Types of Rack Extensions we haven't seen yet
Posted: 16 Apr 2020
What are some types of REs you thought you might've seen by now? Things that are possible to do within the format.
Please correct me if I'm wrong about any of these.
Formant Shifter
Currently, the only device in the Reason Rack that offers formant shifting is Neptune. It works well, but like other effects, someone else's approach may work better for certain applications and particular voices. This was something I thought I'd see an offering of in the RE format. I had my fingers crossed that kHs would have a formant shifter at some point to accommodate their kHs Pitch Shifter (which is my goto). It sounds great and is awesome for smooth automation of pitch.
Live Pitch Correction/Auto-tune
Funny I mention a feature of Neptune in my first example with formant shifting, and here is another—live pitch correction. Have any RE developers tried their hand at this?
Anything really with a focus on creative vocals
Look at things like Vocal Synth, OVOX, Manipulator, Pitch Monster, Dehumaniser. Effects that are geared towards both sung vocals and character vocals. There isn't much of a strong focus on vocal effects in the RE world. We have seen some vocoders built into synths like Predator and Parsec...
A Multi-channel Rack Mixer
Something like a successor to the 14:2. Perhaps with less channels and a focus on a custom channel strips (EQ, dynamics, etc). Is there less desire for something like this if people prefer to use separate EQ and dynamics plugin chains on separate Mix and Audio channels with Reason's mixer? I think there would still be a use for something like this when making Combinators. Although, I'd also like to see the Combinator updated with a built-in, auto-routed mixer.
Audio Listen/Assist - Auto adjust EQ, etc.
Things similar to many of iZotope's products that listen to audio and make adjustments as a suggestion and like Balancer from Focusrite/Sonible. Stuff like that. Would this be possible and useful in the RE format?
Auto Leveler - Fader Rider
Something like Waves Vocal Rider, that automates the level with no coloration. I'd like to see this as a built-in feature, I may also pickup Waves Vocal Rider someday. But this seems like something that could do well in the RE format.
Another MPC/Kong/Machine-style Drum Machine
Have there been any other 16x16 pad drum machines, with built-in effects and features with sample loading? This is possible right? People have had suggestions for Kong for sure. Any of those desired features possible in a separate drum machine RE?
Semi-Modular or Modular synth series with controls and graphics mirrored on the back
After I saw the ABL3 update 3 years ago, which included the ability to automate controls on the back panel (by tying them to the front), I thought we might see someone make a modular synth using that concept. Then you could stay on the back panel, do all of your cabling there, access all of the controls and be able to automate from the back panel. Since then, we've seen creative approaches like Complex-1 (also not being duplicated). Although that approach wouldn't work for a modular series of separate devices, whereas an approach using the ABL3 trick would work.
What else?
Please correct me if I'm wrong about any of these.
Formant Shifter
Currently, the only device in the Reason Rack that offers formant shifting is Neptune. It works well, but like other effects, someone else's approach may work better for certain applications and particular voices. This was something I thought I'd see an offering of in the RE format. I had my fingers crossed that kHs would have a formant shifter at some point to accommodate their kHs Pitch Shifter (which is my goto). It sounds great and is awesome for smooth automation of pitch.
Live Pitch Correction/Auto-tune
Funny I mention a feature of Neptune in my first example with formant shifting, and here is another—live pitch correction. Have any RE developers tried their hand at this?
Anything really with a focus on creative vocals
Look at things like Vocal Synth, OVOX, Manipulator, Pitch Monster, Dehumaniser. Effects that are geared towards both sung vocals and character vocals. There isn't much of a strong focus on vocal effects in the RE world. We have seen some vocoders built into synths like Predator and Parsec...
A Multi-channel Rack Mixer
Something like a successor to the 14:2. Perhaps with less channels and a focus on a custom channel strips (EQ, dynamics, etc). Is there less desire for something like this if people prefer to use separate EQ and dynamics plugin chains on separate Mix and Audio channels with Reason's mixer? I think there would still be a use for something like this when making Combinators. Although, I'd also like to see the Combinator updated with a built-in, auto-routed mixer.
Audio Listen/Assist - Auto adjust EQ, etc.
Things similar to many of iZotope's products that listen to audio and make adjustments as a suggestion and like Balancer from Focusrite/Sonible. Stuff like that. Would this be possible and useful in the RE format?
Auto Leveler - Fader Rider
Something like Waves Vocal Rider, that automates the level with no coloration. I'd like to see this as a built-in feature, I may also pickup Waves Vocal Rider someday. But this seems like something that could do well in the RE format.
Another MPC/Kong/Machine-style Drum Machine
Have there been any other 16x16 pad drum machines, with built-in effects and features with sample loading? This is possible right? People have had suggestions for Kong for sure. Any of those desired features possible in a separate drum machine RE?
Semi-Modular or Modular synth series with controls and graphics mirrored on the back
After I saw the ABL3 update 3 years ago, which included the ability to automate controls on the back panel (by tying them to the front), I thought we might see someone make a modular synth using that concept. Then you could stay on the back panel, do all of your cabling there, access all of the controls and be able to automate from the back panel. Since then, we've seen creative approaches like Complex-1 (also not being duplicated). Although that approach wouldn't work for a modular series of separate devices, whereas an approach using the ABL3 trick would work.
What else?