The Reason Q&A Thread

[Tordal]

Hey Guys,

first of all i gotta say you helped me a lot in this thread, just by reading this I've learned so much, thx for that!

But now I've come across a problem with sampling:
When I load any sample in my NN19 and it doesn't fit in the time signature of the sequencer, so that it ends in the midst of a bar, how can I adjust that, without going on a too strange time signature, e.g. 11/4.
Or is it possible to work temporarily on a 11/4-scale for the workflow and the higher precision in the sequencer and, when I'm finished, to set it back to 4/4?

Due to the lack of my musical knowledge, I always go for a 4/4 time signature, although I do mostly broken beat stuff (is this possible or very uncommon?)
maybe anyone of u could help me out with these questions,

so long, and thx in advance,
Tordal

[futures_untold]

Hello Tordal, welcome to Dubstepforum.com!

The technique you're refering to in lengthening (or shortening) the samples is called time stretching. (I asume you knew that, but maybe you didn't?)

Reason doesn't have built in timestretching capabilities, although Propellerhead Record does.

You do have several options however!

1> The first option is to play the sample at a higher or lower pitch. This will change the length of the sample without using any timestretching techniques. The main drawback is that the sample will also play at a different pitch, which can lead to 'chipmonk' effect or 'demon' vocals etc. This may not be a problem if you like the effect, so that's an artistic judgement for you to make. Pitching drum samples up and down can sound good, especially bass drums, toms and gongs.

2> Obtain Propellerhead Record and use the built in timestretching feature. I can't give any advice on this as I don't use Record.

3> Use an alternative audio app to timestretch your samples like Reaper, Ableton Live, Logic, Cubendo etc etc. I'm going to recommend Reaper for several Reasons, the first of which is that you can download it legally for free in about 30 seconds and instal it in another 30 seconds. It also has timestretching features that suit what you're trying to achieve which I'll cover next.

- Open Reaper and enter the tempo you want in the small box at the bottom of the transport bar in the middle.
- Drag your sample from its location on your hard drive directly into the main empty bit of Reapers sequencer. (Reaper will create a new sequencer track for you and the sample will load onto it.)
- Move the sample all the way to the lefthand edge of the sequencer so that the sample start position is at 0.
- Hold down the Alt key on your computer keyboard and drag the righthand edge of the sample to the end of the bar. The sample should now be the correct length that you want it, and still play at its orignal pitch.
- Render the sample using the Render menu which is located in the File menu. (Specifically select the location you wish to bounce the sample to avoid an error message.)
- Load the sample back into the sampler. Triggering the sample on midi note C3 will play the sample at the exact tempo you chose to timestretch it too!

With regards to non-4/4 time signatures, I think it is more common in music which isn't catagorised as elctronic dance music, hip hop or pop. If you use the same sample throughout the track as the basis of your beat, the track will still sound 'in time' as the listener will become accustomed to hearing the time signature present in the sample. Of course, DJ's and dancers might not like it, but who cares!

Patrick

[Tordal]

Hi Patrick!

thx a lot man. Tried this using Audacity but I didn't like the pitch-effect and could not find anything else, but this helps a lot.
I did as u instructed, but I have the feeling that it's still a little bit slowed down. I assume that's not to avoid using the time-stretching-technique.
I just want to stretch an instrumental-sample from 3,4 bars to 4 if his is a useful information

[futures_untold]

Upload the sample you want to stretch to a file sharing site and post the link here along with the target bpm. I'll stretch it to fit 4 bars for you.

[Tordal]

nope thx, i already did it and achieved the desired effect, thx for that. just messed around with a rihanna sample, to get used to working with such samples

[s1edge55]

hey guys, been listening to dubstep for years, decided im gonna jump on the bandwagon and start producing!, having looked at a couple of DAW's ive decided to go with reason, as im completely NEW to producing any sorts of music whats the best way to get my head round using the software and understanding everything, is it just the case of playing around, watching various tutorials and reading articles, also setup wise im currently rocking the logitech z-2300 200W obviously there not ideal but for the next few months i guess its best to just understand producing music and getting to know the software, any advice would be appreciated, peace out.

[futures_untold]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

It is just a case of playing around, watching tutorials and reading books & articles...

You said it right first time, the hard/fun part is doing it

The next few months i guess its best to just understand producing music and getting to know the software, any advice would be appreciated, peace out.

