Propellerhead Reason - 5.0 User Manual
Getting Started
Version
5
Getting Started Manual by Fredrik Hylvander and Anders Nordmark
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the
part of Propellerhead Software AB. The software described herein is subject to a License Agreement and may not
be copied to any other media except as specifically allowed in the License Agreement. No part of this publication
may be copied, reproduced or otherwise transmitted or recorded, for any purpose, without prior written permission
by Propellerhead Software AB.
©2010 Propellerhead Software and its licensors. All specifications subject to change without notice. Reason and
Record are trademarks of Propellerhead Software. All other commercial symbols are protected trademarks and
trade names of their respective holders. All rights reserved.
Copyright notice for Adobe® Flash® Player:
Adobe® Flash® Player. Copyright © 1998 - 2010. Adobe Systems Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. Patents
pending in the United States and other countries. Adobe and Flash are either trademarks or registered trademarks
in the United States and/or other countries.
Table of Contents
Installation 7
Welcome! 8
About the manuals 8
What is in the Reason package? 9
Requirements 9
About the Audio Hardware 10
About MIDI Interfaces 12
Installing the Software 13
Setting Up 15
About this Chapter 16
First run - Reason Setup Wizard 16
About the Preferences 18
Setting up the Audio Hardware 19
Setting up MIDI 21
Setting up the Default Song 25
Guided Tour 27
About this Chapter 28
Guided Tour 28
TABLE OF CONTENTS
4
Tutorial 1 - Playing a Song 43
About this tutorial 44
Playing a Song 44
Tutorial 2 - Playing devices and selecting
sounds 47
About this tutorial 48
Adding a mixer and an instrument device 48
Selecting a patch 51
Adding an effect 52
Tutorial 3 - Creating a drum pattern 55
Creating a drum pattern 56
Tutorial 4 - Recording a bass line 59
About this tutorial 60
Browsing for a bass sound 60
Recording notes in the sequencer 62
Tutorial 5 - Adding a REX loop 67
About this tutorial 68
Adding a REX loop 68
TABLE OF CONTENTS
5
Tutorial 6 - Adding an arpeggio 71
About this tutorial 72
Adding an arpeggio 72
Automating a parameter 74
Index 75
6
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter
Installation
1
Welcome!
Thank you for purchasing Reason!
Ten years have passed since we released Reason to the world and you are holding the fifth major version
of Reason in your hands - a version adding the mighty Kong Drum Designer and the updated REX player
Dr. Octo Rex to your rack, live sampling on all sampler devices, a completely new way of sequencing your
tracks, and many, many more improvements. We've added all this while maintaining the look, flow and features of the Reason you know and love. We are proud to say that this is the best version of Reason so far.
And we'll hope you'll like it just as much as we do!
A strong driving force for us at Propellerhead is communication with all the people around the world that
use our programs to realize their musical ideas. And a big part of this communication takes place on our
own user forums. This is a unique meeting place where professionals and beginners meet on equal terms
to exchange ideas. But even more importantly, it's a forum open to you! We think you will enjoy talking to
other Reason users all over the world, just as much as we'll enjoy talking to you.
See you on the Propellerhead web!
Yours truly,
The Propellerhead Software Team
www.propellerheads.se
About the manuals
This is the Getting Started Manual, a guided tour of the basic features and procedures in Reason. The
manual also includes six short tutorials to help you get going with the program.
Detailed features and operations in Reason are described in the Operation Manual, a file in Adobe Acrobat
(".pdf") format. This and other pdf documents are installed with the program - you find them in the Documentation folder inside your Reason application folder. The Operation Manual also contains reference descriptions of all Reason devices and commands.
To read the Operation Manual on Windows systems, you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader application.
Since this has become something of a household utility application, chances are you already have it installed on your computer. If not, run the Acrobat Reader installer included on the Reason installation DVD.
To read pdf files under Mac OS X, you can use Preview instead.
About Mac and Windows
Reason runs under Mac OS X and Windows (for operating system details, see below). All Reason packages contain program versions for both platforms. Everything said in the manuals applies to both platforms,
unless explicitly stated.
If you are running Mac OS X, please note that there’s an additional menu called the Reason menu, which
is not present under Windows. This contains the Preferences menu item (otherwise found on the Edit
menu).
INSTALLATION
8
What is in the Reason package?
