Propellerhead Reason Books

From the beginning, Propellerhead’s Reason program has represented a new way of working with digital audio and thinking about digital music creation. Their revolutionary idea of presenting the user with an entirely self-contained rack of virtual instruments, effects, and routing devices places all of the tools needed for recording, editing, sequencing, saving and exporting at the user’s disposal in a single interface. And, as you’ll learn in Reason Books, not only can Reason be used on its own, but the ability to combine Reason with other digital audio programs through the ReWire protocol has made the program an indispensable tool in many studios that use other programs as their primary digital audio workstation.

Introducing Reason 4

In this book you’ll learn everything you need to know to create music with Reason 4. Starting with necessary information about system requirements and acquiring external hardware for your specific needs, you’ll learn how to install and configure the program. You’ll then find detailed instructions and examples that show you how to use all of the program’s included instruments, effects, and routing devices. You’ll also learn how to combine all of the various elements contained within the Reason program, ultimately culminating in important lessons on arranging, mixing, and exporting complete songs in the book’s final chapter.

Along the way you’ll also learn some very important information about digital audio, synthesizers and various synthesis techniques, digital sampling, working with MIDI, and signal processing. Much of what you learn in this book about these and other subjects will be useful to you not only in Reason 4, but also in any recording environment, whether digital or analog.

Who Should Read This Book

This book is designed for the new or intermediate Reason user who wants to gain in-depth knowledge of the program’s features and functionality, as well as for the experienced user who wants to increase their knowledge, improve their Reason workflow, and access features and functionality they may not already be familiar with. Whatever your current skill level, with Reason or with other digital audio programs, the lessons and exercises in this book will guide you toward an increased understanding of both the Reason program and digital audio in general.

How to Use This Book

Beginning-level Reason users should read Introducing Reason 4 in a linear fashion from Chapter 1 on. This is the best way to approach the text. Though each chapter is focused on specific elements of the Reason environment, information is included in each chapter that will be relevant to working with other aspects of the program. However, if you are interested only in learning about specific instruments, devices, or features, once you have read Chapters 1 and 2 you can move ahead to chapters covering topics that interest you, returning to previous chapters for reference and information as needed.

Intermediate and advanced Reason users who would like to learn about a specific instrument, device, effect or some of the new features found in Reason 4 should feel free to consult those chapters specifically. (Features introduced in Reason 4 are marked with a symbol in the margin like the one shown here.)

Introducing Reason 4 takes a tutorial, learn-by-doing approach in which virtually all major features and techniques are demonstrated by hands-on exercises. Both new and experienced users should plan to study this book with Reason and possibly a MIDI hardware device up and running. Experienced users who intend to use this book for learning about specific features may plan to skip Chapter 2, but be sure to see the section there called “Setting Preferences for the Rest of This Book”; it covers important information about setting up Reason’s preferences for working with the exercises found in Chapters 3
through 10.

How This Book Is Organized

Chapter 1, “Getting Started,” covers the basic information you need to get started with Reason 4, including hardware considerations, installing, and configuring Reason.
Chapter 2, “Working in Reason,” covers basic information about Reason’s interface, instruments, and effects including basic operation techniques, terms, and concepts.
Chapter 3, “The Dr. Rex Loop Player,” looks at using the Dr. Rex device to play and edit loops along with working with REX loops in the Reason sequencer.
Chapter 4, “The Redrum Drum Computer,” is a comprehensive look at Reason’s drum sampler device. Topics include creating and editing drum kits and recording and sequencing complete drum tracks.
Chapter 5, “Reason’s Synthesizers,” covers the basics of digital synthesis along with the details and functionality contained within all three of Reason’s synthesizer devices: the SubTractor Analog Synthesizer, the Malström Graintable Synthesizer, and the Thor Polysonic Synthesizer.
Chapter 6, “Reason’s Samplers,” includes information about the basics of digital sampling along with in-depth looks at both of Reason’s included sampler devices, the NN-19 and the newer, more advanced NN-XT.
Chapter 7, “Reason’s Effects,” cover’s each of Reason’s many included signal processing effects and their individual uses, including the uses and features of Reason’s advanced patch loading effects.
Chapter 8, “Other Devices and Features,” looks at the Reason devices and features that don’t fit neatly in to the instruments or effects categories, including the Matrix Pattern Sequencer, BV512 Vocoder and the new RPG-8 Monophonic Arpeggiator.
Chapter 9, “The Combinator,” is a detailed look at Reason’s Combinator device, which allows you to create and save Reason instruments and effects in simple or complex configurations you can recall whenever needed.
Chapter 10, “Arranging, Mixing, and Exporting,” covers all of the important information you’ll need to finish your Reason projects, including an in-depth look at Reason 4’s new sequencer functionality and using Reason in conjunction with other digital audio programs via ReWire.

