Table of Contents
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction. Welcome to the World of Audio xv
Getting Started in Audio Production xv
Who Should Read This Book xv
What Is Reason Intro? xvi
About This Book xvi
Requirements and Prerequisites xvi
Media Files xvii
Course Organization and Sequence xvii
Conventions and Symbols Used in This Book xvii
Keyboard Shortcuts and Modifiers xviii
Icons xviii
Chapter 1 Computer Concepts 1
Selecting a Computer 3
Mac Versus Windows Considerations 3
The Importance of RAM 4
Processing Power 6
Storage Space 7
Storage Options 9
Onboard Sound Options (Audio In and Out) 10
Other Options to Consider 11
Working with Your Computer 12
File Management 12
Launching Applications 18
Working with an Application 20
Menus 20
Keyboard Shortcuts 22
Review/Discussion Questions 24
Exercise 1 Exploring Audio on the Computer 26
Chapter 2 DAW Concepts 31
Functions of a DAW 32
What Can a DAW Do? 32
Common DAWs 32
Plug-In Formats 39
What Is A Plug-In? 39
Common Plug-In Formats 40
Reason Systems 41
Reason Software Options 41
Reason Hardware Options 42
Downloading and Installing Reason Intro 43
Accessing the Installer 43
Installation Steps 44
Launching Reason Intro for the First Time 46
Important Concepts in Reason 49
Song Files and Audio Data 49
Audio Versus MIDI 50
Review/Discussion Questions 51
Exercise 2 Setting Up a Multitrack Project 53
Chapter 3 Audio Recording Concepts 61
The Basics of Audio 62
Frequency 62
Amplitude 63
Microphones 63
Traditional Microphones 63
USB Microphones 64
Other Considerations 65
Basic Miking Techniques 66
Multitracking and Signal Flow 68
What Is Multitrack Recording? 69
Recording Signal Flow 70
Moving Audio From Analog to Digital 70
Analog Versus Digital Audio 70
The Analog-To-Digital Conversion Process 71
The Audio Interface 72
Audio Interface Considerations 72
Working Without an Audio Interface 75
Review/Discussion Questions 76
Exercise 3 Selecting Your Audio Production Gear 78
Chapter 4 MIDI Recording Concepts 83
A Brief History Of MIDI 84
Digital Control 84
The Birth of MIDI 85
The MIDI Protocol 86
MIDI Notes 86
Program Changes 87
Controller Messages 87
MIDI Controllers 88
Tone-Generating Keyboards 88
Keyboard Controllers 90
Drum Pad Controllers 91
Grid Controllers 91
Alternate Controllers 92
What to Look for in a MIDI Controller 92
Purchasing a Keyboard Controller 93
Setup and Signal Flow 94
Plug-and-Play Setup 94
MIDI Cables and Jacks 94
Using a MIDI Interface 95
Considerations for Using Multiple MIDI Devices 96
MIDI Versus Audio 96
What Is MIDI? 96
Monitoring with Onboard Sound Versus Virtual Instruments 97
Tracking with Virtual Instruments 98
Creating Tracks for Virtual Instruments 98
Summary 100
Review/Discussion Questions 101
Exercise 4 Selecting Your MIDI Production Gear 103
Chapter 5 Reason Concepts, Part 1 107
Creating a Song 108
Main Views and Panels 109
Sequencer View 109
Browser Panel 114
Transport Panel 114
Main Mixer View 115
Racks View 120
Managing Views and Windows 122
Working with Tracks 123
Adding Tracks 123
Mono Versus Stereo Tracks 126
Metronome Click 126
Edited Clips Versus Original Recordings 126
Tracks Versus Lanes 127
Basic Navigation 127
Using the Transport Controls 128
Zooming and Scrolling in the Sequencer View 128
Controlling Playback Behavior 130
Monitoring Your Timeline Location 131
Making Selections 132
Review/Discussion Questions 133
Exercise 5 Configuring and Working on a Song 135
Chapter 6 Reason Concepts, Part 2 143
Setting Up for Recording 144
Recording Audio 145
Setting a Record Location 145
Record-Enabling Audio Tracks 145
