Do we have an all-purpose Reason thread yet?

yyyyyyeeeeessssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

::aphexgrin.jpg::

Shit, I forget we don't have emoticons on this forum sometimes.

still right there with you even with lack of emoticons

Be prepared to lose a couple hours of your life trying to get it all worked out again. Don't try to use it on a bus or anything as you will miss your stop. It's really annoying, all the buttons being so small and trying to resize to get from the 303s to the 808. You'll just spend hours hunched over it going "SQUELCH" in tiny motions. It will trigger any latent OCD in the most sane of humans.

so basically it's just like the original Rebirth with more targeted finger cramps?

No, it is actually really stupidly hard to use on an iPhone.

Not that that's gonna stop anyone from trying.

sorry, i know i've heard of it, but what is rebirth? I don't have a copy of it with Reason 4.

http://www.rebirthmuseum.com/

Short form: it was kind of a proto-Reason that was focused on making a virtual/digital version of the 303 and 808.

I think the first music I ever heard from HI DERE was a really nice Rebirth track! I used to use it for drum/bass tracks to record over, but I never had the patience to sit with it and make a whole independent song that actually flowed.

n/a, I have no idea about books, but here are three other things I think might help:

- people here could probably answer a lot of broad questions, like "what's this module for"
- I seem to remember the manual's entries on each piece of gear actually being super-helpful
- if you feel like playing with other people's files, I kinda think that can be useful. the program's so modular that you can honestly take apart what someone else built and see how it works -- just follow the wires from one box to another. in fact, if you were curious about a specific module, or how to do a certain thing, I could actually find or throw together some use of it and send you a file with just that part, along with some notes on what it's doing
- mostly though, one of the nice things about Reason is that you can REALLY mess around with it and just see what works. you know, plug things into each other, connect Matrix patterns to different effects parameters, fiddle with some knobs ... it's really well-built to encourage that.

(geeky sentence: I had such a happy "DUH" moment when I realized what happens if you randomize the curve steps on a Matrix and connect them to the frequency on the envelope filter.)

haha it's like "how to learn Reason" = "press TAB and see where the wires go"

Yeah, echoing the sentiment that although the manual is quite helpful the basics, really the best way to learn Reason is just to muck about with it. A lot of "hrmm, what does that do?" and twiddling some knobs and reconnecting some wires round the back.

The more I use it, the more I realise what an amazing program it is. It's so easy to pick up enough of the basics to knock out passable tracks (hey, I spent the first 6 months or so just writing symphonies on it - because I could) but even 5, 6 years later, I'm still finding new tricks on it.

(Have just read Nabisco's geeky sentence and had mine own "oooh, what does that do?" moment.)

It's just a fluttery stepped filter effect, but I always liked starting songs by randomizing the steps and seeing what kinds of rhythms came out. (Instead of, you know, just opening and closing the filter on 8th notes or something.)

Nothing teribly interesting happened when I tried this Nabisco - I think I must have done it wrong. Youre plugging a module into the envelope filter's freq CV and controlling this on the Matrix Curve CV right?

Oh, it's nothing super-magical, but ... you'll want to do this with a pretty airy-sounding synth pad. Set the filter to a low-pass, and turn the frequency on the front almost all the way down. Turn the sensitivity where you plugged in the matrix all the way up. Maybe adjust the release on the envelope to be a little longer. Maybe a touch of resonance. (And of course don't forget to run the matrix -- I always forget that.) Then randomize the whole length of the pattern. I might be forgetting something else, but I think that should do it.

All it's doing is using the curve on the matrix to open and close the filter frequency -- so if you've turned the front frequency all the way down, that means a high curve step lets all the sound through, and a low one barely lets anything through. Typically you could use that to draw a smooth curve (which would do a filter sweep), or maybe draw in quarter notes (so the filter pulses open on the beat), but if you randomize the pattern, the filter will flutter around to whatever odd rhythm comes out, or glitch around a little.

If that doesn't make sense I could send you a file, but it's really not anything all that special -- I just remember getting really excited when I figured it out.

(Right, I just threw a quick sloppy one together using the Subtractor "Cloud Chamber" pad, playing a major-seventh chord: LP12, filter freq=32, res=22, env=72, v=0, ADSR=0,64,0,127. For unruly glitching, plug the matrix's gate CV into the filter's resonance slot. Maybe it's just me -- there's something about this sound I can just sit and listen to forever.)

