This document provides instructions for using various features of the Reason music production software. It includes the following steps: 1) How to open Reason and ensure work is saved properly 2) How to access the mixer window to adjust equalization, volumes, and other sound properties 3) How to access drum machines like Redrum and use their pattern sequencers and channel settings 4) How to use samplers like NN-XT and access their advanced sampling and sound design functions 5) How to create and use synth tracks, including adjusting oscillator waveforms and other synthesis parameters 6) How to create and use loops in your music

1. GUIDE TO REASON
By William Mclellan

2. HOW TO OPEN REASON
• Click on applications
• Open the music tab
• Click on the Propeller Head ‘Reason’ tab
• Then click ‘run multi- licence’ otherwise your work will not be
saved!
Key:
Blue shape = Click
Red shape = DO NOT CLICK

3. HOW TO GET ON TO THE MIXER
Click

4. HOW TO USE THE MIXER
EQ allows you to boost and cut certain frequencies. Humans can hear between 30hz
and 18,000khz. An equalizer will break that up into sections. The most basic will just
be a tone control with a bass boost at one end and treble boost at the other. Next
most simple is a separate control for bass and treble. Then someone thought of
adding a ‘mids’ control to adjust the frequencies that were neither high or low. This is
a ‘three band’ equalizer. Most decent amps these days will have at least a five band
equalizer. The more bands, the more ‘fine’ control you have over the overall sound.
Master volume control
Volume control

5. HOW TO GET TO THE DRUMS
Click on the mixer
Click
Click Click

6. HOW TO USE REDRUMS
Redrum is a ten channel drum machine which uses a pattern
sequencer to create drum parts. The number of the steps represent
semiquavers and can be adjusted down from 16. Each channel allows
you to control the individual patch of the kit, for example pan, bass,
treble.

7. HOW TO CREATE A SAMPLER
Click
The NN-XT is a highly
advanced sampler with an
impressive list of features
and functions to it.

8. HOW TO USE SAMPLER
Click
Click here
to open
sampler
functions
http://www.soundonsound.com/
sos/sep10/articles/reason-technique-
0910.htm

9. HOW TO CREATE A SYNTH TRACK
Click

10. HOW TO USE A SYNTH TRACK
Oscillator- Oscillation itself
is the production of a
certain type of waveform
which produces a different
sound depending on the
shape of the waveform.
These are the different types of sounds you can use:
Saw wave- shaped like the teeth on a saw blade, this produces a very common sharp, biting tone.
Square Wave - looks like a perfect square and produces a hollow sound.
Pulse Wave - a variation on the above, the pulse wave is half as wide as a square wave, and has the
unique ability to have its width modulated (called ‘Pulse Width Modulation').
Triangle Wave - unsurprisingly shaped like a triangle, this sounds somewhere in between a saw wave
and a sine wave.
Sine Wave - a smooth rising and falling shape (like a horizontal ‘S'), this produces a mild, soft tone.
Noise - not exactly a waveform, but a source of sound produced by a certain colour of noise.

11. HOW TO LOOP
Loop
Click

12. STEP TIME
1. Click in notes using the mouse.
2. Use the Computer numeric keypad and type the letter keys on the keyboard
3. Use a MIDI Keyboard (or MIDI Controller) and enter the notes and rests one
at a time.