I could really use a conceptual breakthrough

[Sandsifter]

Hi Folks,
I’m trying to learn a bit about DAW’s and Reason in particular, without having any background in music theory, and without being able to read music or play an instrument.

I just like music. I have a decent ear for it, and can easily pick out tunes on most instruments. The world of digital audio seems like it could be something really interesting to dabble in. The problem is that with so many options in Reason+, I’m not sure where to start. I was hoping that someone could simply explain how to start doing the following:

-Using a piano or strings virtual instrument, use F4 to key in and store the melody of a simple tune – let’s
say the 4 first stanzas of “Yesterday”

-Insert pauses, beats, or whatever is necessary to fix the timing of the notes, so that it sounds like what I would be picking out on a keyboard.

-Add chords to the melody, either automatically, or manually.

-Save the whole thing, and play it back.

If I could manage that, I’d definitely want to continue learning Reason, and slowly become more familiar with it more advanced features.

Thanks for any help.

[Billy+]

Good to have you onboard,

I take it from what you've said that your completely new to music production using a DAW?

I'm going to ask as it's really worth the effort, have you had a quick read of the manual?

What sort of music are you interested in?

[Billy+]

Have a play with drum sequencer for drum patters.
User pattern automation and send to track to get the midi into the main sequencer.

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[Billy+]

Give polystep sequencer a try for chords, again you can send to track and automate the patterns

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[Billy+]

If you have a play with those and read the manual a bit you will start to pick it up.

[Sandsifter]

Thanks for the prompt reply. I did look at the manual, and have to admit I was a bit intimidated. I'm an old-fashioned guy and much prefer having a physical book in my hand when I'm trying to learn software, but I haven't been able to find a decent beginner's guide to Reason 6.

I'll take a look at the 2 plugins (?) that you recommended. Maybe something will jumpstart in my brain.

[Heater]

Are you on Mac of PC. If you are on Mac then grab Garage Band. It's much easier to use.

[moneykube]

reason 6? both those plugins are incompatible with 6

[Billy+]

Thanks for the prompt reply. I did look at the manual, and have to admit I was a bit intimidated. I'm an old-fashioned guy and much prefer having a physical book in my hand when I'm trying to learn software, but I haven't been able to find a decent beginner's guide to Reason 6.

I'll take a look at the 2 plugins (?) that you recommended. Maybe something will jumpstart in my brain.

I to prefer a physical book, but there's not many good up to date books for Reason.

I'm assuming that using the F4 virtual keyboard means you don't have access to a midi keyboard?

[Billy+]

reason 6? both those plugins are incompatible with 6

That's a bit puzzling, but the original post clearly say R+

[Sandsifter]

I meant the latest Reason version from the new Reason+, I guess it's version 11; I don't know why I keep thinking it's 6.

I don't have any actual instruments for Midi input, as I don't play any.

I'm on PC. I actually decided to try Reason, because I remember reading about it way back in 2000 when it first came out, and I was really impressed with what I read. When I started looking into DAW's, I was surprised to see that it was still around. If I had a Mac I would try Garage Band, but I actually prefer complexity once I manage to get past the initial confusion.

[Billy+]

Ok so if you're not using a midi keyboard then you're going to either draw notes into the sequencer or record from the virtual keyboard. Find the section in the manual and have a play it shouldn't take long to make sense

[Sandsifter]

Got it Billy+, thanks.

[Billy+]

So I had a look through the archives and this might help?

Ignore the Record naming its all Reason! And you're fine to use the virtual midi keyboard.

[hurricane]

I to prefer a physical book, but there's not many good up to date books for Reason.

Fortunately there haven't been that many changes to Reason the DAW since V7 - HEYYO.

ZING.

[EdwardKiy]

I've only started with reason about 14 months ago, and, like you, was intimidated by the manual.

I thought I'd "learn by doing" and look up what I need in the moment over on youtube or other sources. BOY WAS I WRONG. Here I am now, half way through the manual.

The manual is written by a genius, it's super easy and even entertaining to read, and, most importantly, it has a systematic approach. This is THE ONLY source of knowledge that offers a systematic approach to understanding and using the DAW.

Just like you, I am a paper guy, and I had to print out the most important (to me) bits of manual. But if you can't print out the manual for yourself, just read it in PDF. Seriously. Nothing beats it. You can watch udemy/groove3 or whichever similar website there is, as an ADDITION to the manual. Don't repeat my mistakes, don't learn it in sporadic bits over youtube, because you won't even know about the key pieces you are missing and you get quickly overwhelmed by information. It is more important to know the structure of something, so that you know where exactly in your wall you are missing bricks than to have a bunch of bricks you wouldn't know where to put. The bricks themselves are very easy to get.

The manual is the absolute shortest way. Seriously.

[Sandsifter]

You know, I'm starting to get enthused again now

It seems like it would be a whole lot easier using a Midi keyboard. I saw that a Nektar SE25 goes for only $50 or so, and seems basically plug & play for Reason. I might treat myself and make life easier.

[Billy+]

You know, I'm starting to get enthused again now

It seems like it would be a whole lot easier using a Midi keyboard. I saw that a Nektar SE25 goes for only $50 or so, and seems basically plug & play for Reason. I might treat myself and make life easier.

Personally I would get a 3 or 4 octave keyboard - but for now I'm sure the virtual one will do while you're learning to use reason, however it's a lot easier to have one

I got this one from nektar, but that's probably a bit excessive for you!

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[bxbrkrz]

Welcome to our wonderful world
While you are visiting Nektar and since, I believe, you don't play any instrument, take a look at their new baby called the Aura. Very new to the market. Nektar was the first company, to my knowledge, who worked hard to make all their controllers work perfectly well with Reason.
Reason was a recreation of real hardware in a real studio at first. Now the platform grew way beyond that concept. When you watch people using the real equipment on YouTube it helps a lot understanding why you have so many cables in Reason, among other things.

Try anything and ask away

[selig]

If you are new to the concept of a DAW but not to the concept of music, you can do what I did the very first day I got ahold of a MIDI sequencer. I decided to slowly go though the basic process of song writing/building, starting with one part, and adding an overdub on top of that, then another. Next I decided I wanted to learn how to add a "b" section, so I went back to the first part and played a different part, then overdubbed more parts on top using all the same instruments I used on the first part. Finally I wanted to see how to put the parts together, and long-story-short I ended up with the first song on my first album. I had never worked with anything like a DAW before, in fact they barely existed as this was back in 1986.

[bitley]

Covers.

Make covers of your favorite tracks.

Copy every sound, every passage.

Never release it (or maybe as instrumentals on Soundcloud) - mostly use it as a learning process.

After that, start changing them -

But it ain't easy and it takes 10,000 hours.

[motuscott]

I agree with Edward, Reason Operation Manual is one of the best written manuals out there.
Also a great source of tattoo ideas

[motuscott]

I fancy this one

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[kuhliloach]

As a long time Reason user and current user of the Reason Plug-In my suggestion for your Windows DAW conceptual breakthru experience is obtaining a license for Ableton Live Lite, then upgrading it over time to Suite.

[Sandsifter]

Thanks EdwardKiy. You're probably right. I've always tended to look for the easy way out/in.