Cheers Nabisco - I'll be checking this out this evening.

when I was fiddling around with Reason 3.0 I found the sequencer to be the opposite of user-friendly and the bass matrix was severely limited in effects

anyone agree on the sequence being harsh? or should I have just watched/read more tutorials

have yall seen better sequencers on other programs?

(or whatever the matrix is, it was limiting)

To be honest, I don't use the matrix, I use the Sequencer Widow. And honestly, if 8 octaves in 1/64 notes ain't enough for you, your music is a lot more complex than anything I've ever seen.

What I meant when I said that Reason 3.0 "sequencer" seemed harsh:

I found it very tedious to pencil in notes on the grid (the grid and track layout is what I call the "sequencer").

Also, it was annoying that I had to create multiple tracks for a single synth if I wanted to modify the reverb, delay, or anything else on any given musical meter or note from that same synth.

And there wasn't any fade-in or fade-out (over time) options for reverb, delay, yada-yada-yada (at least from what I gathered).

Furthermore if I wanted to change the synth itself by just modifying the attack a little I would have to create a duplicate synth and modify the attack a little bit. Ideally I would want to be able to change around the attack, decay, yada-yada-yada on one synth a lot, but creating tons of duplicates to do that would be a waste of time. Once again I would like an user-friendly way to adjust the knobs and sliders on any one synth as if a DJ was spinning a knob during a performance. I want to be able to do this without having to create hundreds of duplicate synths.

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/6017/synth.jpg

Also there is no chord presets on the keyboard grid so I had to pencil in notes to make up a chord. If I wanted to play around with chord combination it would be great if there was chord presets (and maybe there is and I didnt know about it?)

Furthermore if I wanted to change the synth itself by just modifying the attack a little I would have to create a duplicate synth and modify the attack a little bit. Ideally I would want to be able to change around the attack, decay, yada-yada-yada on one synth a lot, but creating tons of duplicates to do that would be a waste of time. Once again I would like an user-friendly way to adjust the knobs and sliders on any one synth as if a DJ was spinning a knob during a performance. I want to be able to do this without having to create hundreds of duplicate synths.

whaaaaaaaaaaaat, I don't know about v3.0 but you can totally record envelope/controller changes in reason 4. And iirc you can route any knob on your MIDI controller to any effect on any Reason instrument. I can't imagine this very basic feature not being included in reason 3.

what does record envelope/controller changes mean?

these were the things I desire btw:

1) little timers that are triggered at a set point during a song initiating a slider adjustment or knob twist until the timer runs out.

2) I would like to be able to click on individual meters, notes or chords and be able to change and sound effect

3) I would like a 'sequencer' that lets me punch in chords as opposed to penciling in notes. It would be less time consuming to experiment with chord progressions if there was chord presets

crüt, so maybe Reason can do #1 on my list. If so how easily/effectively?
can it do #2 or #3 on my list?

Is there a sequencer that anyone knows of that can do all this stuff and has lots of bells and whistles on the synths and effects?

If you find it time-consuming to "pencil in the little notes" I'd recommend you get a MIDI keyboard controller. Also, if you get one with knobs on it, you can assign said knobs to pretty much any control on the interface, record your "knob-twiddling" in real time.

I use Reason 3, you can do all of these things except number 3.

In your sequencer window, go to arrange mode. Click the little blue envelope to show the Controller Lane.

Then click the next one over, with the down arrow, and it'll give you all of the programmable options for that instrument.

You can even create a sequencer track for individual effects - just create a new sequencer track and assign it to your reverb or your Scream or whatever. Again, click the blue envelope and you can select *any* of the controllers - either assign them to a MIDI keyboard and twiddle your knobs or use the pencil and line tools to draw the controls in the blue "lane" at the bottom.

Wait, you can do 3 as well, but it's so clumsy I always forget that you can do it.

Create a C chord - C, E, G.

Copy and paste it or just select it.

In the menu, select Edit then Change Events - it'll bring up a little dialogue box where you can transpose said chord - but it just does it in semi-tones, rather than specify "make me a G chord" so you'd have to either know or count how many semitones that is. Clumsy and probably not exactly what you're after, but it might make things easier if you don't have a MIDI keyboard to just play new chords in.