Read the manual that comes built into Reason (Press F1 or go to the Help menu). It explains it all. Use Google to look up words you don't know the meaning of. Spend a lot of time reading the threads that are linked in this thread ---> http://dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=159713

Patrick

[bananafarmer]

Yo whats up guys, Ive just got a little question to ask.
ive been trying out some cool effects using notch filters in reason 4 recently. I understand the basics of what a notch filter is, but whats up with the LP/HP knob for it when you use it (state variable) in Thor. Can anyone explain what this is actually doing? The position of the frequency getting cut out is just controlled by the freq knob obviously, but I don't see how LP/HP comes into it if its just a notch filter, is it something to do with the width of the notch itself?
thanks

[futures_untold]

Yes.

One could use the LP & HP cutoff points to automate only the top or bottom side of the notch.

[arfus]

quick question.

what are some replacements for the LFOs in reason? I generally use a regular envelope filter routed to the LFO of a subtractor but it just doesn't sound dirty enough for me. maybe it's just the wavform I'm using in the lfo. any tips on how to make it dirty? my synth already sounds nice and dirty.

[futures_untold]

In Reason, we have multiple options for creating custom envelope shapes.

You've already sussed using the ADSR and LFO CV generators, but there are plenty of alternative options for custom waveshapes.

We can achieve an ADSR with a shapable Attack curve by modulating the Attack control on our ADSR envelope with another modulation source. Thus, the shape of the modulation envelope impacts the timing of the Attack phase of the ADSR envelope which is controlling your synth/sampler parameters.


Other sources of modulation envelopes include:

• - We can also use the CV merger/splitter to create hybrid shapes from existing envelope shapes. I always use the LFOs on the Malstrom as they have the best set of LFO shapes available in Reason.
  
  - Another option is the Matrix pattern device or the arpegiator as a source of CV signals too. These are good for gated sequences.
  
  - There is also an envelope follower built into the Scream 4 distortion device which tracks the audio signal fed into the unit and outputs a CV signal. Using the Scream as an envelope foloower, any audio signal from a synth or sample can be used as a modulation source. The drawback of the envelope follower is that there is a slight delay between the audio being recieved and the CV signal being produced.
  
  - We can also use the Combinator's knobs to control more than one parameter on all devices contained within the Combinator unit. The Combinator controls can be fed a CV signal or automated just as any other control in Reason.
  
  - We can record full vector automation directly onto the sequencer for almost every control in Reason. This provides unlimited scope for fine tweaks which could help to achieve the sound sought.
  
  - Finally, we could use an external midi generator in conjunction with Reason through Rewire. Midi only plugins exist that allow you to generate envelopes, from arpegio sequences to hand drawn shapes. KVRaudio.com is a good place to start looking for such plugins using their plugin database.

[AllNightDayDream]

Not really a question, more like another "wtf propellerhead" thing but why the hell can't I automate or midi control anything on the XT?

[-[2]DAY_-]

Not really a question, more like another "wtf propellerhead" thing but why the hell can't I automate or midi control anything on the XT?

ya can't, but I've been twisting the knobs with my mouse whilst tracking via reWire. Less than ideal, can't be edited later. I know, lame reply.

[AllNightDayDream]

Not really a question, more like another "wtf propellerhead" thing but why the hell can't I automate or midi control anything on the XT?

ya can't, but I've been twisting the knobs with my mouse whilst tracking via reWire. Less than ideal, can't be edited later. I know, lame reply.

Yknow i've yet to actually rewire... but I swear one day I'm gonna hire a badass hacker to just fix everything with it and give it out to people. Reason is like a perfect 10 bombshell that'll give you a bj but won't go all the way... oy vey

[terrible1fi]

I thought it was because there aren't enough midi cc numbers in the current way it's programmed. maybe use the nn-19?

[AllNightDayDream]

I thought it was because there aren't enough midi cc numbers in the current way it's programmed. maybe use the nn-19?

good call didn't think of that

[Ongelegen]

There was a thread recently about the combinator programmer. Thread is locked now, due the OP also posting his tune. I wrote this basic and small tutorial explaining how to assign parameters to the rotaries and button on the combinator, to post in that thread. Since its locked i'm posting it here so it doesn't go to waste. I hope someone finds it useful.


