the virtual rack

IK Multimedia iRig Comes To Android!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 10:47:00 +0000

I won't lie: this has been a long time coming and kudos to IK Multimedia for being the first to get their act together on the Android front.

Seriously, this is just terrific, but you'll note there's no sign of Sampletank here. Android has been notorious with developers in the past for highly problematic audio latency issues (which Android claim isn't a software issue, but more of a hardware issue, something I hope might change with the Nexus devices. Time will tell.) A good sign is that iRig Recorder, the app hub for all this hardware, seems good to go, so who knows, maybe the audio issues are being addressed. Hopefully IK's commitment to Android will help push this even further.

The hardware will include: iRig MIC (a handheld mic), iRig MIC Cast (a small podcasting mic), iRig PRE (a preamp), iRig MIX (a small DJ style mixing board) and iKlip STUDIO (a stand for you tablets, both 10" and 7" versions.) And of course the excellent and very capable iRig Recorder app.

Available at the end of January, iRig Recorder comes in Free and Paid ($4.99, with some additional FX in app purchases) versions.

More at IK Multimedia.

LiveFx For iPad

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 05:53:00 +0000

Tired of waiting for Korg to release a Kaoss Pad for your iDevice? Well, the wait may finally be over.

While not actually from Korg, elephantcandy's LiveFX for iPad is a pretty terrific dynamic effects processor and works much like a real Kaoss Pad. You can can control up to 4 effects at once with one finger, or use multi-touch for some pretty trippy sounds. Also you can process any sound source you can get into the iPad: tracks from iTunes, a mixing board, instruments, vocals, etc. And as it has full AudioBus support you can go to town with your other music apps (as long as they also have AudioBus support.) The thought of feeding Samplr into this thing makes me grin like a loon.

Here's the highlights:

Hook up any source or even use an other app with Audiobus
Control multiple effects in realtime using the intuitive LiveFX touchpad 
Create your own LiveFX combinations and use up to four effects at once
Use multi touch to create a auto dynamic effect
Use one of the many preset-banks or save your own
With Audiobus access those presets from within an other app
Make your own effect combination from the countless possibilities 
Lock button holds the effect settings, for dazzling hands-free use 
Versatile and highly playable effects control, delivering unimaginable expression
New Looper effects – Forward, Reverse and Slice – add new audio intensity 
Mix it up with new DJ emulation Vinyl Break and Ducking Compressor effects
Auto BPM detection and Tap Tempo keeps your LiveFX locked to the beat

Have a video demo:

Get it on the App Store for free (with an in-app purchase of $8:99 to unlock the full version.)

Nodebeat Is Currently Free!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 05:20:00 +0000

If you don't have Nodebeat, now's the time to grab it. And you should. This is one of my personal favourite apps for coming up with quick unique and interesting beats/melodies, which I then AudioCopy/Paste over into Samplr and iKaossilator. Works like a charm.

It's free (as is Nodebeat HD for iPad.) Grab it.

Get it on the App Store for (currently) free.

Steinberg Cubasis For iPad

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 04:55:00 +0000

Yes. Cubase on your iPad. Think about that for a second.

Cubasis for iPad is about as full featured as you can get on iOS and the full list of features is jaw-dropping (I suggest heading over to their website for the full rundown) but here's the key features:

Unlimited audio and MIDI tracks (depending on the device used)
Over 70 virtual instrument sounds based on HALion Sonic
Mixer with over 10 effect processors (insert and send effects)
Over 300 MIDI and audio loops
Virtual keyboard and virtual drum pads
Sample Editor and Key Editor
Export to Cubase, Dropbox, SoundCloud, AudioCopy & email
Core Audio and Core MIDI compatible hardware supported
Sequence other Core MIDI apps (MIDI recording only) and run Cubasis simultaneously via background audio
Import audio from your iTunes music library or using iTunes filesharing, use AudioPaste or set up a Wi-Fi server in Cubasis

It's very very impressive and priced accordingly. Looking at this I'm struck by the fact that the one DAW that almost seems perfectly designed for multi-touch is so far nowhere to be seen on iOS. Ableton, are you paying attention?

Get it on the App Store for AU$51.99.

