That was a superb review. thank you very much. I think I will be trying it out!
I guess I am in for a very long learning process though... still, thats half the fun. thanks again, Matt ----- Original Message ----- From: "Andy Abang" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Drum & Bass Arena Discussion List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2003 7:40 PM Subject: [dnb-prod] RE: Matthew Johnson's Reason Review Request > Reason is a studio package although somewhat incomplete. > > It has an arrangement window and is set up like rack hardware. you create > modules on an empty (and indefinite) virtual rack. Both rack space and > number of modules you can create are unlimited, depending solely on the > processing power of your CPU. using the tab key, you toggle between views of > the front and rear of this virutal rack. the rear view is just like looking > at the back of the rack. you use virtual cables to hook up your modules. > > The modules available as of the release of Reason v2.0 are: > > 14 channel mixer - 14 channels, 1 master volume, 4 aux sends that you can > attach FX processors to and apply via the aux returns on the front of the > mixer. Each channel on the mixer can be muted, solo'ed, and EQ'ed (hi and > low control only unfortunately. i'd like a midrange control, but ehhhh, > whatever!). > > Redrum drum computer - has 10 channels available for you to load drum > samples. each channel has controllers for mute, solo, panning, velocity, > volume, pitch, tone, etc. some channels have controllers for additional > functions but i can't remember them because i'm stoned right now. Has an > accent control where you can specify hard, medium, or soft hits for the > samples you've loaded. Comes with a 16 step sequencer. You can program loops > up to 64steps. There are 4 banks, each with 8 empty loops for you to > program. so each drum computer can hold up to 32 64-step loops. You can > either set loop parameters in your Sequencer window and export the loop as > an audio file, or you can write the midi to your sequencer track using the > "copy pattern to track" function. The shitty thing is you can only write out > a sequence one sample at a time. If you don't mind that, the rest of the > module is well thought-out enough. > > a tip from me to you: if you want to try reason, I'd highly suggest hooking > up each channel on your drum machine to its own channel on the mixer instead > of connecting the whole module to a single channel on the mixer by way of > the master output. This way you can apply FX to each sample subjectively and > have much more control over levels. > > Dr. Rex loop player - loads Rex files (recycle) in slices that you can write > out into your Sequencer. (see below where i talk about additional views in > the Sequencer window.) Has fader controls for filtering and envelope. Also > has knobs for pitch and other shit. > > Matrix pattern sequencer - You don't really need to use these, but it's got > something like a 5 octave range for you to sequence melodies (like the drum > computer, it can hold up to 32 64-step loops). Velocity for each hit is > adjustable. You can copy patterns to the Sequencer just as you would with > the drum computer. Has gate and curve control ability on the rear of module. > This is a helpful module if you hate having to write a lot of shit out in > the Sequencer. > > Subtractor analog synthesizer - has 2 oscillators, each with a variety of > preset wave shapes as a starting point for synthesis. Other features include > ring modulation, 2 filters (which can be linked) w/ res settings, master > volume, filter envelope, modulation envelope, 2 LFOs with controllable rate, > amount, choice of effects (fm, osc 1&2, osc 1, phase, etc.), a noise-adding > function (amount, color, & frequency), mod wheel, pitch bend wheel with > adjustable range, etc. > > Malstrom graintable synthesizer - has 2 oscillaters. THIS IS MY FAVORITE > MODULE right now. perfect for pads, melodic elements, ambience, bass, > WHATEVER. IT'S ILL SHIT. this module is broken out into sections that can be > linked together. there are 2 filters, a pitch bend wheel (again with > adjustable range), an amp envelope, etc. Volume knob has spread control. > > NN-19 digital sampler - not actually a sampler or meant for use with > editing. this is merely a playback tool. Root key, pitch, fine tuning, > octave, and semitone control are available. Also an amp envelope, a filter > which can be set to notch, hi, band, low pass 12 or low pass 24. Pitch bend > wheel, mod wheel also appear on the sampler. > > NNXT advanced sampler - to be honest this looks really cool, but i haven't > the slightest clue what the fuck to do with it or where to start. if anyone > can offer a tutorial on the NNXT advanced sampler PLEASE post it and i'll > love you forever. or at least momentarily. > > FX processors available: > > Compressor/limiter - has Ratio, threshold, and envelope settings. It sounds > okay, Logic's built-in compressor sounds WAY better though. > > Reverb - can sound very rich. settings are: Hall, Hall 2, large hall, large > room, medium room, small room, low density, stereo echoes, gate, and i think > there's one that pans the signal too. size, damping, and dry/wet controls > available. > > Delay - reason's delay seems a little more lively than some other programs, > you just have to use it right or whatever. You can choose step delay in 1/16 > or 1/8, select the number of delays, and then adjust how many mS apart the > delays will hit. > > Envelope Filter - has knobs for frequency, resonance, and a couple other > things on the left side of the filter module - then a switch for you to > select band pass, low pass 12, or low pass 24, and to the right you have > controls for the envelope (attack, decay, sustain, release.). > > Foldback Distortion - has an amount setting and a frequency setting (at > least i think the second one is a frequency setting. anyway...). you can get > some real grit or a nice clean light distortion. > > 2-band parametric EQ - it's a 2 band parametric EQ. plain and simple. you > see the results of adjustments you make in the display. actually a very > effective EQ. > > Chorus/Flanger - Adjustable Frequency, Rate, Mod amount, and feedback. When > applied the effect sounds nice and full IMO. REALLY nice for bass synth. > > Phaser - You can adjust frequency, split, width, feedback, resonance, depth, > etc. I like the phaser best when you just apply a touch (listen to my tune > "Stasis" below if you want to see what i mean, the tune gets a bit > repetitive honestly