Monitoring Audio Tracks 146
Selecting Audio Track Input 147
Initiating a Record Take 148
Stopping a Record Take 149
Settings That Affect Recording and Monitoring 149
Recording MIDI 150
Instrument Creation and Routing 150
Playing Instruments 152
Record-Enabling instrument Tracks 153
Merging and Layering MIDI Performances 154
Importing Audio and MIDI 156
Supported Audio Files 156
Importing from the Desktop 157
Importing from the Browser 157
File Drag and Drop Locations 159
Using the Import Command 161
The Snap Function and the Grid 161
The Snap and Grid Controls 161
Setting the Grid Value 162
Working with Clips 163
Selecting a Sequencer Tool 163
Basic Editing Techniques 163
Advanced Editing Techniques 165
Review/Discussion Questions 170
Exercise 6 Importing and Editing Clips 172
Chapter 7 Mixing Concepts 179
Basic Mixing 180
Setting Levels 180
Panning 186
Processing Options and Techniques 188
Gain-Based Processing 189
Time-Based Processing and Effects 189
Inserts Versus Sends 189
Processing with External Gear 190
Mixing in the Box 190
Advantages of In-the-Box Mixing 191
Getting the Most Out of an In-the-Box Mix 191
Review/Discussion Questions 193
Exercise 7 Creating a Basic Mix 195
Chapter 8 Signal Processing 201
Device Basics 202
Viewing Inserts on Audio Track and Mix Channel Devices 202
Inserting Effects on Audio Track and Mix Channel Devices 204
Moving and Duplicating Effects Devices 208
Displaying VST Plug-In Windows 209
Working with Devices 210
Shortcuts for Adding Insert Effects 210
Effects Devices and Instrument Devices 212
The Disconnect Device and Auto-Route Device Commands 214
Device Controls 215
Common Device Controls 215
Device-Specific Parameters 217
EQ Processing 218
Types of EQ 218
Basic EQ Parameters 219
EQ Effects in Reason Intro 219
Strategies for Using EQ 221
Dynamics Processing 222
Types of Dynamics Processors 222
Basic Dynamics Parameters 223
Dynamics Effects in Reason Intro 224
Strategies for Using Compression 225
Reverb and Delay Effects 226
What Is Reverb? 226
Reverb in Reason Intro 226
Applications for Reverb Processors 227
What Is Delay? 228
Delay in Reason Intro 228
Applications for Delay Processors 229
Wet Versus Dry Signals 229
Using Time-Based Effects as Inserts 229
Using Send-and-Return Configurations 230
Review/Discussion Questions 234
Exercise 8 Optimizing Tracks with Signal Processing 236
Chapter 9 Finishing a Project 243
Recalling a Saved Mix 244
Using Automation 245
Automation, Tracks, and Lanes 245
Recording Real-Time Automation 247
The Automation Override Indicator 249
Working with Automation Clips 250
Editing Automation Points 251
MIDI Performance Controllers 254
Parameter Automation Static Values 255
Muting and Clearing Automation 257
Creating a Mixdown 258
Adding Processing on the Master Section 258
Considerations for Bouncing Audio 262
Setting the Song End Marker 262
Exporting an Audio Mix 263
Review/Discussion Questions 267
Exercise 9 Preparing the Final Mix 269
Chapter 10 Beyond the Basics 275
Cable Routing in the Rack 276
Audio Signals and Cables 276
CV Signals and Cables 277
Cable Color Coding 278
Connecting and Disconnecting Cables 279
Reduce Cable Clutter 283
Mono and Stereo Audio Connections 284
Routing Without Cables 286
MIDI Editing Techniques 287
Sequencer Edit Mode 287
Editing MIDI Data 291
Working with Velocity 295
The Tool Window 296
Submixing 298
Simplifying a Mix 298
Creating Stems 299
Keyboard Shortcuts 300
Function Keys 300
Sequencer Shortcuts 301
Rack Commands 302
Transport Commands 302
Review/Discussion Questions 303
Exercise 10 Finalizing a Project 305
Index 313
About the Authors 321