Caustic 2 For Android Is Available

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 03:10:00 +0000

This is easily one of, if not the, best music app on Android. It's easy to use and sounds great. It reminds me a little of Propellerheads' Reason back in the early days of that great app. It's quite similar in fact.

You can add any 6 of these machines:

Virtual analog subtractive synthesizer
PCM synthesizer
BassLine synthesizer (303-like synth)
Sampling drum machine

The app also includes

Effects rack supporting 2 effects per machine. (8 effect types)
Mixer desk with global Delay/Reverb
Song sequencer

The app is free to download and play with for an unlimited time, but to save and export etc, you need to buy the unlock key. But it's worth it. There isn't a better music making app on Android at this time.

Get it on Google Play for free and unlock it for AU$7.99.

Novation Launchkey For iPad

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 11:59:00 +0000

And out of nowhere comes the Novation Launchkey, a great looking analogue modelling synth for iPad.

Let's get this out of the way upfront: the Launchkey sounds absolutely fantastic. It also has a really nice, intuitive UI for changing parameters that's somewhat reminiscent of Propellerheads' Figure. It comes with 60 patches which you can tweak to your heart's content. This thing sounds FAT. It also has a basic arpeggiator.

But that's about it. You can't record anything, can't audio copy, no AudioBus integration. None of that. It's just a straight up, great sounding synth. If they get around to implementing at least some of that stuff, it could be pretty damn spectacular.

On the other hand, it's currently free. Can't argue with that.

Get it on the App Store for free.

Akai iMPC For iPad Is Here!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 12:50:00 +0000

Yes, it's true, the Akai iMPC for iPad is finally here. Built in collaboration with Retronyms (makers of Tabletop for iOS) it's actually as good as you hoped it would be. Maybe even better. I mean, it's essentially an MPC on your iPad. You can't really go wrong with that, right?

Sadly, however, there's still no sign of the MPC Fly, the hardware component of this set-up, which houses your iPad and gives you 16 real MPC pads. But my guess is that it'll be out early next year (don't quote me on that though, it's strictly a guess on my part.) And honestly, the app works just fine without it. Better than fine, actually.

Head below the cut for the full skinny.

OK, the iMPC has a feature list as long as your arm (although interestingly no mention is made of MIDI compatability and I haven't had a chance to test it) so without further ado, here's the specs:

More than 1,200 samples, 50 editable programs, and 80 editable sequences
Exclusive iMPC sound set and classic Akai Professional sound library
Sample from iPad mic, line-in, or music library using multi-touch turntable interface
Export tracks to MPC Software for use with MPC Renaissance and MPC Studio
In-app SoundCloud community, powered by CloudSeeder
Share on SoundCloud, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, or export to your computer
Tabletop-ready: works seamlessly with Retronyms’ Tabletop app for iPad
16 Levels mode: 16 levels of attack, velocity, length, and tuning
Note Variation slider: adjust attack, velocity, length, and tuning as you play
Trim and categorize samples, undo takes and erase samples
Create new sequences, record and overdub beats
Live Sequence queuing for real-time performance and playback
Simple drag and drop program creation
Built-in effects: delay, bit crusher, master compressor/limiter
Time correct: 1/8 note – 1/32T with variable swing
Note Repeat: 1/8 note – 1/32T timing, with latch
Supports WIST, wireless Sync Start protocol from Korg
AudioCopy beats and sequences to compatible apps
AudioPaste samples from compatible apps
Tabletop Ready App: works seamlessly with Retronyms’ Tabletop app for iPad
Route to and use with your favorite Tabletop Effects and devices
Line-in allows you to resample Tabletop devices
Use with Tabletop's Timeline Edtor

Not convinced yet? Have a video:

Sound good? Well, it is. So what you waiting for?

Get it on the App Store for AU$7.49 (limited time introductory price.)

Samplr for iPad Has Been Updated!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:29:00 +0000

This update adds:

New dark look
Audio input recording & resampling
AudioCopy & AudioPaste

This is a terrific update and really shows the developer is listening to feedback. I hope he adds Dropbox support in a future update and then Samplr would be, for my money, just about perfect.

If you haven't already, jump over to the App Store and grab it right now.

Get it on the App Store for AU$5.49.

