Dubstepforum.com

Hey all,

I wanted people's opinion on Reason 4 and stuff, and whether you think it's actually a decent piece of kit, because I'm trying to write Dubstep tracks in it and I find that I always end up getting a really... well, Reason-y sorta sound out of it (i.e. you can tell it's written and produced in Reason). I have recently tried re-wiring to Cubase but Cubase is slightly less accessible for automation and such which is key in Dubstep (if you like making warby bass, like me )

So do you take Reason seriously, or should I look for another DAW to work with?

reason is a fine program. yes it definitely sounds better if you rewire it into a another program, but you can do quite a lot of fun arranging and tweaking in the program, and then use another program's audio engine and mastering plugins to really get a better sound.

Ahh, fair do... I just end up getting the same sorta sounds out of it in every track I make, so I was considering just ditching it for something else, but modules like ReDrum, Dr. REX and especially Malstrom for bass tones are actually quite good when you get down to it...

Dub Fiend wrote:Ahh, fair do... I just end up getting the same sorta sounds out of it in every track I make, so I was considering just ditching it for something else, but modules like ReDrum, Dr. REX and especially Malstrom for bass tones are actually quite good when you get down to it...

i get totally different sounds from it, depending upon what i am doing. *shrug* i use my own samples in the redrum, use various effect chains and just generally fart around with it until it does what i want.

yeah its really just about finding a workflow that works for you. I like reason, but renosie works better for me. but reason is FUUUN!

sapphic_beats wrote:reason is a fine program. yes it definitely sounds better if you rewire it into a another program, but you can do quite a lot of fun arranging and tweaking in the program, and then use another program's audio engine and mastering plugins to really get a better sound.

truth.

in my experience, if you're going to use reason, don't just use the stock refills and stay completely inside reason...this is how things become ''reasonified'' (real word) and instantly recognisable as a reason-made production.

i know a few people that produce using JUST reason and its inbuilt samplebanks. their tunes pretty much all sound the same.

use it, but make sure you have your own sample library too, because if you keep rinsing reason's built in sounds, all your tunes will sound like the last one, and 100's of other producers last ones.

i've used it for making basslines and some synth leads etc, fantastic program for this, brilliant synths, but personally i find the sequencer annoying as fuck, so i'll bounce down the synth noise i like and use it in another sequencer.

someone correct me if i'm wrong, but didn't the prodigy make a whole album in reason?

Reason is nice for getting out little ideas too I guess... but yeah, I do use my own samples in Reason for the drums and such, but there are only so many times you can use the same 4 bass drum samples ¬_¬ lol...

I do use a LOT of my own refills, I swear I have 40-50 or so, but most of them are either Ambient Electronica, D'nB or Hip Hop themed refills so a lot of the stuff in them can't really help me...

And yeah they did I heard they were paid to do it though... And I also heard Skream just use Live and Reason as well, is that true?

yes... but it's all about refllls, your own samples, and really pushing the synths to do what you want them to do.

i bought the Music Tech complete guide to ableton last month and theres a Liam Howlett interview where he says when hes in studio he has reason alongside live and logic

Nah Reasons for cross dressing poofs. I have proof.....

ReWire the fukker to Cubase or FL for VST support.

I dont like the sequencer in Reason personally. Way, way too long to use.

Nice sounds tho

The answer is... yes

Reason is an amazing program!

Although one is limited to the gear built in, with exploration and a good knowledge of music production, it can be pushed to create fantastic sounds.

I don't touch the reason sound banks at all. Instead, I program the synths to get the sounds I'm after and rely on 3rd party drum samples. I often delve into rewiring the rack modules and use the combinator to combine sounds.

Another technique I use is to program a sound in reason, export it as a wav into my audio editor, tweak it, then import it back into Reason.