When you purchase Reason, the package contains the following items:
The Reason 5 installation DVD
This disc contains the main Reason program installer and the Reason Factory Sound Banks, two large files
containing samples, patches and loops for use with Reason. These are copied to your hard disk the first
time you launch Reason (see “About the Sound Banks” on page 13 for more information). In addition, the
DVD contains documentation in Adobe Acrobat format, and an installer for Adobe Acrobat Reader.
The product authorization card
This contains the license number required for the installation. Keep this card in a safe place, in case you
need to re-install Reason!
! Note that if you bought Reason from the PropShop, it is already registered to your ac-
count.
The Getting Started Manual
The manual you are reading right now!
Requirements
Below you will find the minimum requirements for running Reason Version 5:
! Note that these are the minimum requirements! You will benefit from a fast computer
with a lot of RAM, since this will allow you to use more devices at the same time.
Mac OS X
• Intel Mac (multiple cores highly recommended)
• 1 GB RAM or more
•DVD drive
• Mac OS X 10.4 or later
• 2 GB free hard disk space
• Monitor with 1024x768 resolution or better
• CoreAudio compliant audio interface or built-in audio hardware
• A MIDI interface and a MIDI keyboard recommended
Windows
• Intel Pentium 4/AMD Athlon or better (multiple cores highly recommended)
• 1GB RAM or more
•DVD drive
• Windows XP SP3, Vista or Windows 7
• 2 GB free hard disk space
• Monitor with 1024x768 resolution or better
• A 16 bit Windows compatible audio card, preferably with an ASIO driver
• A MIDI interface and a MIDI keyboard recommended.
INSTALLATION
9
About the Audio Hardware
The audio hardware is the computer equipment that converts the digital signals from Reason to analog audio signals (for connection to an amplifier, headphones, or similar). It also converts analog input signals
from microphones or instruments to digital signals that Reason can sample or process in other ways. This
equipment could be a standard stereo sound card, a USB audio interface, the built-in audio hardware on a
Macintosh or some more advanced audio card with several inputs and outputs, digital connectors, etc. Regardless of which, you need to make sure the hardware and its drivers are properly installed:
Audio hardware and Mac OS X
If you are going to use only the outputs of the built-in audio hardware
In this case you don’t need to make any extra settings. Just connect the audio output to your listening
equipment (speakers, mixer, headphones or similar) and make sure your Mac plays audio properly.
If you are going to use both the inputs and outputs of the built-in audio hardware
All Mac models come with a built-in audio interface, providing stereo input and output jacks (and in some
cases a built-in microphone). Depending on your needs, the quality of these inputs and outputs may be
fully sufficient for use with Reason.
If you use Mac OS X 10.5 and later, Reason provides a number of pre-configured Input(s)+Output(s) combinations that can be accessed from the Audio tab in Preferences. However, under Mac OS X 10.4 the
system presents the built-in inputs and outputs as two or three individual audio devices. This means that,
by default, you can only select the "Built-in Output" option in Reason's Preferences. This works fine for
playback, but since you get no inputs at all, you cannot record audio.
To get access to both built-in inputs and outputs, you need to create an "Aggregate Device", combining inputs and outputs into one "virtual" audio device. This is done in the Aggregate Device Editor.
! Although Aggregate Devices can be used, regular audio devices with both inputs and
outputs have proven to be more reliable and allow lower latencies. Therefore, we recommend using external audio hardware with good Core Audio drivers instead.
Proceed as follows to create an Aggregate Device:
1. In OS X, open “Audio MIDI Setup” in the “Utilities” folder in “Applications”.
2. Select “Open Aggregate Device Editor” from the Audio menu.
10
The Aggregate Device Editor
INSTALLATION
3. In the Aggregate Device Editor, click the “+” button to create a new aggregate device.
If you like, you can rename your new aggregate device.
4. Place a tick in the “Use” check boxes for each of the Audio Devices you want to use.
For example, if you want to use the “Built-in Line Input” and “Built-in Output”, tick these two boxes.
! If you want to use the “Built-in Microphone” together with the “Built-in Output”, note that
there might be audio feedback loops if you use the computer’s internal speakers or external speaker close to the built-in microphone! We recommend NOT using the “Built-in
Microphone” option, partly because of the feedback loop problem and partly because of
the limited audio quality of the built-in microphone.
5. Click “Done” to finish and exit the Aggregate Device Editor.
6. In the Audio MIDI Setup window, choose the Aggregate Device you just created by selecting it in the “Default Input” and “Default Output” drop-down lists respectively.
7. Select your Aggregate Device from the “Properties For” drop-down list and set up the
“Format” in the drop-down lists that appear in the “Audio Input” and “Audio Output” sections at the bottom of the window.
