Reason Explained

Music production wiz Thomas Cochran presents comprehensive Reason video tutorials! If you're ready to make Reason the DAW of your choice and take advantage of its impressive host of features like Reason Rack and huge collection of virtual instruments, this course is for you. Thomas systematically takes you through the important, foundational elements of this DAW, explaining and demonstrating each with helpful examples so you're putting your newfound skills to use as you go. These videos are for new Reason users.

First Steps

• Introduction & Setup (07:49) - Thomas introduces the software and provides a brief overview of how to set up Reason's preferences so audio can be played back.

• Sections of the Software (09:01) - Learn the main sections of the software and what they are used for. This video provides you with a brief overview of the various sections of the software before diving in-depth.

• Creating Instruments & Browsing (10:59) - Get a detailed look at the browser and how it can be used to load and organize Reason's devices. Loading favorites and changing presets will also be covered.

• Transport Controls & Sequencer Controls (12:28) - Explore the transport section in more detail, as well as the basic sequencer and navigation controls.

• Device Handling in the Rack (07:30) - Discover how to load, arrange, and re-wire devices inside of Reason's rack. This video shows the basics of Reason's modular workflow and how to keep things organized.

The Basics

• Recording MIDI (06:21) - Learn how to setup MIDI keyboards and controllers inside of Reason. If you don't have an external keyboard, this video also covers how to use your computer keyboard as a MIDI controller.

• Basic MIDI Editing (13:56) - This video takes the MIDI recording from the last video and uses it to demonstrate the basic MIDI editing features. We also take a look at how to draw in clips manually when you don't want to record in MIDI sequences.

• Recording Audio (06:41) - Learn the basics of recording audio, from configuring audio tracks to recording any audio sequence through your audio interface.

• Basic Audio Editing (08:06) - Explore the basic audio editing features available in Reason's sequencer, including things like slicing, pitch adjustment, fades, and time stretching.

Reason Devices

• Drum Instruments (08:52) - Next, we start talking about the different instrument devices inside of Reason. This video will focus on the drum instruments and the types of sounds they can create.

• Instruments (08:58) - Explore the melodic instrument devices, like synthesizers, and see how they're used to create melodic parts for your songs.

• Effects (07:36) - Learn how effects are used to modify instruments and audio tracks in various ways. These devices unlock lots of creative possibilities for your music.

• Utilities (08:25) - Discover Reason's utilities, which are devices that modify incoming audio and CV data in various different ways.

• Players (08:48) - Player devices are Reason's version of MIDI effects. They modify note data in various different ways to create interesting musical and rhythmic sequences.

• Combinators (09:51) - This video jumps into the Combinators devices in more detail and how they can be used to store, organize, and edit complex instrument devices.

• CV Devices (07:37) - Learn the basics of using control voltage in Reason. In this video, we'll use a simple external LFO to control a filter on a Thor synth.

• VSTs in Reason (08:43) - Explore VST plugins in Reason and see how they can be used in your productions.

Advanced Editing

• Intro to Automation (05:26) - This video provides the basics of automation in Reason and demonstrates how it can be used to make your tracks more dynamic.

• Audio Pitch Editing (11:11) - Discover the depth of Reason's powerful vocal pitch editor. This can be used for anything from natural-sounding vocal correction to complete reworking of vocal melodies.

• Audio Slice & Comp Editing (05:45) - Learn how to use the audio slice editor and the comp editor functions. These can rework existing audio material to create new performances from your recording and loops.

Additional Features

• Mixer Controls (13:32) - Now we take a detailed look at Reason's mixer and the various controls available.

• Reason Rack Plug-in (03:36) - This video provides a brief look into the Reason Rack plugin and how it can be used in other DAW programs.

• Reason+ Companion (02:50) - Explore the Reason+ Companion app and learn how it can be used as a sample library for inspiring presets and song starters.

• Exporting & Managing Projects (05:13) - In this final video of the course, we take a look at some project management features and also see how to export your audio creations.