How do I overdub in Reaper?

Basically, what I want to do: record a track, and then record something over it so that the new sound is mixed into the already recorded track. (Specifically, I am trying to play polyphonic part with a mono synthesizer by recording several monophonic lines over each other) But I have the following problems: 1) When I record over a track, I don't hear what already exists in this track, I hear only what I'm recording. 2) After I finish recording, Reaper creates a new take on that track and I am able to select only one take to be active, so I cannot hear them all together. Is there a solution?

Hi WD, Welcome to the forums! Well, I know, this isn't what you asked, but why don't you record every voice on a separate track and mix them together afterwards. This gives you the ability to make changes at a later point if you f.i. discover having recorded four voices and with the second one there's something wrong? The way you want to do it, you had to record all except the first once again. You can hear all takes BTW if you right-click the item and choose "Item Properties" from the menu. In the "Media Item Properties"-window you can tick "Play all takes". HTH -Data

This would be my suggestion too. Make a bunch of tracks, put them in a folder, put your synth on the folder track, and then record each part. When you're done, you can drag them all to the synth track and dump the other tracks.

... or you set the track 'free item positioning enabled' from it's rightclick menue. Then you can freely add layers. Also, set the track monitoring mode to 'monitor track media when recording'.

Hi, I'm a total dumbo and can't work out how to do this and it's one of the main things I'd love to be able to do in Reaper (at the moment I use either Ambiloop or my POD on infinite delay to record layered loops) I've done the following: - Set track to monitor track media when recording - Enabled free item positioning for the track (but don't really understand why this is relevant) ... main issue is that I can't hear what has been recorded before, so it's not really 'live' overdubbing. I'd really like to be able to do this on a single track rather than via using folders. Would someone be able to upload a template for me? or be willing to slowly/painfully explain what to do and why it's being done? Thanks!