But if you want to just type in chord names and have the thing play them, you should probably use something like GarageBand and browse loops instead of a full sequencer like Reason.

If you find it time-consuming to "pencil in the little notes" I'd recommend you get a MIDI keyboard controller. Also, if you get one with knobs on it, you can assign said knobs to pretty much any control on the interface, record your "knob-twiddling" in real time.

^^^^ OTM.

^^^ this (actually using a MIDI keyboard to enter notes right now, although I'm using REAPER)

Lorax, it seems like you might appreciate using a VST host to run Chordspace -- it's a plugin that lays out every chord variation in a give key and outputs MIDI when you push the button. No plugins in Reason, of course, but if you're really interested in one-button chords ...

But beyond VST plugs like that, I'm not sure what other ways there are going to be of sequencing synths beyond (a) recording with a MIDI instrument, or (b) penciling it into a chart.

This confuses me:

I would like an user-friendly way to adjust the knobs and sliders on any one synth as if a DJ was spinning a knob during a performance.

From version 1.0 on, the simplest way to do this was to record-arm that synth and then just ... spin the knob! (Whether with the mouse or with a MIDI recorder.) I guess Ableton is a little handier with being to immediately assign any controller knob to any parameter, but it's basically the same thing.

I would like to be able to click on individual meters, notes or chords and be able to change and sound effect

If you want to change effects parameters on a rigid/stepped program, the curve on the Matrix can be really handy for that. Otherwise, just record yourself automating a knob on the module (say, a synth), and then you'll see the value for that parameter on the sequencer track. You can then easily go in and pencil in rapid changes on the chart. (Like faster/sharper than you could do with a knob. Although you can also just record your knob automations at a drastically reduced tempo if you want!)

Pretty much any button, knob, or parameter on any Reason module can just be straight-up recorded into that sequencer track. (And by right-clicking on whatever knob, button, or slider it is, you can bring up all the "edit automation" / "clear automation" / etc. options)

(except for things like actually loading new patches)

Thanks all, I've had the sudden urge to try music software again lately. I don't own reason atm I had pirated it at one point a few years ago and I never watched a single training video (like those on youtube) but I saw a bit of an official how to learn reason video I pirated as well.

I'll see if I decide to do Reason or pick some other music software.

yeah maybe try actually paying for it and reading the manual this time before deciding it doesn't suit your needs

people take the piss out of me for using reason. Apparently due to it apparently having an 'inferior' sequencer. Hate the logic one so my mac based music production has to make do. Anyone else come across this view?

i find that kind of sequencer interface infuriating, but who cares? if you can get the results you want, then it's good.

So I have a question about Reason, actually two questions:

Is there a way of affecting the post-effect sound a delay or reverb make? I have this little piano flourish with a long long tail at the end. I want the echo to slowly bend down in pitch, but I can't find a way to do it since Reason is not plug-in oriented. (I'm using Reason 4).

Also - is there an easy way to create a gapper/snipper? I have a noisey ride cymbal played through redrum with a long release that I want to simply pepper my drum patterns with ie. Rather than going "TTTTSSSCCCCHHHHHHHHHhhhhhh" I want it to go "TT_SS_CC_CC_HH_HH_HH_hh_hh" (or variations on this). I have tried using the Matrix to affect a Filter insert, but this isn't really cutting it enough. Anyone got any experience in doing this?

PROBLEM TWO: Various ways of doing that, but here's the first one to mind -- take whatever Redrum slot the cymbal is in and route its output directly into a mixer channel. Use a Matrix to control the level of that mixer channel.

PROBLEM ONE: This is stumping me a little -- I can't think of a "proper" solution offhand. If it's just one flourish, I guess my dirty shortcut solution would be to export it, load it back up in an NN19 sampler, and use the pitch wheel to bend the echo. I think there might be a real solution, though, and next time I've got the program open I'll think on it.

thanks nabisco!

problem two sounds better suited to a wav editer imo

editor

Problem two - if you want it to tt ss hhh hhh in time with the beat, you're better off sidechaining the kick drum to it. (or whatever drum has the accent you want to mute)

is there an easy way to copy and paste an entire section of a song (ie all the instruments/tracks)? I want to double the length of one section.