Tutorial: Using combinator’s programmer

Let’s say you have 3 subtractors in a combinator, playing the same pattern/melody/wobble and you want to assign multiple parameters of these synths to a single rotary knob on the combinator. For example, you want the LFO speed of all three subtractors under rotary 1.

Press the ‘open programmer’-button on the front of the combinatory. A blue screen will unfold like this.



On the right hand side you see the modulating routing. In this window you can set the source, the target and the min & max values. On the left hand side you’ll see all the devices within the combinator. Each device has it’s modulation routing window, which can be accessed by clicking on the device on the left side of the programmer.

In our case we want to assign the LFO speed of all three subtractors to rotary 1, rotary 1 being the source. Click on the first subtractor, now assign the target in the modulation routing window by clicking on the empty slot. In the drop down menu go to. LFO -> LFO 1 rate. Now do this for the other 2 subtractors. Now when you turn rotary 1 you’ll see that the LFO 1 rate knobs of all 3 subtractors are also turning.

The min & max rates in the modulation routing will automatically will be set to 0 and 127. This means when the rotary is all the way down, the controlled parameter will be at it’s minimum rate, which in this case is 0. And vice versa for the max rate.

This is just a basis explanation of the programmer, as you can tell there are many, many modulation possibilities by assigning different parameters, even on the same device, to single rotary which will give you some nice results when automated. Try experimenting with different assignment!

[Tordal]

Thx for all your help and input futures_untold and project ex, pretty much appreciated and immediately applied

I've got another question regarding the NN19 sampler; i wanna oscillate its amplitude by lfo which is not a inherent function of neither the NN19 nor the NNXT.

so i figured out that i should route the sampler to e.g. thor's lfo which is able to oscillate the amplitude and i thought it has something to do with cv but i didn't succeed

may any of u point it out for me pls, only resort would be sidechain compression but with a routed lfo it would be much more controllable.

thx mates in advance.

[futures_untold]

Hello

You correctly tried using the CV signals which stands for control voltage.

The method to employ depends on which sampler device is used and whether one is trying to modulate the global volume or that of individual samples only.

For the NN-19:

- Create a Malstrom.
- Flip the rack around by hitting the TAB button.
- Drag a connection between the Mod A output on the Malstrom to the 'Level' input found within the NN-19's modulation input section.
- Mod A now controls the NN-19's global volume.


For the NN-XT global volume:

- Create a Malstrom.
- Flip the rack around by hitting the TAB button.
- Drag a connection between the Mod A output on the Malstrom to the 'Master Volume' input found within the NN-XT's modulation input section.
- Mod A now controls the NN-XT's global volume.


For an individual samples volume loaded into the NN-XT:

- Create a Malstrom.
- Flip the rack around by hitting the TAB button.
- Drag a connection between the Mod A output on the Malstrom to the 'Mod Wheel' input found within the NN-XT's modulation input section.
- Mod A now controls the NN-XT's modulation wheel.
- Flip the rack back around to see the front controls.
- Open the advanced programmer section of the NN-XT if it isn't already open.
- Select the individual sample or group of samples for which you would like to modulate the volume. (Select multiple samples by holding down the SHIFT button while clicking on each sample.)
- Once the desired samples are selected, find the 'Level' control in the Modulation section (which is in the top left corner of the advanced programmer).
- Ensure that the green 'x' button is illuminated, not the 'w' button.
- Set the modulation amount you desire.

The modulation wheel in the master section of the NN-XT will now control the indivual samples volume levels. Because the mod wheel is itself being controlled by the Mod A section on the Malstrom, any control tied to the NN-XTs mod wheel will also be modulated.


Random Notes

I've mentioned using the Malstrom because it has the most waveshapes available out of all the LFO's from any Reason device (including Thors). Makes me wonder why Thor was so hyped if even the LFO is less featured than existing LFO sections???

If one wishes to retrigger the LFO cycle each time a new note is played, Combine both the Malstrom and the sampler device together in a Combinator. By recording sequencer data on the Combinators sequencer channel, all devices contained within will automatically trigger together in unison. You may need to check the wiring of the audio outputs if multiple devices are combined, and ammend this depending on your goals.

HTH!

[Bazzle09]

I've got another question regarding the NN19 sampler; i wanna oscillate its amplitude by lfo which is not a inherent function of neither the NN19 nor the NNXT.

You are saying that both the samplers in reason cant natively, without other devices, modulate the amplitude of its own master volume/gain out?