D Choose “2ch-24bit” for best audio resolution.
8. When you’re done, exit the Audio MIDI Setup.
! If Reason was running while you created you new aggregate device, you’ll have to restart
Reason for the new aggregate to be available in the “Audio Card” drop-down list on the
“Audio” page in the Preferences dialog.
If you are using other audio hardware with your Macintosh
You may want to use other audio hardware with Reason (e.g. an audio interface with multiple outputs, digital connections, etc.). For this to be possible, the audio hardware must be compatible with Mac OS X, i.e.
there must be a Mac OS X driver available for the card.
1. Install the audio hardware and its drivers as described in its documentation.
2. Connect the stereo outputs of your audio hardware to your listening equipment (speakers, mixer, headphones or similar).
For info about how to use multiple outputs (i.e. more than a stereo output), see the Operation Manual
pdf. For now, we stick to standard stereo connections.
3. If possible, test that audio plays back OK with the audio hardware.
With some audio hardware, a test application is supplied for this purpose.
Audio hardware and Windows
! To run Reason with full audio in and audio out functionality under Windows, an ASIO
driver is required for the audio hardware.
Reason can be run with DirectX or MME drivers as well but this will only support audio out - and at
considerably higher latencies than with ASIO drivers.
• If there is no ASIO driver available, you should make sure your audio card supports DirectX.
DirectX is a Microsoft protocol for handling audio and other multimedia aspects.
• As a last resort, you could use audio cards that don’t support ASIO or DirectX, provided
that they are Windows compatible.
In this case, Reason will communicate with the audio hardware via MME (Windows Multi Media Extensions). However, most often this results in large latency values (see “About Latency and other Audio
Settings” on page 20), making real-time playback of instrument devices difficult or even impossible.
INSTALLATION
11
Regardless of which type of audio hardware or drivers you are using, you should follow these basic steps:
1. Make sure you have the latest drivers for the audio hardware!
Please check the manufacturer’s web site for the latest versions.
2. Install the audio hardware and its drivers as described in its documentation.
3. Connect the stereo outputs of your audio hardware to your listening equipment (speakers, mixer, headphones or similar).
For information about how to use multiple outputs (i.e. more than a stereo output), see the Operation
Manual pdf. For now, we stick to standard stereo connections.
4. If possible, test that audio plays back properly with the audio hardware.
In the case of audio hardware with ASIO drivers, you will need some test application for this (often included with the audio hardware). If you are using DirectX or MME drivers, you can use Windows’ Media
Player application for this.
About MIDI Interfaces
While it is possible to use Reason without an external MIDI controller (by playing patterns and loops only,
or drawing notes and automation in the sequencer), this would not allow you to use the program to its full
potential. From now on we assume that you are using a MIDI interface and some kind of external MIDI
controller (typically a MIDI keyboard with a built-in USB interface).
D When installing the MIDI interface and its drivers, follow the instructions in its documen-
tation carefully.
• While a MIDI interface with a single input is sufficient, you will benefit from having two or
more individual inputs.
This is especially true if you want to manipulate Reason parameters with additional MIDI control surface devices or use the program in conjunction with an external, stand-alone sequencer, groove machine or similar.
• For some MIDI interfaces connected via USB, no driver installation is required. Just plug
in the interface and you’re ready to go!
• For other, more advanced MIDI interfaces (or at least to take advantage of more advanced features, like multiple inputs) you will need to install a driver.
Please consult the documentation that came with the interface for details.
MIDI Connections
D Simply connect the USB cable from your keyboard to your computer.
Although many USB MIDI keyboards are “plug-and-play”, some may require a driver to be installed.
Consult the documentation that came with your MIDI keyboard or visit the manufacturer’s web site.
Drivers are usually downloadable.
Or
D Connect a MIDI cable from the MIDI Out on your MIDI keyboard (or other MIDI controller)
to a MIDI In on your MIDI interface.
This is sufficient to be able to play and record notes and controllers in Reason from the MIDI keyboard.
D If you are not using a USB keyboard, you may also connect the MIDI Out from the MIDI in-
terface to the MIDI In on your MIDI keyboard.
This is not strictly necessary to use Reason, but it will enable two-way communication when you run
the Reason Setup Wizard which appears the first time Reason is launched (see “First run - Reason
Setup Wizard” on page 16), or when using Auto-detect Surfaces in the Preferences. Whether auto-detection works or not depends on the keyboard model.