Audiobus Is Now Available!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:17:00 +0000

Audiobus for iOS is finally here. Billed as the missing cable between your music apps, I'm delighted to report that it works exactly as advertised. Considering how complex an operation this must have been to pull off, I'm amazed they managed it, nevermind hitting a home run.

One caveat though: it doesn't work with all music apps, not yet, but the list of current apps is pretty impressive. If you're serious about music on your iDevice you probably already have at least a handful of them. Check the website for a full list (and, I would guess, check back for updates, too.)

So what is Audiobus and why are we so excited by it? Well basically it lets you chain together your music apps and play/record the result. You have inputs, outputs and effects, but what you can do with each app will be dependent on that app's features. Audiobus is pretty helpful in letting you know what does what so you don't try and put a mic input through an incompatible synth, for example.

All in all it's a resounding success. Check out the video below for more.

Get it on the App Store for AU$10.49

NanoStudio Half Price - Today Only!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 09:27:00 +0000

If you don't have it yet, go get it. This is one of the best universal music apps on iOS.

Highest possible recommendation.

Get it on the App Store for AU$8.49 (Today, Dec 1, only.)

Synergy Studio for iPad

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 07:48:00 +0000

4Pockets' Synergy Studio, a matrix sequencer for the iPad, is now available.

To be honest, this was more full featured than I was expecting. It's not just a Tenori clone with steriod issues (although it does feel like a variation of 4Pockets' own Aurora Sound Studio.)

The details:

Choose your pattern length from 16, 32 and 64 notes.
11 Drum Kits, 42 Analogue Synth instruments, 55 Sampler instruments, 21 Pad Synth instruments.
Further instruments available from free Sound library and in-App purchases.
Edit existing instruments to create new ones and save them to use again.
Easily connect and interact with other MIDI controls.
Fully integrated mixer and effects unit available.
3 BAND Parametric EQ on each of the 16 layers to control the tonal content of a layer.
Automate panning, fading and effects using the mixer.
Export and share to other iOS devices via Bluetooth, Pasteboard, SoundCloud, DropBox, Email and FTP.

It also has WIST for synching up with other devices. It's a pretty interesting app and if your interests run to matrix sequencers, probably worth checking out.

Get it on the App Store for AU$20.99.

Original Music Made With The Korg iPolysix

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 12:43:00 +0000

How cool is this? Although it's hardly surprising. The iPolysix is pretty much an entire production studio in itself. I predict we're going to see a lot more vids like this one.

Also check out his SoundCloud page for more cool app-made music.

Good stuff.

Get the app on the App Store for AU$15.99 (until Dec 31.)

Auria 48 Track DAW is On Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 06:34:00 +0000

Auria, the 48 track, professional DAW for iPad is currently on sale for AU$25.99 (normally AU$51.99.)

If you've been on the fence, now's the time to grab it. And in case you were wondering, it really is as good an app as it sounds. However, if you have NanoStudio or Multitrack DAW or something similar already, you may not need it.

Nonetheless, recommended.

Get it on the App Store for AU$25.99.

ReBirth & Figure Get Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 17:37:00 +0000

ReBirth has been updated to Ver. 1.3.

The new stuff:

Duo Mode - flip instruments around and jam with a friend on the same iPad
MIDI sync - sync ReBirth to your DAW, MIDI hardware or other apps
Background mode - keep ReBirth playing in the background when slaved to other apps
SoundCloud Sharing - share your ReBirth music on SoundCloud
iTunes export - export your track to iTunes on your computer

No sign of an iPhone version update. But trust me, you really want to use this on the bigger screen where it's a lot more fun.

Get it on the App Store for AU$10.49 (reduced from $15.99 until Dec 31.)

Figure has also been updated to Ver. 1.3

Universal - Adapted for iPad and iPhone 5
Legato notes - Create tied notes in the pattern by drawing finger right on Rhythm wheel, then up/down
Clear all function - clear a whole track with one tap
VU meters in mixer
Updated translation (Russian and chinese)
Choose language in Settings

This is a really fun and very addictive app. Highly recommended for .99c.

Get it on the App Store for AU$0.99.

Both updates are free for existing users.

Uphase+ For iPad

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 10:26:00 +0000

uPhase+ Demo Video 01 from Gregorio Zanon on Vimeo.