What’s on the CD

The CD included with this book contains files to be used in conjunction with many of the book’s tutorials. This includes samples, loops and patches for Reason’s instruments and other devices as well as complete Reason songs that demonstrate the results of specific exercises. The CD also features an exclusive Reason ReFill featuring REX loops from

Check before you buy - Before you buy this book you can download and read sample pages. This is the easiest way to confirm the quality of this book and to check if it suits your needs.

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Introducing Reason 4

Electronic musicians, rockers, rappers, and regular folks use Reason virtual studio software to create and self-record studio-quality music on PCs and Macs. This book shows you how to harness all the tools of this popular package to produce your own professional sound.

Veteran studio engineer and professional musician Cliff Truesdell explains everything you need to get going from Reason's full array of virtual instruments, effects, and functions to priceless inside-the-studio insights and tips you can use to start creating original pieces right away.

Propellerhead Reason 4 Tips and Tricks

Ideal for beginners, intermediate and experienced users, the book covers topics from advice on computer audio setups and operating systems through to working methods, linking Reason with other programs and using your own sounds and custom racks.

Other topics include expert tips on using all the instruments such as the new Thor Polysonic Synthesizer, tools and effects, the ReGroove mixer, recording and sequencing, detailed MIDI editing and parameter automation. It even tells you how to mix down and publish your tracks.

Propellerhead Reason 4 Tips and Tricks is an invaluable everyday companion to help you get the most out of Reason.

In this book, you will learn how to:

Link Reason to other programs
Learn to use your own sounds and custom racks
Master recording and editing of MIDI
Automate tracks and play Reason live
Mix and master your tracks with the MClass effects

Contents

1 Setting up, Before you start. Mac or PC. Installing Reason. Preferences. MIDI settings. Sound locations.

2 Working methods, The Concept. The Transport panel. The Browser.

3 Creating devices, The Tool palette. Tips for working with devices. Types of devices. ReWire.

4 The Mixer, Aux returns. Send effects. The Master Fader. Tips for mixing music. The Channel Strip. The Line Mixer.

5 The Sequencer, Sequencer basics. Working with sequencer tracks. Vector based automation. Working with tracks, lanes and clips. Tempo and time signature automation. The Matrix Pattern Sequencer. The RPG-8 Arpeggiator.

6 Recording, Quantizing. Change Events. Locking Surfaces. Keyboard Control. Using your own samples. Real Time Automation recording.

7 The ReGroove mixer

8 Thor Polysonic Synthesizer

9 The Combinator

10 The NN-19 Sampler, Use your own samples. The Front Panel.

11 The ReDrum, Step recording. Sequencer recording. Pattern programming.

12 The Dr:Rex Player

13 The NN-XT Sampler

14 The Subtractor

15 The Malström, Around the back.

16 The effect devices, Insert or Send? Which effect to choose? Scream 4. RV7000. Additional effects units. The MClass effects. BV512 Vocoder.