If your section you are wanting to copy is (say) 16 bars long, move the left marker to the place you want it to repeat and the right marker to 16 bars later. Then you can select "add bars between section" which will create a 16 bar gap and move everything after it along. Then just highlight the entire section in the sequencer window you want to copy and past it into the gap. It's easy enough to select more than one lane at once.

It should be easy enough, but I'm just saying this from memory without reason if front of me at the moment.

Is there a good book or guide to using Reason for the intermediate user? What woudl be really useful is something that has diagrams of setups for things like vocoders, ducking compressors, multi-delays etc...

Not sure about a book, but this site is useful for video tutorials:

http://vimeo.com/user3205543

Go to arrange view (button in the top left of the sequencer window that looks like a layer cake) highlight the whole section you want to copy (you can edit -> group the whole section if you want to be able to grab the whole thing and manipulate it more easily) then copy, put your cursor where you want it to go, then paste.

Is there any way to manually change the colour of groups you have already assigned, rather than just let Reason colour it whatever colour it likes? I find this really irritating, as if you have two groups you want to serve the same function, if you make one tiny edit, it irritatingly changes the colour of the changed group.

Not sure what you're asking there, but I thought if you highlight a chunk of stuff you can right click on it and change the colour? Or is that not the same thing?

There is no right click on a Mac. I'll try various apple-clicks and alt-clicks and see if anything lets me do it.

Irritating that my Reason upgrade arrived in the post this morning, but I can't use it before I enter my licence number, which I can only get on the Propellerheads website, which is currently refusing to load.

Oh, I said I'd buy Record when Reason 5 came out though OMG, jumping straight from Reason 3 to Reason 5 is gonna make my head spin, isn't it?

I have no reason (heh) not to. I have the money. I wants it. I said I'd buy it as a reward for the past 2 months worth of 750days.com monthly challenges. I need to just do it. It will make me so happy. I think. If it frustrates me, I still have the discs for Reason 3 and I can just reinstall that.

Someone kick me and make me do it.

Do eet

Do it! I found the jump from Reason 3 to 4 so rewarding (in fact I found it all "clicked" much quicker as a novice using 4). Plus Record and 5 look amazing!!! And if I had the money, that's what I'd spend it on.

OK, I have just ordered. Having it shipped to work so I don't have to play the "when are they gonna deliver it, do I have to sign for it?" game. Eeeeep, exciterated.

Especially as I am in the middle of working on a song that really needs a lot of vocal treatment and therefore will be perfect for testing Record's capabilities on it.

So jealous! I'm sure you won't be disappointed - get involved Karen! Also wouldn't mind hearing the results.

what do you all use as your Reason controller? I've been using my Novation keyboard which is obviously great to play the keyboard instruments but I've had trouble mapping stuff to the knobs for adjustment, wondering if there's something better I could be using to control effects and percussion

pfff... some old crumby midi controller keyboard with a loose connection. I play keys so badly, I generally just automate as much as poss these days.

so when i have a song i want to pull a sample from, my usual process is to load the song into garageband, cut it down to the part i want to sample, export it as an aif, pull the aif into recycle, set the parameters of the sample, then export it so i can play it in reason.

now all of a sudden garageband isn't properly loading songs in, it says "importing file" or whatever but doesn't actually pull the song in. but i'm wondering if there's better software i should be using or an easier way to cut the song down and then export it as an aif before pulling it into recycle. preferably cheap/free for mac.

What version you using?

looks like Audacity is available for mac. i've used it at work (both for job-related audio editing and to prep a sample for music at home) and it's pretty good/easy/free.

Yeah, I use Audacity for this on my Mac. No problems.

ok cool I've used audacity before

Getting Reason 7 next week!! So excited, I'm booking a day off to play around with it.

All I need now is a copy of Soundforge (I miss Soundforge). That's still the best self-contained audio editor right?

I've been using Reason Essentials for a few years, but I had to reinstall it recently because I had my hard drive replaced. It was working fine for a couple of weeks, but now it's doing this thing where it's trying to stretch all of the tracks to the tempo, even though I'm not using the stated tempo. It makes everything sound choppy and off-beat. I tried hitting disable stretch for the tracks but it doesn't help. Even if I start a new song and record in audio live, it tries automatically to stretch it and it sounds shitty. I can't find a way to universally disable stretch. I feel like since it started out of nowhere I must have accidentally changed a setting but I'm not sure what setting it would be. Any ideas?