Discover Reason

If you haven't already discovered it, I would be surprised. Propellerhead Reason is a powerful computer program designed to give you an entire virtual studio, infinitely expandable, complete with mixers, synthesizers, samplers, drum machines, effects and a live MIDI sequencer. I should first point out that Reason is not an audio recording program, but it can operate it tandem with your favourite recording platform (Logic, Pro Tools, Ableton Live etc.) via Rewire, a plugin device that synchronizes the transports of both programs and streams the audio between them. This means you can simultaneously enjoy the power of Reason synthesis and drum programming with the audio editing and processing of your main recording software.

Reason is a big can of worms, and you have to open it to know what I mean. At first it may seem daunting, but at its most basic level, Reason is very simple to operate. You assemble your sessions one device at a time, using as few or as many devices as you need. The number of devices is only limited by your computer, and you will find that Reason is very processor efficient. If you have a machine from the last year or two, you'll run out of coffee long before you run out of processor power.

You might just need a drum loop and a synth bass line. Throw some reverb on those drums. Add compression. Play some strings. Add a tambourine. Then, take the blue pill. Go down the rabbit hole. Press [TAB].

Seriously. That's the key command to toggle the rear view of your rack devices. Now you're looking behind your Reason virtual studio, where all the cables are connected. This is when you realize power of the dark side. I mean, the modular design. You can connect the devices in your rack in an infinite number of ways, routing sounds and control voltages between devices, creating new possibilities with every patch and turn of a knob. Take a sound, then distort it, use another oscillator to modulate it, compress it, arpeggiate it, chop, slice and dice it. Only now have you begun to explore the full potential of this software.

Fortunately there are lots of instructional materials to help you delve deep into this world of virtual analog. Youtube is loaded with instructional vids, but if you're looking for more official coaches, the lovely Swedish developers at Propellerhead have an ongoing series of tutorials just for you, called Discovering Reason. And if you're really looking to geek out, check out Kurt Kurasaki (aka Peff), an officially endorsed super-Reason-geek who produces music, software patches, and publishes instructional books on the subject. I have a copy of his book Power Tools for Reason.

I can't say enough positive things about this program. I have used it on a daily basis for 4 years now on all of my personal recording projects and TV gigs. Don't let anyone convince you it's just for electronic music. They are so wrong. Lots of great rock artists use it, e.g. The Flaming Lips. It's an inexpensive way to increase your sonic palette and to make your audio toolbox a whole lot bigger.

Happy patching!