Master Class: All the More Reason

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Kurt Kurasaki

           
 

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Performance-Controller Modulation

MIDI Notes and recorded performance-controller information from the pitch-bend and mod wheels are embedded in a note lane clip, which is incompatible with automation tracks. It is possible to enter the Clip Editor, manually copy the vector automation for Modulation Wheel or Pitch Bend, and paste it into a new automation clip. Also, performance-controller clips can be transformed through a Reason 4 Combinator, which recognizes Pitch Bend and Modulation Wheel as modulation sources. After nesting a target device in a Combinator, copy the performance clip to the Combinator track, and route Pitch Bend and Modulation Wheel to parameters on devices nested in the Combi subrack.

You can also route performance-controller automation through RPG-8. The arpeggiator features a MIDI-to-Control Voltage converter, and when the Arpeggiator button is off, then incoming MIDI Note, Pitch Bend, Mod Wheel, Aftertouch, Expression, Breath Controller, and Sustain messages are converted to control voltages. The corresponding CV signals can be routed to control various parameters for devices in the rack. One benefit of this feature is that it gives you the ability to invert modulations through a Spider CV splitter. For example, inverting Pitch Bend data through a Spider CV splitter can modulate a different device's pitch CV input to achieve a simultaneous reverse pitch bend.

Transport Automation

FIG. 3: Here you see time signature changes and measure adjustments along the timeline. Time signature changes keep the timeline consistent for fractional measure breaks.

Reason 4's transport-automation features make it possible to create interesting musical changes and transitions. Even if you don't plan to compose with meter changes, time signature automation is useful for introducing truncated transition points at the end of a phrase, and tempo automation can add excitement or dramatic pause (see Fig. 3). To insert time signature automation, enable the automation lane by clicking on the Transport Sequencer track, select Time Signature from the Automation pull-down menu, and pencil in a clip for the duration of the song.

To mix things up in an arrangement, try using a transition with a duration of one or two beats by changing the time signature to 1/4 or 1/2 meter. For instance, to insert a 2beat break at measure 9, start by inserting a 2-beat space in the sequence. Move the Left Loop locator to measure 9 and the Right Loop locator to position 9.3.1.0. Then select Insert Bars Between Locators from the Edit menu. This inserts empty space in the sequence and adds a 1/2 meter time-signature automation event.

Because short transitions can interrupt a song's natural flow, they provide a useful point at which to add tempo changes to a track. As the sequence nears a 2-beat transition point, insert a ritardando (a decrease in tempo); after the transition, restore the original tempo. You can explore tempo automation by starting with the 2-beat transition I've described. First, enable the tempo-automation track and draw in a clip from position 8.3.1.0 through to measure 9. Add a vector point at the beginning of the clip that is equal to the current tempo. (For example, if the tempo is 120 bpm, then the new vector point should be 120 bpm.) Next, add a second vector point with a lower tempo at the end of the clip. Pencil in a new clip through measure 9, and add a single breakpoint with the lower tempo. During the last two beats of measure 8, the tempo slows down going into the transition, and at measure 10, the song resumes at its normal tempo and meter.

ReGroove Management

The ReGroove Mixer is a powerful quantization tool that adds a touch of human feel to sequenced music. Though its primary function is to adjust event timing, ReGroove also transforms note Velocity and length according to preset groove templates. Reason's ample sequencer resolution lets you explore very subtle timing shifts.

Groove templates can be (and often are) longer than one measure, and the template repeats throughout the duration of the sequence. To properly align a ReGroove template with the sequence, set the Anchor Point value to the measure where the sequence begins. If a sequence starts on measure 3, for example, then set the Anchor Point value to 3. Template timings may appear rushed on certain beats, and when you loop a portion of the sequence, notes may disappear because the events are outside of the loop range. Setting loop points that are multiples of the Anchor Point value should prevent that from occurring.

The length of musical phrases might not correspond to the length of groove templates, which can potentially cause problems throughout an arrangement. If, for instance, you're applying a 4-measure template to a track with a 6-measure intro going into the first verse, the groove on the verse will reflect the third measure of the template. This may unpleasantly alter the sequence, but you can correct the problem by using time signature automation. ReGroove templates align to clips on the transport track's time signature lane. To arrange the groove templates, insert time signature clips across each section of the song. In the situation I've just described, pencil in a 6-measure time-signature automation clip, and then pencil in a new clip for the verse, chorus, bridge, and so on. The template will begin at the start of each section along the arrangement.

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