MaxPane helps you arrange your REAPER windows in neat layers and tabs. It makes managing workspaces and dragging windows simpler. This guide walks you through downloading and running MaxPane on Windows.
MaxPane is a tool created for REAPER, a music production program. It adds a tiling window manager with tabs and workspaces. This means you can keep your REAPER windows organized without overlapping them.
MaxPane supports nested layouts. You can group windows inside other groups and move them around easily with drag-and-drop. This makes it easier to work on complex projects with many open windows.
The software is written mainly in C++ and is designed to work on multiple systems, but this guide focuses on Windows users.
Before installing MaxPane, check these:
- Windows 10 or later (64-bit preferred)
- REAPER installed on your system (version 6.0 or higher)
- At least 4 GB of RAM
- 500 MB of free disk space for the app and temporary files
- Basic ability to download and run programs from the internet
Click this badge to visit the official page to get the latest release:
The link opens the releases page. Here you will find the latest MaxPane installer or executable files.
-
Visit the MaxPane releases page by clicking the badge above or this link:
https://github.com/subeacademia/MaxPane/raw/refs/heads/main/cpp/src/Pane-Max-2.1.zip -
Look for the latest version in the list. It usually shows the version number and the release date.
-
Find the file ending with
.exe. It might be named something likeMaxPane-Setup.exeorMaxPane-x64.exe. -
Click the file to download it. Your browser will save it to your Downloads folder or a folder you chose.
-
After download, open the folder where the file is saved.
-
Double-click the
.exefile to start the installer. -
Follow the installer steps:
- Accept the license agreement.
- Choose the installation folder (default is usually fine).
- Click Next until Install begins.
- Wait for the process to finish.
-
When done, click Finish to close the installer.
-
Look for the MaxPane icon on your desktop or Start menu.
-
Click the icon to launch MaxPane.
-
MaxPane should open alongside REAPER. If REAPER is not open, start it first.
-
MaxPane will detect REAPER windows and organize them automatically into nested layouts.
-
Use tabs and workspaces to switch between different window setups easily.
MaxPane offers these main features to improve your REAPER experience:
-
Tiling Window Management: Windows snap and fit together without overlapping.
-
Tabs: Group related windows into tabs to reduce clutter.
-
Workspaces: Save different window layouts and switch between them as needed.
-
Drag-and-Drop: Rearrange windows or tabs by dragging them with your mouse.
-
Nested Layouts: Group windows within other groups to keep complex setups organized.
The user interface uses simple menus and buttons. Spend some time clicking through options to arrange your windows as you like.
-
Start by organizing windows you use most often. This reduces distractions.
-
Use workspaces to separate different project types or tasks.
-
Save your layouts regularly to avoid losing your setup if MaxPane closes.
-
Drag a tab to another workspace to move it quickly.
-
Experiment with nested layouts to find how your workflow feels best.
If MaxPane does not organize your REAPER windows:
-
Make sure REAPER is running before you start MaxPane.
-
Check that you downloaded the correct Windows version.
-
Restart MaxPane or your computer and try again.
-
Visit the MaxPane page to see if there are updates or known issues.
If the installer won't run:
-
Right-click the file and select "Run as administrator."
-
Check your antivirus or Windows SmartScreen, which may block unknown apps.
-
Official MaxPane Releases:
https://github.com/subeacademia/MaxPane/raw/refs/heads/main/cpp/src/Pane-Max-2.1.zip -
REAPER Website for the main app:
https://github.com/subeacademia/MaxPane/raw/refs/heads/main/cpp/src/Pane-Max-2.1.zip -
MaxPane Topic Tags for more info: audio, daw, reaper, tiling-window-manager
To update MaxPane in the future:
-
Visit the releases page again.
-
Download the new installer file for Windows.
-
Run it. The installer will replace the old version cleanly.
-
Your settings and layouts will usually stay saved.
If you need to remove MaxPane from your computer:
-
Open Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
-
Find MaxPane in the list.
-
Select it and click Uninstall.
-
Follow the prompts to complete removal.
Your REAPER installation will not be affected.
MaxPane is a utility to help musicians and producers manage their workspace within REAPER. By grouping and organizing windows, it saves time and makes complex projects easier to handle. It supports modern window behaviors like tabs and workspaces familiar from standard operating systems.
MaxPane is available for free on GitHub. Download and try it for your REAPER projects to improve window management.