I want a template that is good for most general multi track recording that has everything already gain staged. I know I need to tweak it when tracking but is there just a 'one size fits all' gain staged template I can download?
I just want to minimise the set up of a new reaper project (havent recorded anything in 3 years and forgotton how reaper works so looking to cut corners lol!)
Almost all of your gain staging, while recording, is coming from whatever external gear is connected, including the source being recorded.
Your computer's soundcard/interface will have its own software to deal with gain settings at that entry and exit point. About the only settings you can preset in Reaper for live recording would be your input level, which should be able to be set to its default settings almost all the time...... and your output level, which can be pulled back from its nominal setting a few dB - 6, maybe 10dB just to give yourself some headroom before the output to your speakers and that's for listening preference, not to prevent distortion at the input. But the critical input levels to keep from clipping the recording being made are really almost entirely external.