Okay, this is interesting. The website describes it as "interactive minimalism" and that about nails it. Essentially what this app does is a software emulation of the out-of-phase tape deck experiments pioneered by Steve Reich and Brian Eno, but with some nice multi-touch UI tweaks that make it a lot of fun.

And quite addictive. Let's hope future updates expands its basic usability.

Get it on the App Store for AU$5.49.

Korg iPolysix for iPad

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 11:31:00 +0000

Another terrific app from Korg. It even has 2 Kaoss Pads built in, as well as a drum machine, step sequencer and mixer.

I'm going to be giving this one some heavy use.

Get it on the App Store for AU$15.99 (until Dec 31.)

ETA: All Korg apps are now 50% off until Dec 31.

Native Instruments Black Friday Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 07:46:00 +0000

50% off most Native Instruments kit, including iMaschine for .99c (also expansion packs for .99c.)

Goes until Nov 26.

Have at it here.

Samplr for iPad

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 15:32:00 +0000

You all know about Samplr, right? It's only been out a week and has already made some waves around the place. And I have to admit, it's a really nice bit of kit.

Here's the meat of it (from the App Store):

7 different play modes: Slicer, Looper, Ebow, Tape, Scratch, Keyboard and Loop Player.
6 simultaneous samples (with 6 voices each).
5 sound effects per sample: Distortion, Filter, Amplitude Modulator, Feedback Delay and Reverb.
Gesture recorder.
High quality audio engine.
Detailed user guide.
Import your own samples (WAV) through iTunes.
Ready to use sample library.

As far as I'm concerned, the only things missing at this point are: Dropbox sync (let me open samples from Dropbox in Samplr, don't make me connect to a computer to do it, I mean, come on), audio copy/paste (specifically audio paste: I want to get sounds from Animoog and Sunrizer, etc into Samplr) and Soundcloud uploading. With those three things added, Samplr would be my definite one-stop go-to music app, no question

As it stands, though, it's still a really nice app, with a great UI, and worth every cent of it's AU$5.49 price.

Get it on the App Store.

Jordan Rudess, Morphwiz & A Huge Lenovo Touchscreen

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 07:45:00 +0000

This is pretty cool. I'm a big fan of the iDevices for multi-touch music making, but something with this much screen real estate? Yes please.

In a more recent interview with Sonicstate, Rudess did say the Lenovo had some latency issues, but then he got to play one of the big Sony screens at a Microsoft event and the latency was as negligible on that as on the iPad. I guess all we need now is for developers to get their apps onto Windows 8 and hardware makers to deliver good gear.

Exciting times.

The iPad: Mobile Music Making Machine

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 19:10:00 +0000

So on January 27 Apple finally announced their tablet: The iPad.

This was swiftly, and amusingly, followed by a) widespread praise for them doing a tablet the right way and b) widespread condemnation for its closed wall environment and for being "just" a large iPod (prediction: Apple will eventually kill off the MacBook Air and replace it with the MacPad running OSX. Mark my words.) If you're interested in all the tub thumping, go google it.

I have definitely come down on the side that's excited by it. I can't wait to get my hands on one of these things. And I'll tell you why:

Because it's a large iPod touch!

I'm not kidding. I've spent the last 8 months playing with an iPod touch and the whole time I kept thinking that if it had a bigger screen it would be perfect. It does everything I want it to do: multi-touch screen, long battery life, internet browsing, skype, music, eBooks/comics, movies, games (that I actually want to play & at very, very low cost) and more. It also has the advantage of not having what every recent Mac I've used has: the spinning beach ball of infuriation (which pops up whenever you ask OSX to do ... something. Gawd it drives me nuts.)

Sure, the iPad won't multi-task (except it sort of does, just not with every app, and I fully expect Apple to integrate a dashboard style set-up like they have for Safari mobile, where you can have, say, 4 apps open and be able to switch between them), doesn't have a camera (but I bet you it will in ver.2) and it doesn't support flash (and after beta testing YouTube's flashless HTML5 player, flash's demise can't come fast enough.) Also, no, it's definitely NOT a replacement for your main computer. D'uh.

But at this point none of that matters to me. Because right now the iPad is shaping up to be my perfect mobile music making machine.