17 Exporting from Reason, Exporting in real time. A note about ReWire. Checking everything. Sharing and publishing.

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Propellerhead Reason 4 Tips and Tricks

This book covers everything you need to know about using Reason in your everyday music-making. It will let you unlock the full creative potential of your software by giving you the inside track on how to make the best and most effective use of it.

Ideal for beginners, intermediate and experienced users, the book covers topics from advice on computer audio setups and operating systems through to working methods, linking Reason with other programs and using your own sounds and custom racks.

Reason 4 Ignite

Reason 4 Ignite helps you get up to speed in Reason quickly by dropping you right into the action with the authoras guidance so that before you know it, you are really in the Reason groove. This book is not hard work. You will not find long lists of features and difficult theoretical explanations to wrap your head around. Instead, in each chapter you will immediately be led through relatively short groups of simple, foolproof steps. At the end of each short exercise, youall hear the results of your work - instant gratification.

You will experience in real time what it feels like to make Reason work for you, and your understanding will grow. Youall learn to take control of the synths, such as Thor, MalstrAm and Subtractor; the NN-19 and NN-XT samplers; and all the effects and other devices that make up this incredible music-making program. Screenshots and step-by-step instructions guide you through the various new features of Reason 4.

Perfect for beginners, this book contains easy-to-follow explanations of features that would typically confuse readers.
Covers Reason 4, the latest version of this extremely popular program.
Contains many large screenshots with numbered callouts that explain what is happening in the illustration.
Stays directly on topic, explaining how to learn Reason quickly and use it to become more productive immediately.

Reviews from Amazon

"Reason 4 Power is hands down the best resource for any Reason 4 user. For those just starting out it guides you through the basics. This guy does everything, but make the music for you. For the seasoned or exprienced Reason 4 user he give such a close up view of each device in Reason 4 that even professional users will learn more about this music making software. I have been using Reason since Version 3, produced music that has been commercially released, but this book rekindled my fire for this software. The book reads as if the author is standing right next to you pointing at the screen tellin you what to do to and how to do it."

"This is the perfect introductory book to Reason 4.0. This book will get you up and running with Reason 4.0 very quickly and is a great reference. I've never touched Reason before and this book made learning the software a breeze. My understanding about synthesis has increased exponentially. If Reason 4.0 is the first version of Reason you have ever used, I would highly recommend this book. If you have used previous versions of Reason then this book does cover the new features in 4.0 but most of it will be old news to you."

"I bought this book as a completely new user to Reason. This book was very helpful in understanding the baiscs of Reason and how to use all the specific tools. However, this book goes into great detail about the more subtle aspects about Reason as well, so it is useful for advanced users also. The book is written well, so it is easy to follow. Highly recommended."

"This book is a great overview of all the processors and effects in Reason 4.0. It will not tell you how to make your music come to life, but it does describe nearly every little "tweak-able" knob in the whole program. So it is great for Reason beginners, especially those who do not have much rack experience. If you are serious, and confused, get this book. I cannot not, however, say it is better than any other books that might be out there. I have not compared it to any other books."

No book preview available

Reason 4 Ignite

Reason 4 Ignite! helps you get up to speed in Reason quickly by dropping you right into the action with the author’s guidance so that before you know it, you are really in the Reason groove!

This book is not hard work. You will not find long lists of features and difficult theoretical explanations to wrap your head around. Instead, in each chapter you will immediately be led through relatively short groups of simple, foolproof steps.

Reason 4 Power!

Get ready to put the power of Reason 4 to work! This comprehensive guide shows you how to get the most out of this popular music production program, while providing insights and tips that not only teach you the program but will help you make better music.

You'll start with a brief introduction to the basics of computer music and putting together your studio and then quickly move on to the business of creating a song. You'll explore all the various tools and synths that Reason offers, including the Sequencer, reMix, Redrum, Subtractor, Malström, Thor, NN-19 and NN-XT, the Matrix, RPG-8, the Combinator, the MClass mastering suite, and much, much more. By the time you're finished, you'll be ready to synchronize Reason with other music-making programs, use automation, and mix and publish your creations to CD or to the Web.

