Propellerheads will be releasing Reason 6 in September. In an interesting twist and what seems like an admission Record is now gone and fully integrated into Reason. I think it’s a great idea. The best thing about Reason is it’s a tight individual package. New effects: Pulveriser, a compressor, filter and distortion. The Echo, an analog tape echo emulation. Lastly, Alligator which is a pattern based gate. Overall I think it’s a solid and smart upgrade.

“With version 6 Reason reclaims the spotlight. Combining all the features from Record, version 6 adds audio recording and editing into Reason, along with Propellerhead’s acclaimed mixing console with masterfully modeled EQ and dynamics on every channel, multiple parallel racks, all the effects you know and love plus new ones to fall in love with, and much more of what you’ve always wanted in Reason.” – propellerheads.se

For more info: propellerheads.se/reason6/

The big upgrade to Propellerheads Reason and Record has just been released. The new Reason has the Kong Drum Designer, Dr. Octo Rex, Live Sampling, Blocks and more. The big new deal in Record is the Neptune pitch corrector and voice synthesizer. I’ve mentioned before I always have Reason ReWired into Ableton Live. There are several things I do with Reason that I really can’t acheive any other way. The best thing about Reason is it’s one of the most fun pieces of software to use.

“The name propellerhead comes from the pejorative term used to deprecate science fiction fans and other technophiles, who are stereotypically drawn wearing propeller beanies.” – Wikipedia

Propellerheads have a great YouTube channel: click here

For more info: propellerheads.se

As I say often Reason is my Ableton’s good looking girlfriend. My start-up template always has Reason ready to go to pretty things up. The Swede’s are moving faster with updates than they used to and here we have Reason 5 and Record 1.5. There’s some good new features: sampling (direct into Re-Drum!), Neptune vocal tuning, sequencer “blocks”, Dr. Octo Rex, the new Kong groovebox and more.

“Sampling in Reason is simple and straightforward. Hit the sample button and Reason starts sampling. Reason will detect the sample start automatically. You can sample when Reason is running too if you like – no need to stop the music.” – propellerheads.se

For more info: propellerheads.se

Well this is a strange way to show off Reason. I’ve never seen the mirror in the dark technique.

For more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insanity

“Propellerhead Software’s product specialist James Bernard kicks off this series of tutorials with a demonstration on creative uses of the Record mixer’s dynamics section to create rhythmic gating effects, also known as ‘trance gate’.” – PropellerheadSW

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jnZ1EwvW88

“In this week’s episode, James Bernard shows how to create a typical dub step wobble bass sound in Record and Reason.” – PropellerheadSW

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mKL2xCw1Ds

“In the third episode, James Bernard gives you even more tips on creating dub step wobble bass sounds in Record and Reason.” – PropellerheadSW

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGPYBnpt1ZA

“Week 4 is here and this time James shows you the basics of the Contol Volt and Gate features in Reason and Record. Many users shy away from CV/Gate for fear of not knowing what they do, but CV/Gate is an immensely powerful feature and quite straightforward to use once you grasp the basic concept.” – – PropellerheadSW

For more info: propellerheads.se

Tonight’s homework is to throw some vocoder into a track. If you own Propellerheads Reason 4 you have a great vocoder. The video above shows you how to set it up. Can anyone name the tunes playing?

More Reason tips and tricks: click here

I love the Formant Filter in Propellerhead Reason’s Thor synthesizer. I also think Scream4 is one of the best software distortions out there. So if your stuck in a cubicle or need a reminder that Reason is great here’s a sample:

Download audio file (Thor-and-Scream.mp3)

Get Reason: www.propellerheads.se

A few weeks ago Propellerhead asked me to send them my favorite Patches that come with Reason. I picked my top five and wrote a little about why each sound tickles my brain in a happy way. To view my choices: click here

“Artist Patch Charts. Go-to sounds of the pros. Ever wondered what the bass sound in that track was? How they made the harp glissandos in that movie, the shimmering strings in that commercial, or why the snare in that track sounds so familiar? We did. And that’s why we’re presenting our favorite producer’s and artist’s top sounds.” – Propellerheads.se

You can also see Patch Charts for Orlando Voorn, Adam Fielding, Nat Motte, Steven Drozd, Bentley Jones, Ryland Blackinton, Richard Barbieri, Jesse Stern, Dan Silver and others here: http://www.propellerheads.se/substance/patch-charts/index.cfm

Today I present to you a highly fun Reason beginner tip: Instead of placing notes into Reason’s fun Matrix Sequencer use the Randomize function. But don’t give yourself carpel tunnel syndrome by pushing the mouse pointer to the Edit menu and selected Randomize Pattern. Simply hold down the Command (Apple) key and hit R. Now… do it over and over until you get something you like.

The always busy James Bernard from Propellerhead Software went to LA to interview Bon Harris one of the founding members of Nitzer Ebb. It doesn’t surprise me to hear he’s using Reason to create the music for the upcoming all new NE album. Reason seems to be a center piece in a lot of EBM bands today. It was a happy surprise to hear the bassline Mr. Harris let us have a sneak peak of because it had an old school Nitzer Ebb feel to it. If Douglas McCarthy can get angry enough to put proper vocals on this remains to be seen. I for one really hope the magic returns.

Keep up with NE here: www.nitzer-ebb.de and  myspace.com/nitzerebbmusic