Audio Workstation such as Reason.
WHAT’S A REX FILE/LOOP?
Basically, it’s an audio file that has been “sliced” into 4 or 8 or 16 bar chunks, known as loops. This is usually done with a program called Recycle by Propellerhead Software. This software creates a REX2 (.rx2) file. It’s a way of being able to speed up and slow down an audio file without hearing significant distortion or change in pitch.
I own an older version of the software called Recycle Lite which slices the files as per the latest version but is limited to creating mono loops. This version creates a resulting .rcy file instead of an .rx2 file.
WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO CONVERT BACK TO AUDIO (.wav) FROM A REX FILE/LOOP ?
Some software is able to manipulate audio data easier than it can handle rex loops. An example would be Mixcraft 6.
Mixcraft 6 is a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) where you can create soundtracks using loops of drums, bass guitar, guitars, percussion and so on.
Mixcraft provides you with a library of loops in OGG (Ogg Vorbis) Format. You can load additional loops in this format into the program by dragging and dropping. If you try to do this with a rex file, an error message is generated. Mixcraft works fine with wavs, oggs, and mp3s.
WORKAROUND
If you do not want to convert your loops from RX2 or RCY format to WAV or OGG, there is a workaround. Load UVI Workstation as a VST plugin into a DAW like Mixcraft 6 and load the REX Loops into UVI. They will then happily play alongside standard audio loops you drag and drop onto the tracks. Mixcraft will ask you if you want to change the time signature of the sequencer to that of the loop or vice versa, so you can keep everything at the same tempo. You can also timestretch loops by holding down ctrl and clicking on the right edge of the clip. A pair of hands will come up, and you can stretch or contract the clip between the allocated markers on your track to lock the tempo in time with everything else.
WHERE CAN I GET REX LOOPS?
Loopmasters. If you buy Cakewalk X1 or a Focusrite Saffire USB 6 interface then Loopmasters will provide you with an extensive library of free loops. You can also download Free Loops from esoundz at http://esoundz.com from their freesoundz page http://www.esoundz.com/freesoundz.php. Look out for their RAW PERCUSSION pack.