i know but I was really happy with the bass sound and > the combination of phasing, distortion, and flange that I used for it). Very > smooth IMO (not THE best but I have no complaints). > > FX processors, whether hooked up to a mixer or directly to a module, may be > turned on, turned off, or bypassed. "on" will keep the processor active. > "off" turns the processor off and i believe also kills any audio going > through that effects processor altogether. bypassed will remove the effect > but allow the original tone from the source to pass through unchanged. > > Sequencer: one track appears for each module you create (with the exception > of your fx processors and your mixer) in the arrange window. you can toggle > between view mode (which is a layout of your track in bars) or a view of the > piano roll. you can set up zones using the draw tool in view mode and copy > and paste as you wish. > Note: To automate effects, you have to create a new track in your Sequencer > window for any FX processor you'd like to control. > > Automation: just about any knob, control, or fader on any module can be > tweaked and recorded as you make your tweaks realtime. You can either > replace existing recorded tweaks or just add overdubs to what has already > been played. Using the record function as you play a peripheral set up to > input MIDI into Reason will record the notes you play. > > So there's the basic facts. My review? I LOVE REASON. It works for me. You > have the potential to make nice, lush, rich sounds from the modules. One > complaint i've heard about the synthesizers (and i don't doubt it) are that > the logarithms (algorithms? mm. yes. stoned.) are simple and/or "stupid" or > even "retarded" and "flawed". Well, that may be. regardless, once you learn > how to use them (and even if you don't), they can still sound good. > Something else in which Reason is lacking is its compatibility with VST. And > I do mean lacking. It has none whatsoever. However, knowing how to utilize > the synths well can make the use of other VSTis "obsolete" if you don't mind > "limiting" yourself to Reason. Listen to some of the presets and you get an > idea of the diversity of sounds the synths can produce. If you really like > your VSTis though, and you use Logic Audio, you can use Reason to augment it > (open Logic first and then Reason. A link between the two programs is > automatically established, though both programs remain open as separate > applications. This link between the two puts Reason in Slave mode, in which > you use the Logic transport to control playback, stop, fast forward, etc. > You can use any normal functions in Logic (VSTis, plugins, etc.) on any > module you use in Reason by using the Rewire function. You can Rewire Reason > modules by connectiong their master outs to a channel or channelS on > Reason's Audio Interface (which is a 64 channel interface that appears at > the top of your rack) and setting them up as Audio Instruments in Logic's > arrange window. To do this all you have to do is select the matching channel > number as the input source for any given Audio Instrument track. > > I will warn you that Rewiring Reason into Logic is rather CPU intensive. > I've had problems with that. I just need a faster machine. :) > > Anyway, > > I haven't had any trouble making stuff in Reason that i've been happy with. > If you want to hear what i've done with it, here are some tracks I've made > in reason: > > http://www.phrantek.com/audio/tracks/Phrantek_-_Stasis(2003).mp3 > http://www.phrantek.com/audio/tracks/phrantek_-_23_skiddoo.mp3 > http://www.phrantek.com/audio/tracks/telepopmusik-breathe(phrantek_rmx).mp3 > http://www.phrantek.com/audio/tracks/phrantek-bitterness.mp3 > http://www.phrantek.com/audio/tracks/phrantek-simple_things.mp3 > > none of these are "finished projects" per se (one thing Reason CAN NOT do is > help you out with mixdowns beyond adjusting levels and some basic EQing) but > you should get the idea. > > Let me know if you have more questions. But yeah. Reason gets a thumbs up > from me. > > Peace. > > ~Andy > > -----Original Message----- > From: Johnson, Matthew [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2003 1:47 AM > To: Drum & Bass Arena Discussion List > Subject: [dnb-prod] Re: reason question > > > whilst we are on the subject of Reason, > I am thinking of giving it a go? > > Is it just a sequencer like Cubase or Acid Pro? or is it a complete 'studio' > package? > Can it use VST Plugins? > > etc etc!! > any info/reviews about Reason will be very welcome. > Thanks, > > Matt > -----Original Message----- > From: ROB GRI [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2003 3:10 AM > To: Drum & Bass Arena Discussion List > Subject: [dnb-prod] Re: reason question > > > kool thanx to everybody for the help I figured it out......... > > > >From: Tony Sexton > >Reply-To: "Drum & Bass Arena Discussion List" > >To: "Drum & Bass Arena Discussion List" > >Subject: [dnb-prod] Re: reason question > >Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2003 16:50:47 -0800 (PST) > > > >You can use the NNXT sampler...load your bass > >sample...filter as you like...layer it....play > >it...>render as wave...>load in acid! > > > > > >Hope this helps... > > > >L8r > >--- ROB GRI wrote: > > > >--------------------------------- > >I dont know reason that well but....I was wondering > >how I can add a bass sample I have in to the > >Subtractor Polyphonic Synthesizer(because the init > >patch only alows .zyp files) I like the Matrix > >sequencer below it that works with it.Basically what I > >want to do is make a bassline with a non reason bass > >sample, render it then throw it in to acid. > > > >--------------------------------- > >Protect your PC - Click here for McAfee.com > >VirusScan Online --- > >Drum&Bass Arena Producers Discussion List > >http://www.breakbeat.co.uk > >You are currently subscribed to dnb-prod as: > >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >To unsubscribe send a blank email to > >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > > >__________________________________________________ > >Do you Yahoo!? > >Yahoo! Shopping - Send Flowers for Valentine's Day > >http://shopping.yahoo.com > > > >--- > >Drum&Bass Arena Producers Discussion List http://www.breakbeat.co.uk > >You are currently subscribed to dnb-prod as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >To unsubscribe send a blank email to > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > MSN 8 helps ELIMINATE E-MAIL VIRUSES. 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