But of course people have already complained about this aspect too: there's no USB so you can't use a MIDI controller for its synths (you have a bloody inbuilt multi-touch screen, you moron!) or use it as a software controller for the likes of Ableton (uhm, yes, you can), has no line in so no way to record into it (a headphone jack adapter takes care of that, just like on the iPod touch), you can't get the music you make off it easily (a 1/4" stereo cable out its headphone jack to the line in of your main computer and straight into Ableton/Logic/Sonar/whatever - easy) and on and on and on. All of these complaints demonstrate laziness and a distinct lack of creative thinking to me.

For well under $100AU in music apps, you can turn the iPad (or iPod or iPhone for that matter) into a pretty solid pro mobile studio (I've already used some of the iPod versions of these in my music, but I bet you couldn't tell where) and a very cool performance instrument.

So anyway, if you're interested, these are the 10 music making apps that will be going on my iPad the day I get it.

Note: all links go to the app's websites, not iTunes, so you can read up on them a bit more first. All prices are in $AU.

iTouchMIDI (Free - $7.99) They have a range of apps for turning your iPad (or Pod) into a wifi touch screen music software controller, so you can work with Ableton/Reason/Logic etc. Brilliant. Novation and Cubase have similar apps and frankly, Jazzmutant would be insane not to port over their multi-touch controller software to the iPad.

Beatmaker ($23.99) Probably the Gold standard for recording/mixing apps. 16 sample based trigger pads (which you can load your own homebrewed samples onto), audio recording from microphone/headset, multi track song sequencer, effects, etc. Brilliant piece of kit.

Noise.io Pro Synth ($17.99) Like having a Roland synth crossed with an Access Virus controllable by a 10x10 Korg Kaoss Pad. The sound engine is amazing & fully editable/savable. You can also record everything you play, save it, then open Beatmaker and load the saved files. Nice.

JR Hexatone Pro ($12.99) A 6 directional drum/rhythm/melody sequencer developed by Jordan Rudess (of Dream Theater.) You can also load your own samples into it and save stuff then open it in Beatmaker. I can't begin to do this thing justice. Go check it out.

DigiDrummer ($2.49) 8 drum pads. 28 different drum sets. Build your own kits. Great sound. Record what you play. Who could ask for anything more?

technoBox ($5.99) a 303, 808 and 909 emulator. Integrated effects. 24 layers per session. 1000 bar sequencer. And sounds amazing.

iSyn ($5.99) 2 analog synths, 8 drum pads, sequencer and records WAV and MIDI files.

iSample ($12.99) a sampler with 8 sample engines and capable of sampling in real time. Trim and edit your samples, layer them in the sequencer. Add effects. Beautiful piece of design from the the makers of the TimewARP 2600 softsynth.

Euphonics Synth ($1.19) An ambient music synth which almost veers into generative music territory. Gorgeous sound engine.

ARGON Analog Synth ($2.49) An absolutely gorgeous monophonic analog synth. Do I need to spell this out for you?

ETA (March 2010): Even though I've waxed lyrical about the iPad here, I want to just say that given my past experiences with Apple and my current experiences with the iPod, I would approach the first generation of these with extreme caution. And to be honest I probably won't buy one till Gen2. I'm just saying ...

The Best MIDI Keyboard?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:57:00 +0000

Okay, I'll admit that "the best" anything is a subjective notion at the best of times, but a lot of people have been asking this very question.

So is there an answer?

Well, for the last few years I've been happily using the M-Audio Axiom 49, both live and in the studio, and have had no issues with it whatsoever. I've found it to be a good, solid gigging keyboard, although many others prefer the Korg Kontrol 49 and more recently the Akai MPK-49.

However, recently there is one MIDI keyboard everybody seems to be agreeing on. The Novation Remote SL Series.

It really is an impressive keyboard, comes in 25, 37 and 61 keys and the action on those keys is smooth as silk. It also has trigger pads and enough knobs and sliders to keep anybody happy (or busy!) for weeks.

But two things set it apart: 1) it has two large LED screens that tell you which knob/slider is controlling which parameter in your software and 2) Novation's Automap protocol, which automatically maps all your controls to whichever software you're using - and does it well, even if you're switching between them. It's early days, but Automap really needs to become an industry standard, like ReWire - it's that good.

