Reason Instruments Explained - Vol 2

Volume 2 of the definitive guide to Reason's instruments is now available! If you want to know everything about Reason's powerful built-in instruments, stop right here. In Vol 2, Reason guru Sedric Pieretti is back, this time taking you through all of Reason's drum machines and samplers with in-depth overviews, section breakdowns, creative uses and more.

Instrument Overview

• Overview of the Instruments (06:49) - A brief description of the nine different devices in Reason 5, (Thor, Malstrom, Subtractor, Kong, ReDrum, NN-XT, NN-19 , Dr. Octo Rex and the Combinator) and their functions within the program as well as the types of synthesis and sample playback they offer. Focusing upon describing and identifying the instruments.

Selecting and Playing Instruments

• Instrument Selection (02:57) - Looking at the instruments available in the Reason 5 Factory Sound Bank and how to choose from the selection to get your desired sound.

• Playing Instruments (07:26) - A description of the different ways in which synths can be played in Reason. Playing live with a MIDI controller, the on-screen keys in Reason 5, the RPG-8 arpeggiator, pattern sequencing and loop playback are all discussed to provide clarity to the distinct differences between devices.

• Assigning Controls (08:08) - Discussing the ways in which a MIDI keyboard, or a QWERTY keyboard can be used to control parameters and automate data through override mapping and controller assignments.

• Using Patches (04:11) - Looking at how to edit patches, save your own patches and use Reason's internal interface to manage your patch library.

NN-19

• NN-19: First Look (04:57) - Identifying and describing the sections of the NN-19's front panel and outlining the flow of audio through NN-19. Oscillator section, sample window, envelopes, LFOs and settings are all discussed.

• NN-19: The Keymap (08:48) - An up-close look at the keymap and it's functions. Arranging and adjusting samples are discussed in detail.

• NN-19: Sampling & Resampling (12:46) - Showing the process of creating a new instrument in NN-19, and how to resample a sound for further editing and arrangement. The basic principles of sampling in Reason 5, and the rear panel of the NN-19 are covered here as well.

• NN-19: The Oscillator (03:50) - A description of the driving oscillator for NN-19 and it's settings. Including the amp envelope and the oscillator's function within the synth.

• NN-19: The Filter (04:02) - A look at the filter, it's modes and settings and it's envelope settings. The LFO is also discussed here.

• NN-19: Creative Possibilities (09:03) - A few tips and tricks for the NN-19, as well as a description of the limitations and advantages of the NN-19 vs. the NN-XT such as parameter automation and sample start time.

NN-XT

• NN-XT: First Look (05:26) - An identifying look at the NN-XT. Including detailed descriptions of all of the sections and settings in the NN-XT and it's internal signal flow. Differences between NN-19 and NN-XT's handling of samples and layers are discussed here.

• NN-XT: The Keymap (16:10) - Learning about NN-XTs more advanced keymap and the concepts of zones and zone parameters, groups and group settings and assignments. Multiple output sections are covered here as well.

• NN-XT: The Amp Section (02:57) - Looking briefly at the Amp section and it's special envelope as well as it's global settings and how they affect the current instrument.

• NN-XT: Filter & Mods (04:57) - Learning about the filter section, the mod envelope, the LFOs and the pitching options for each. Velocity and Mod Wheel settings are covered here as well.

• NN-XT: Zone Parameters (10:20) - A detailed description of all the zone parameters and how they are used within instruments. Techniques including looping, tuning and alternate sample triggering are covered here.

• NN-XT: Creative Possibilities (12:30) - A collection of tips and tricks for the advanced NN-XT user to aid in the creation of both traditional and non-traditional patches and facilitate a better workflow in Reason 5.

ReDrum

• ReDrum: First Look (06:21) - Identifying and describing the various sections and settings of the Redrum's front panel. The pattern sequencer, channels, channel settings and unique qualities of Redrum are overviewed.

• ReDrum: The Channels (08:56) - Learning about the three different types of channels in Redrum and their settings. Also discussed, loading samples and instruments.

• ReDrum: The Pattern Sequencer (06:11) - An in-depth look at sequencing patterns, editing patterns and playing them in your tracks. Including a brief description of pattern editing and arrangement in the arrange window.

• ReDrum: The Rear Panel (05:44) - A look at using the individual outputs and gate controls to further advance knowledge of Redrum's inner workings and signal flow.

• ReDrum: Creative Possibilities (07:57) - A few tips and tricks for out-of-the-box Redrum users. Techniques including gating, layering and pattern triggering are discussed here.

Dr. Octo Rex

• Dr. Octo Rex: First Look (03:03) - A descriptive overview of the front panel sections available in Dr. Octo Rex. Including the loop window, envelopes, LFO and modulators. Working with REX loops is also briefly discussed here.

• Dr. Octo Rex: The Loop Window (04:54) - Learning about loading REX files, manipulating them and becoming familiar with the settings available in the loop window. Also, becoming familiar with the principles of slice-based loop manipulation.

• Dr. Octo Rex: Slice Edit Mode (05:31) - Using slice edit mode to alter the REX files we have loaded into the Octo Rex on a per-slice basis. Settings, parameters and techniques are discussed in-depth. The multi-slice output section of the rear panel is discussed here as well.

• Dr. Octo Rex: Manipulating Loops (07:50) - A look at how to use all 8 of Dr. Octo Rex's slots to manipulate loops in real-time as well as translating loops to MIDI data and editing MIDI-triggered slices through Edit mode in the arrange window.

• Dr. Octo Rex: Global Settings (04:18) - Envelopes, the filter modes and settings, the LFO, the amp section and the performance modulators are all reviewed here in detail.

• Dr. Octo Rex: Creative Possibilities (06:00) - Exciting techniques using the Dr. Octo Rex and some of its hidden purposes. Techniques including gate triggering, ReGroove user groove definition and creative button assignments are discussed.

Kong

• Kong: First Look (04:08) - Learning to identify and use every part of Kong's front panel and learning the signal flow through the device. The different kinds of synth and sampling modules available and the effects options are described and named.

• Kong: The Pads (12:59) - Learning about the functionality and purpose of the pads as well as understanding Kong's pad assignments and settings section.

• Kong: Physical Modeling (09:56) - An in-depth look at the 3 Physical Modeling modules in Kong. Including techniques to achieve popular and useful sounds.

• Kong: Synth Modeling (05:42) - An up-close view of all 4 Synth Modeling modules in Kong. Including techniques to achieve popular and useful sounds.

• Kong: NN-Nano Sampler (06:23) - Looking at the playback of sampled material through the NN-Nano and it's multitude of settings and uses.

• Kong: Nurse REX Loop Player (09:02) - Looking at the mini-REX player inside Kong and it's trigger types, functions and settings. Learning how to use chunks and slices in Kong Kits.

• Kong: The Effects (17:36) - The variety of effects modules and their parameters are covered here. Also, we look deeper at the bus routing, and master FX sections.

• Kong: The Rear Panel (07:34) - A closer look at Kong's rear panel, multiple output and external effects options. Including using the gate triggers and aux sends.

• Kong: Creative Possibilities (08:41) - Looking deeper in Reason 5 and Kong to explore new possibilities and interesting methods of achieving the sound you want.