Reviews from Amazon

"AS You may know by now, the ability to create a product and the ability to write documentation explaining it often do not exist in the same building.Luckily in the software world you have so-called third -party documentation. Hence this very useful book. I put off uprgrading to Reason 4.0 until this book became available. This book will really help you dive into the program. The weird thing is I was actually waiting for Reason Ignite which has more page space devoted to pictures than text. Turns out this book came out first so I got it. I would everything in ignite is covered in POWER, BUt Power goes into actually recommend" Ignite" because it is even simpler especially if you NEVER owned reason. Power and Ignite totally overlap in the sense that slightly more depth -more textand examples -but Ignite will make it easier and more enjoyable to learn. I have both but if I had to buy one it would be Ignite."

"Reason 4 Power is hands down the best resource for any Reason 4 user. For those just starting out it guides you through the basics. This guy does everything, but make the music for you. For the seasoned or exprienced Reason 4 user he give such a close up view of each device in Reason 4 that even professional users will learn more about this music making software. I have been using Reason since Version 3, produced music that has been commercially released, but this book rekindled my fire for this software. The book reads as if the author is standing right next to you pointing at the screen tellin you what to do to and how to do it."

"This is the perfect introductory book to Reason 4.0. This book will get you up and running with Reason 4.0 very quickly and is a great reference. I've never touched Reason before and this book made learning the software a breeze. My understanding about synthesis has increased exponentially. If Reason 4.0 is the first version of Reason you have ever used, I would highly recommend this book. If you have used previous versions of Reason then this book does cover the new features in 4.0 but most of it will be old news to you."

"I bought this book as a completely new user to Reason. This book was very helpful in understanding the baiscs of Reason and how to use all the specific tools. However, this book goes into great detail about the more subtle aspects about Reason as well, so it is useful for advanced users also. The book is written well, so it is easy to follow. Highly recommended."

"If you are starting or even you are an expert with synths, this is a very nice an helpful book to be always with you.Very comprehensive guide, will introduce you in the art of making music using Reason 4.The author did a very good work here because he teaches you all the features in Reason's software.
So add it right now in your shopping cart....you won't regret it."

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Reason 4 Power!

Fast Guide to Propellerhead Reason

The "Fast Guide to Propellerhead Reason" is the book Reason users have been waiting for to help them get the very best from Propellerhead's amazing electronic music studio software.

This in-depth guide, now in it's third edition, takes you through every separate REason device, including the analogue-style SubTractor synth, the amazing Malstrom Graintrable synth, the two easy-to-use sample players, the funky Dr: rex loop player, the vintage-style ReDrum drum computer, the versatile Combinator, powerful MClass effects and the quick and simple sequencer.

In addition, all the devices and changes introduced with the V3 update are covered, including the new Remote technology and enhanced broser and workflow improvements.

Every control and function is explained in the kind of language you can understand, with invaluable insights as to practical and off-the-wall uses of device facilities along the way.

Frequent walkthroughs of both standard and more exotic techniques are introduced at the points where you will find them most useful, and step-by-step programming tutorials help you increase your hands-on skills with Reason, as well as creating unusual and indispensable effects that will spead the creation of your music and enhance its appeal.

The book is also packed with handy hints and tips. This is not a re-tread of the manual!

Reviews from Amazon

"The book starts well, with a tutorial taking you through a basic song but from then on, you're on your own. The rest of the book is devoted to in depth studies of the various Reason components. Some longer tutorials of more complex songs would have been helpful. So if you are new to music making I don't think this is the book for you."