Is there a downside (other than the price - about double many others on the market) to this keyboard? Well, at the moment synching can occasionally be a bit erratic with Logic Studio (but works flawlessly with Propellerhead Reason, Ableton Live and others.) However, Novation are constantly updating their drivers, so I'd expect this to be a temporary concern.

If there's a better controller on the market, I'm not aware of it.

(Full specs at the Novation website.)

What do you use (and love ... or hate?)

What Can I Import Into Reason?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:06:00 +0000

This is apparently the question a lot of you are asking about Propellerhead Reason.

Other than REX Loops (which you play in the DR:Rex Loop Player), Akai Samples (for which you'll need Reload) the short answer is this: you can import Soundfonts, as well as any of the major formats that other sequencers will export.

Namely, AIFF or WAV.

To get them into Reason you need to use the NN-XT Sampler (or the NN-19) by clicking the Load Sample button at the top left of the Remote Editor (the Remote Editor is the part of the NN-XT you get by clicking the little arrow on its bottom left.) The samples are usually mapped, at the correct pitch, to middle C (C3) of your keyboard.

If you're after something different, you can also load samples into the ReDrum. To do this simply click on the little folder icon at the top of one of its columns, let's say #1, then navigate to where your sample is and load it up. You then use the ReDrum as normal (which can make for some interesting results if your sample isn't percussion!)

Once your samples are imported, you can then add FX to them or otherwise manipulate them.

How To: Import mp3s into Reason

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:34:00 +0000

UPDATE (14 November 2012): Much of this post is still relevant. You still can't import compressed audio (mp3, Ogg Vorbis) directly into Reason. You still have to dick around to do it. Yay.

Okay, I admit it, the title of this post is a bit of a cheat because you can't import mp3s directly into Reason. I know, sad but true. However, with a simple bit of conversion you can, in fact, get those very tracks into Reason.

It's really quite simple. Here's how:

If you don't already have another sequencer such as Apple Logic (or Garageband), Ableton Live or Cubase (or something similar) you can use Audacity which is 100% free.
Simply drag and drop the mp3 you want to use into Audacity and then export the track back out as an AIFF or WAV.
You can also export a specific part of the track as a loop or segment by moving the Left marker to the start of the section you want and the Right marker to the end of the section and then choosing Export As Loop.
You can then import the AIFF/WAV into an NN-XT Advanced Sampler. And in fact, if you want to use an entire mp3 song it's a good idea to split it into segments anyway and import them individually to the NN-XT Sampler so you don't run into timing problems.

And you're done!

This also works for vocals or instruments you may want to record and then use in your Reason songs. Just record them into Audacity and then follow the steps above. You can use Reason to add effects once you have them imported.

Do you have an easier way of doing this? Let us know!

How To: Compose To Picture With Reason

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 26 May 2008 14:47:00 +0000

As much as I love Propellerhead Reason there's still a few things it just can't do.

The main thing people seem to be obsessed with and go on about ad nauseum is its apparent inability to record audio in (such as vocals) but there are some simple ways around that (and I'll almost definitely do a post about that later.)

But for me there are two things I really wish it could do: 1) music notation (and the ability to print the final sheet music) and 2) being able to compose to picture (for film or television scoring.) There's not much I can do about the first, but for the second there's ReVision.

Granted Software's ReVision is basically a ReWire enabled QuickTime player which allows it to be synched with Reason, so you can precisely compose and place your soundtrack and then export the whole thing (sound and picture) out of ReVision. It's ingenious, simple and dead easy to use:

Open ReVision (always open the host application first, to insure that ReWire is enabled correctly!)
Open Reason.
ReVision and Reason are now ReWired and in synch! So any changes you make in one will immediately show up in the other.
When you're done you have to export the project out of ReVision to insure that sound/picture are contained in the same file.
You have a finished video with music!

The above steps will also work with a video capable sequencer (such as Garageband, Apple Logic, Ableton Live, etc) in place of ReVision (just always remember to open the host application first and Reason second.) But I find ReVision a lightweight, easy to use solution.