12
INSTALLATION
! If you have several MIDI control surfaces or similar that you want to use, we recommend
that you connect them to separate MIDI ports (or directly to the computer using USB).
Installing the Software
Upgrading vs. New Installations
If you are upgrading from a previous version of Reason, please note the following:
D Our recommendation is that you uninstall the previous version before installing the new
one.
Under Windows, please use the Uninstall feature.
Under Mac OS X, just drag the program files to the Trash.
Uninstalling will ensure that there is no confusion between versions and that shortcuts and aliases
point to the right files etc.
Running the Installer
Now it’s time to install the actual Reason software:
D Insert the Reason Version 5 disc into your DVD drive.
What to do next depends on whether you are installing on a Mac or a Windows computer.
Windows:
1. On the DVD, locate the file called “Install Reason” and double click on it.
Under Windows, the installer may automatically start when you insert the DVD, depending on your system settings.
2. Follow the instructions on screen.
Before executing the installation of the software components, you will be asked to select a language,
an install location, and whether you wish to create a program shortcut/alias on your desktop. When the
installation is complete, you have the option of launching Reason directly.
Mac OS X:
D On the Mac, there is only a folder called “Reason” - simply drag this to your hard disk.
About the Sound Banks
The first time you launch Reason, you will be asked to insert the Reason Version 5 disc to copy the Factory
Sound Bank and the Orkester Sound Bank. These each consist of one big file, containing a large number
of patches, samples and loops, serving as your main supply of sounds (much like the sound ROM in a synthesizer).
These are copied to your hard disk and are required to run the program.
INSTALLATION
13
Launching the program
Now, the Reason files have been installed in a folder on your hard disk. Under Windows, all Reason related
items have also been added to the Start menu and possibly you will have a Reason shortcut on the Desktop.
1. Check for any ReadMe files in the Reason folder or on the Start menu, and open and read
these.
ReadMe files may contain important last minute information that didn’t make it into this manual.
2. Launch the program by double clicking the Reason icon (or by selecting the Reason item
from the Start menu).
3. First a Licensing Agreement is shown.
Read it through and click “Agree” to proceed.
4. You will now be asked to insert the Reason Version 5 disc (if this is not already loaded).
The Factory and Orkester Sound Banks will be automatically copied into the Reason Program folder.
During this process, which will take a while, various splash screens are shown, along with a progress
meter.
5. Fill in the authorization form that appears.
Your license number can be found on the product authorization card included in the package.
At this point a dialog appears, asking you whether you want to register your copy of the program at the
Propellerhead web site. Registering gives you immediate access to various benefits such as free, extra
sounds for Reason!
! You must have a working Internet connection to be able to register on-line.
D If you click the Register Now button, your Internet browser will launch and take you to the
registration page on the Propellerhead web site.
Follow the instructions on the web page. After finishing the registration, click the Continue button in
the installation dialog.
D If you don’t want to register at this point, click the Later button.
You can register at any time by selecting Product Registration from the Contact menu (Mac) or Help
menu (Windows) in Reason (or by going to www.propellerhead.se/register).
This completes the installation and the program is opened, but a new dialog appears named “Reason
Setup Wizard” which will guide you through the basic settings needed to use Reason.
This is described in “Setting Up” on page 15 so just leave things as they are for now and go to the next
chapter...
14
INSTALLATION
Chapter
Setting Up
2
About this Chapter
This chapter describes the settings you need to make before you can start using Reason. These are necessary in order to get any sounds to and from the program and to be able to play and control Reason via
MIDI.
First run - Reason Setup Wizard
If you followed the instructions correctly in the last chapter, Reason should be running, and the first dialog
in the “Reason Setup Wizard” guide should be open.
This only appears the very first time the program is run.
! Note that the Language page only appears in the Windows version of Reason. In Mac OS
X, the selected system language is automatically used.
! Note that any settings made in the Setup Wizard can always be changed later in the Pref-
erences!
D Clicking Next will take you through a series of dialogs, where the following happens:
• The Setup Wizard will first try to find a compatible audio driver.
It will automatically select the first compatible driver it finds. If this is the driver you wish to use, fine. If
it isn’t, select your preferred driver from the Audio Card Driver pop-up. If you don’t know which driver to
use, see “Setting up the Audio Hardware” on page 19.
! To get both inputs and outputs in the same driver under Mac OS X 10.4, it is required that
you create an Aggregate Device. For information on how to do this, please see “If you are
using the built-in audio hardware in your Macintosh” on page 13.
D Next, Reason will try to auto-detect a master keyboard.
If one is found and you want to use this, click “Use” and proceed.