"This book is Excellent and gives step by step tutorials and explains what everything is, how to use it, and why. Includes plenty of screen shots to help you understand and different useful tips. Within half an hour of readin it i was using reason to make their tutorial song. Its suitable for versions of reason up to 2.0 (based really upon 2.0), and also covers issues to do with MAC users.Highly recommended for beginers to Reason, like myself."

"Very in-depth Reason manual, but only goes up to Reason 2, doesn't cover Scream, etc. Nice if an updated version was produced, nevertheless plenty here to be getting on with in the mean time! Gear used; Pentium 4 1300 Mhz, 512 MB RAM, 4-octave MIDI keyboard."

No book preview available

Fast Guide to Propellerhead Reason

This in-depth guide takes you through every separate Reason device, including the analog-style SubTractor synth, the amazing Malstrom Graintable synth, the two easy-to-use sample players, the funky Dr. Rex loop player, the vintage-style Redrum drum computer, and the quick-and-simple sequencer.

Ask Video Reason 4.0 DVD Tutorial

Ask Video Reason 4 DVD Tutorial Over 5 hours of instruction on Propellerhead's Reason version 4 by Morgan Pottruff, aka Morg (author of the Live and Melodyne Tutorial DVD).

Reason version 4 is a virtual studio rack rebuilt from the ground up with all the tools and instruments you need to turn your ideas into music. Morg will show you all the new features - a brand new sequencer, a revolutionary groove tool, a stunning arpeggiator and Thor, the synths to end all synths.

This DVD is packed with detail not seen before. If you want to get your head around Reason quickly then you'll want to watch this DVD! Morg shows you Reason in some incredible ways through the extra 'Tips and Tricks' sections that really show off the power under the hood. If you own any version of Reason, especially version 4, then you need to own this DVD!

If you are looking for a SURE FIRE way to learn everything you need to produce music using Reason 4.0, THIS is the DVD for YOU. I have used the Ask Video Reason 3.0 DVD, and they will give you step by step details on the instruments and effects within Reason.

41 Videos
Over 5 hours of instructional video
Extremely high quality tutorial videos
Easy to use interface
Great for users of all Reason versions.
DVD-Rom - Mac OS X & PC compatible

41 videos and over 5 hours of instruction on Reason by Morgan Pottruff

Reason DVD Content: 41 High Quality Videos:

Mac & PC
Installation PC
Installation Mac
First Run
Preferences: General
Preferences: Audio
Preferences: MIDI
The Menus
Concepts
Your First Song
Guided Tour 1
Guided Tour 2
The Mixer & the Line Mixer
Redrum
Subtractor
Malström
NN-19
NN-XT
Dr Rex - example video
Matrix
BV512 Vocoder
Effects 1
Effects 2
The Combinator
The Regroove Mixer
Thor 1 - example video
Thor 2
RPG-8 Arpeggiator
Sound Organization
Sequencer 1
Sequencer 2
Sequencer 3
CV - example video
Rewire & Rebirth
Remote & Adv. MIDI
Synchronization
The Final Mix
Publishing Your Song
Key Commands
Tips and Tricks 1 - example video
Tips and Tricks 2

System Compatibility:

This product includes QuickTime 7.x Mac/PC which is required for video playback. DVD-Rom drive required. Minimum screen resolution 1024 x 768.

PC: Windows XP Home or Professional, Intel Pentium or AMD Athlon 800 MHz or faster, 256 MB RAM. Windows MME or DirectSound Sound Card.
MAC: Requires Mac OS X v10.2 or higher, Power Mac G4 867 MHz, 256 MB RAM, Sound Card.

Reason 4 DVD Tutorial

Over 5 hours of instruction on Propellerhead's Reason version 4 by Morgan Pottruff, aka Morg (author of the Live and Melodyne Tutorial DVD).

Reason version 4 is a virtual studio rack rebuilt from the ground up with all the tools and instruments you need to turn your ideas into music. Morg will show you all the new features - a brand new sequencer, a revolutionary groove tool, a stunning arpeggiator and Thor, the synths to end all synths.