For Windows users: sadly ReVision only works on Mac OS X. However, I'm told that the excellent Reaper sequencer also works very well. But any sequencer that allows the ReWire protocol will work, so you may already have one installed!

Note: I've been hearing reports that ReVision isn't working too well with Reason 4. I'm sure this is only a temporary glitch. Download the demo and give it a try first!

10 Steps to Your First Sound in Propellerhead Reason!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 18 May 2008 12:17:00 +0000

So you've installed Propellerhead Reason (or downloaded the demo) - now what?

I'm going to assume you already have Reason open, so now it's time get some sounds out of it!

Go to File and choose New. This will create an empty rack with a Mixer already loaded in.
Go to Window and choose Detach Sequencer Window. You now have two windows: the Rack and the Sequencer.
Go to Create and choose SubTractor Analog Synthesizer. This puts the instrument in your Rack and a lane for it in the Sequencer. In Reason 4 all instruments are created with a patch already loaded so ...
Go to the Sequencer window and in the top LEFT corner there's a small square with three coloured horizontal lines. Click on it. This opens the Piano Roll - look for a Piano Keyboard to the left, inside the Sequencer.
Click anywhere on the Piano Keyboard and you should hear the instrument playing that note. Don't like what you hear? No probs ...
Got to the Rack window. In the top left of the SubTractor you'll see a thin window with red writing - click on it and you get a drop down menu. Choose a new patch. Repeat until you find one you like.
Ok, back to the Sequencer. At the top of the window, next to the button you pressed earlier you should see a series of buttons - an arrow, a pencil, a hand, etc) - click on the Pencil. This allows you to draw notes straight into the Sequencer.
Make sure the Subtractor icon to the left in the Sequencer is outlined in red. If not click it. Now you can draw notes for it in the sequencer.
Simply click in the sequencer where you want the note to start and drag the mouse for the length of note you need. Repeat as needed.
Once you've finished drawing your notes in, you can click the Play button at the bottom of either the Rack or Sequencer to hear what you've got. Ta da! (Don't forget to go back up in the Sequencer and click on the Hand again, otherwise every time you click in the Sequencer you'll leave a note!)

Steps 1 to 10 will work for every instrument in Reason except:

1. The Combinator - because it's not an instrument; it's a carrier for other instruments, however you can load a Combinator patch that's good to play like an instrument:

Go to Create. Choose: Create Device By Browsing Patches (this will open the Reason browser). Click on: Combinator Patches (this will give you more folders).
Click on a Folder you like the sound of and inside you'll find Combinator instrument patches.
Click on one and it will load up just like the Subtractor did and you can do everything as outlined above for the Subtractor.
Now, if you go to the Rack, you'll see the Combinator has buttons on the left. If one says: Run Pattern Devices, you may have to click it for the patch to sound. Also, if you click: Show Devices, you can see what instruments & effects the Combinator is made up of! Cool for getting ideas to make your own Combi!

2. Dr.Rex Loop Player. Like the name says, it's a loop player. If you load one into the rack you can preview its loop patches. There's a Preview button at the top of it near the middle - press it to listen. You can change patches the same way as for the Subtractor, by clicking in the thin window. Find one you like? Click: To Track and it'll put it into the Sequencer for you.

This might be a good spot to tell you about the locators in the Sequencer. If you look at the Sequencer you'll see some vertical lines and at the top they have letters: P (for Play: it moves when you press play), E (for End; this is where your song ends) and R (for Right) and L (for Left). All of these are movable by clicking and dragging up near the letter. When you're working on a tune and you press To Track on the Dr.Rex it will lay the loop only between where you place the R and L locators, so you need to keep that in mind.

3. ReDrum Drum Computer.

Go to Create and load one up.
Click the Run button at the bottom on the left. You'll see the little red light running across the top of the white squares to the right. Ok. Click on some of those white squares. You should hear percussion.
Above that you have 10 channels. #1 should have it's Select button lit. Click Select for #2.
Go back to the white squares, click on more of them. You've added more percussion. You should start to see where this is going. You're building a rhythm track.
If you want to change drum kits: same as above: Click the small window, choose a different drum kit.
To stop click on Run again.

And that's basically it. The user's manual (which is a PDF file in your Reason folder) is a must read and will take you much deeper into the possibilities for sound creation.

Have fun!