! For Reason to auto-detect a device you need two-way MIDI communication! Non-USB
keyboard devices without a MIDI input can of course still be added manually.
! Note that your keyboard model might not be auto-detected by Reason, even though it’s a
modern one and connects via USB. However, you can still use such a keyboard to control
Reason and use Remote in the same way as with an auto-detected keyboard.
16
SETTING UP
D If Reason can't find the keyboard you have connected, or if you clicked “Don't Use”, you
will be asked to specify a master keyboard manually.
This is done by first selecting a Manufacturer, and then a model. If your model keyboard isn’t on this list
select “Other” - see below.
D You will also have to specify a MIDI port to use.
This can be done either by selecting one of the available ports listed in the popup, or by clicking the
"Find…" button and pressing some keys on your keyboard.
D Note that if you have additional remote control surface devices in your setup, these will
have to be added in the Preferences - see “About the Preferences” on page 18.
The Setup Wizard will only establish a connected Master Keyboard device.
If all went well, you should now have established audio and MIDI communication - the basics needed to
play back audio and to direct MIDI to Reason! Reason will launch and bring up the default song.
However, if for any reason the Setup Wizard failed to establish the necessary settings, or if you wish to add
other devices etc., you have to make settings in the Preferences.
Read on...
SETTING UP
17
About the Preferences
The basic settings for audio and MIDI are done in the Preferences dialog. This is opened from the Edit
menu (or, if you are running Mac OS X, from the Reason menu).
The Preferences dialog.
q Described herein are only the most important settings in the Preferences. For informa-
tion about other Preferences settings, see the “Menu and Dialog Reference” chapter in
the Operation Manual pdf.
18
SETTING UP
Setting up the Audio Hardware
In case this wasn’t done in the Setup Wizard, you need to establish a connection between Reason and the
audio hardware. This is done by selecting a driver - a software component that acts like a link between the
program and the audio hardware. Proceed as follows:
1. In the Preferences dialog, use the pop-up menu at the top to select the Audio page.
2. Pull down the Audio Card Driver pop-up menu and select one of the options.
Which option to select depends on the platform and the audio hardware. If an option is not applicable
to your setup it will be greyed out in the dialog.
Mac OS X
Under Mac OS X it’s required that the audio hardware supports Core Audio drivers.
!
D Select the option that corresponds to the hardware you want to use (the built-in audio
connectors or some additional audio hardware that you have installed).
q If you are using Mac OS X 10.5 or later, a number of predefined combinations of built-in
inputs and outputs are also available in the Audio Card Driver pop-up.
The number of available input(s)+output(s) combinations depends of your computer’s specific configuration.
SETTING UP
19
Windows
!
To be able to use both audio inputs and outputs, it’s required that the audio hardware
supports ASIO drivers.
D If you are using audio hardware for which there is a specific ASIO driver, you should se-
lect this.
With an ASIO driver written specifically for the audio hardware, Reason can communicate more or less
directly with the audio hardware. The benefits are lower latency (see below) and possibly better support for additional hardware features such as multiple outputs.
D If there is no specific ASIO driver, you should select the Direct Sound driver for the audio
hardware.
This makes Reason communicate with the hardware via Direct Sound (a part of the Microsoft DirectX
package). You need to have DirectX installed on your computer, and there must be a Direct Sound
driver for the audio hardware. You will only be able to use audio outputs in this scenario.
D If the audio hardware doesn’t support Direct Sound (i.e. there is no Direct Sound driver
available for the audio hardware), select the MME driver.
This makes use of Windows Multimedia Extensions, the part of Windows that handles audio, MIDI, etc.
Using MME often results in larger latency values (see below). You will only be able to use audio outputs in this scenario.
About Latency and other Audio Settings
In the audio page, you will find a number of additional settings for audio. The most important ones are Buffer Size and the corresponding readout for Input and Output Latency.
The Input Latency is the delay between when the audio is “sent” from a connected microphone or instrument and when it’s received and detected by Reason. Output Latency is the delay between when audio is
“sent” from Reason and when you actually hear it. The latencies in an audio system depends on the audio
hardware, its drivers and their settings.
If the output latency is large, you will notice that the sound is delayed when you play a device from a MIDI
keyboard. You may also notice that reactions are delayed when adjusting controls on the device panels
(for example, if you lower the volume of a device, you will not hear this immediately but after the latency
time).
If you experience high latency values, you will need to make adjustments to your configuration.
D If available, use the Buffer Size slider to lower the latency.
