Q: How do I record audio in REASON?
A: You can’t! REASON can only record MIDI information. If you want to record audio you’ll need to use another program such as Pro Tools, Cubase, SONAR, Logic or Ableton LIVE to name a few.
Q: What is The Combinator?
A: The Combinator is a special device that allows you to create a group of instruments or effects or instruments going through effects or any “combination” of those things and save that “combination” as a “patch” or recallable “preset”. Additionally, the Combinator provides you with simple control knobs and buttons that you can set to control any parameter on any instrument or effect that is “INSIDE” the Combinator. Clear as mud?
To understand the Combinator you should experiment with it! Go ahead and create a Combinator and then open up a Combinator patch by clicking on the Envelope icon and browse for something that looks interesting. TIP: To really understand what’s going on in a Combinator patch, remember
to hit the TAB key to flip your rack around and see what’s REALLY going on.
Q: Why is the sound coming out of my computer speakers and not out of my Audio Interface?
A: Sometimes REASON “just looks” for an available audio interface. Almost all computers come with a “built in soundcard” and when you hear audio from REASON coming out of your computer’s built in speakers (such as on a laptop) instead of your audio interface, REASON
has been set to use this built in sound.
To set the audio output to your external interface…
On a PC, go to the EDIT MENU in Reason and click on PREFERENCES from the dropdown menu.
Now, from the “PAGE” selection click on the dropdown menu and choose AUDIO from the list.
In the Audio Page, choose the ASIO version of your audio interface driver from the dropdown list in the “Audio Card Driver” menu.
On a MAC, this is virtually the same except that the PREFERENCES item is in the REASON menu.
Q: What is Dr. REX and what are REX loops?
A: Dr.REX is a software instrument within REASON that plays loops. Not just any loops though… It plays what are called REX loops. REX is a file format invented by Propellerhead, the company
that makes REASON. REX files are actually a collection of tiny “slices” of a loop. Because they are “slices” their tempo can be changed easily. So, any REX file that is loaded into Dr.REX will play at
any tempo that REASON is set to. You can do lots of other things with Dr. REX such as wild filter
sweeps that can be automated for great effects.
NOTE: to make your own REX files you will need
another program from Propellerhead called RECYCLE.
Q: What is the MATRIX and what is it for?
A: The MATRIX PATTERN SEQUENCER is a very simple monophonic sequencer. It is based on “old school” analog sequencers that were around before we could do all this stuff with computers.
The best way to understand it is to just try it! If you create an instrument in REASON such as a
SUBTRACTOR and then create a MATRIX PATTERN SEQUENCER below the SUBTRACTOR, the MATRIX will automatically connect itself to the SUBTRACTOR. Hit play and experiment! Remember, the MATRIX is “monophonic”… IE: Only one note at a time. Try it and you will see it’s an easy way to create very “TECHNO” sounding patterns.
Q: What is REWIRE?
A: REWIRE is a system created by Propellerhead, the company that makes REASON. It provides a way for different applications to “talk” to each other. For example, you can have a program like Cubase, Sonar, Logic or Pro Tools running at the SAME TIME as REASON. Using REWIRE you can connect the audio outputs (up 64 channels!) of REASON directly into the mixer of your “HOST” application.
But, that’s just the beginning… You can play any instrument loaded into REASON via MIDI from your HOST application too! Also remember that any thing you do in REASON will be perfectly in sync with your HOST application… No muss, No fuss! REWIRE is one of things that makes REASON so great and so useable. |