I found the interface in Reason 4 to be too fiddly. Everyone loves having new kit, but trying to learn a synth like Thor is pointless until simpler synths like Malstrom have been rinsed. The Arpeggitor is excellent, but the same effect can be achieved with deft sequencing or the Matrix unit. I'm not a fan of shuffle in my music, so the Regroove mixer is of no use to me.

I've stuck to Reason 3 after testing Reason 4. Reason 3 is simple to use and well featured. I have taught many people to use Reason as part of my work. Once they have understood the concept of a rack, usually within an hour they have good sounding tracks underway.

Cubase is not the easiest program to learn or use. It does offer greater flexibility than Reason.

I stand firmly by Reaper (http://www.cockos.com/reaper) which is donationware. It offers the same kind of flexibility and features as Cubase, which includes Rewire & VST support, audio recording, bussing and time stretching. It has a simpler and more customisable interface, and is akin to Reason 3's sequencer.

Ultimately, as mentioned above, you need to find a set of programs that have a simple and comfortable work flow, yet that offer good features and flexability. I find that many free programs now have excellent features. Kjaerhus Classic Series plugins (http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/classic-series.php) and Luxonix LFX-1310 Multi Effect (http://www.luxonix.com/home/en/products.html?id=lfx1310) are two great examples.

Another simple DAW you may wish to check out in place of Cubase is Mackie Tracktion (http://www.mackie.com/products/tracktion3/).

FL Studio (Fruity Loops) is also well worth considering as the things that can be achieved with the built in synths and effects are stunning! (http://www.flstudio.com/)

nasty sequencer, everything else is more than kush

changing programs can help change up your workflow.

music is like depression: you either got to talk to someone, take drugs, or change your workflow

peace.

You know, me personally, if you ask, well... FUCK YES!
But after 5 years 'Reason only' and planning on going vocal it's time for a change. I think I will settle for Renoise, Ableton feels wrong somehow and Acid had some syncing issues in the past. Let me guess how my setup will look in the future:

Line6 Toneport KB37
Renoise (still have to try the demo)
Reason / Reaktor
Resolume (well I am a video guy originally, so this is a must, too)

It's time for Reactivation of my creative output, I hope the KRK's come soon...

whats everyones beef with the sequencer in reason?
i find it flows pretty well, what other features do other sequencers use?

I agree with Hugh, I don't actually find anything wrong with the Reason sequencer even though I hear the lecturers at Uni saying it's crap as well, but I've written music for years on Reason without a problem...

But thanks a lot for the help guys, I have got the Kjaerhus Audio plug-ins (which is what I used on my Tetris Dubstep track, along with the Waves plug-ins too) and I've found they work well I don't get on with trackers, so Renoise is sorta out of the picture, even though I have tried to use it... I find FL Studio is a bit odd to work with just in the fact that it's not like a conventional sequencer. I might try out that Tracktion later on, haven't really got anything to lose...

...and as long as I can get a warbing bass out of a DAW, I'm good

futures_untold wrote:I stand firmly by Reaper (http://www.cockos.com/reaper) which is donationware. It offers the same kind of flexibility and features as Cubase, which includes Rewire & VST support, audio recording, bussing and time stretching. It has a simpler and more customisable interface, and is akin to Reason 3's sequencer.

Large up Reaper.

The Cockos FX are worth a look too.

I agree with Hugh, I don't actually find anything wrong with the Reason sequencer even though I hear the lecturers at Uni saying it's crap as well, but I've written music for years on Reason without a problem...

But thanks a lot for the help guys, I have got the Kjaerhus Audio plug-ins (which is what I used on my Tetris Dubstep track, along with the Waves plug-ins too) and I've found they work well I don't get on with trackers, so Renoise is sorta out of the picture, even though I have tried to use it... I find FL Studio is a bit odd to work with just in the fact that it's not like a conventional sequencer. I might try out that Traktion later on today

EDIT
AGH! DOUBLE POST! I'm such a noob >.<

Met Andy Stott and Claro Intelecto at Bloc and they both use only Reason. Enough said really.