D If the Buffer Size slider is greyed out, you may be able to lower the buffer size in the con-
trol panel for the audio hardware - click the Control Panel button to open this.
For more information, please consult the Operation Manual.
20
SETTING UP
Setting up MIDI
In Reason, MIDI keyboards or remote control devices are called control surfaces. MIDI input from control
surfaces is handled by a system called Remote. Here are some of the main features:
• You can use any number of control surfaces at the same time.
• The program supports a large number of control surfaces out of the box - knobs, faders
and buttons on the surfaces are automatically mapped to the most useful parameters on
the Reason devices.
You don’t have to change the settings on the control surface to control different devices in Reason - if
you change MIDI focus from a Subtractor track to a Malström track, the control surface will automatically adapt. You just set up your control surface once and for all for use with Reason - the program
handles the rest!
• For control surfaces that are not natively supported at this stage, you can use generic
drivers.
With the generic drivers, you can use templates or settings compatible with Reason 5, if available for
the control surface.
Note however, that Remote drivers for additional control surfaces will be added continuously - check
our web page for more info.
• By default, all control surfaces follow the sequencer Master Keyboard Input.
This means that you set MIDI input to a track in the sequencer to route the control surface(s) to the
track’s device in the rack.
• You can lock a control surface to a specific device in the rack.
For example, you could have a master keyboard that follows MIDI input, while another control surface
is locked to the main mixer in the rack. This way you can control levels and pans at all times. This is described in the Operation Manual.
• You can use remote overrides to map a specific control on a surface to a specific Reason
parameter or function.
For example, you could override-map a knob or fader on your control surface to the mixer’s master
level fader. Or you could map buttons on your control surface to control Reason’s transport (play, stop,
record, etc.) at all times, regardless of which track has Master Keyboard Input in the sequencer. This is
described in the Operation Manual.
• Remote also supports some control surfaces with MIDI feedback.
If you have such a control surface and it is supported by Reason Version 5, you can take full advantage
of motorized faders, meters, displays, etc.
Among the Reason documentation you will find a document called “Control Surface Details”. This contains
useful information about the supported control surfaces.
In case you specified a master keyboard in the Setup Wizard, and you don't have any other control surfaces, you don't have to do anything else. But if you want to add additional control surfaces or edit your
settings, this is done in the Preferences.
SETTING UP
21
Adding a control surface
1. Open the Preferences dialog and select the Keyboards and Control Surfaces page.
2. If your control surface is connected via USB (or if you have made a two-way MIDI connection), try clicking the Auto-detect Surfaces button.
Reason scans all MIDI ports and tries to identify the connected control surfaces. Note that not all control surfaces support auto-detection.
All found surfaces are listed in the Attached Surfaces list.
3. To add a control surface manually, click the Add button.
This brings up a new dialog.
4. Select the manufacturer of your control surface from the Manufacturer pop-up menu.
If you can’t find it on the menu, see below.
5. Select the model of your control surface from the Model pop-up menu.
If you can’t find it on the menu, see below.
22
SETTING UP
6. An image of the selected control surface model is shown, often along with some information text - read this carefully.
For some control surfaces, you need to select a specific preset to use the surface with Reason - this
is noted here.
7. Use the MIDI Input pop-up to select the input port to which you have connected the surface.
If in doubt, you can click the Find button and then tweak a control or play a key on the control surface
to have Reason find the correct input port for you.
• Some control surfaces may have more than one MIDI Input pop-up menu.
You need to select ports on all MIDI Input pop-up menus.
• Some control surfaces will have a MIDI Output pop-up menu.
In some cases this labeled “Optional” - then you don’t have to make a selection. In other cases, a MIDI
Output is required. This is the case if the control surface uses MIDI feedback - motor fader, displays,
etc.
8. If you like, you can rename your control surface in the Name field.
9. Click OK to add the surface.
Depending on the surface model, alerts may appear, reminding you to select a specific preset etc.
In some cases, Reason can restore a preset in the control surface to factory settings for you - you are
then informed of this.
Finally you return to the Keyboards and Control Surfaces Preferences page, where your added surface is
now listed.
If your control surface model isn’t listed
If you can’t find your control surface listed on the Manufacturer or Model pop-up menus when you try to
add it, this means that there’s no native support for that model. However, the program supports generic
keyboards and controllers. Here’s what to do:
D Select “Other” on the Manufacturer pop-up menu and then select one of the three op-
tions on the Model pop-up menu.
or, if the Manufacturer is listed but not your specific model:
SETTING UP
23
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