Combinator reveals Reason's weakness

[braj]

For anyone who thinks the Combinator isn't a big deal, imagine something similar in another host: the ability to layer 2 Minimoogs, a sampler, some effects etc and create a patch that can be called up without setting up and routing all those tracks, sends etc. Wouldn't that be a big deal?

Hmm, can you do something like this with Tracktion's rack filters? I never used them enough when I had T. This deserves a new topic in the RMS forum...

[quincy]

People just need to learn to shut the f**k up and realise that just cos they love/hate something doesn't mean everyone else has to agree. Egos abound around here.

The tools that we use are going to be a lot like the kinds of music that each one of us enjoys writing/listening to. If I don't like the music I'm listening to, I change the channel or put in a different CD. I don't sit there and complain that, "This band sucks, and they should work to get better!" I just don't listen to them anymore, and i move on. Same thing with the tools I use. I've given many of the major players a try out there, and if I test something out and don't like it...I don't buy it. I don't see what's so hard about that concept.

Sorry mate perhaps i wasn't clear. Nothing at all wrong with having your opinion, and trying different things etc, thats a healthy and sensible thing to do.

The bit that annoys me is these constant battles going back and forth with people saying "no you don't get it, ABC clearly is better than XYZ" and then similar replies ad nauseum.

What i meant was that people should accept we all have different taste, and any amount of petty bickering (none of this aimes at you by the way!!) isn't going to change that, so get on with enjoying what you enjoy, and let others do the same.

Why some producers feel they need to "convert" the others is what confuses me.

[quincy]

I have the computer music mags with the first preview of reason, and the original reviews, and they quite clearly did intend it to be an "all-in-one" solution.

Well maybe I'm being pedantic, but to me there is a difference between "total solution" and "all-in-one" solution. For me, the total solution implies that you'll never ever need another piece of software again - it'll do everything. Whereas all-in-out implies that you get all you need to make music, but there might not be those less pre-requisite things like audio recording.

Of course thats me: I don't need audio recording, but no doubt some Reason users are desperate for it.

Fair enough mate, i think we're both just splitting hairs here so no matter!

Point is, whatever the original intentions of the props, it seems to have found its place in the market as a modular sound kit, not a total production soultion. Of course it has these users, but my impression is that more people use it in combination with other tools than on its own.

Anyway i get really bored with these debates(no offence to anyone in particular), just use what makes you happy and let other use what makes them happy.

[Sicklecell666]

"Two legs good, four legs better!"

"Two legs good, four legs better!"

"Two legs good, four legs better!"

[apflaum]

For anyone who thinks the Combinator isn't a big deal, imagine something similar in another host: the ability to layer 2 Minimoogs, a sampler, some effects etc and create a patch that can be called up without setting up and routing all those tracks, sends etc. Wouldn't that be a big deal?

Um....that would be called....saving a song, or a template. A good DAW tip would be to create a very general setup with instruments and effects that you like and can easily use, and save it as a blank template. Than pull this up each time you want to write. You can always tweak/change stuff later

[theshaggyfreak]

Sorry mate perhaps i wasn't clear. Nothing at all wrong with having your opinion, and trying different things etc, thats a healthy and sensible thing to do.

The bit that annoys me is these constant battles going back and forth with people saying "no you don't get it, ABC clearly is better than XYZ" and then similar replies ad nauseum.

What i meant was that people should accept we all have different taste, and any amount of petty bickering (none of this aimes at you by the way!!) isn't going to change that, so get on with enjoying what you enjoy, and let others do the same.

Why some producers feel they need to "convert" the others is what confuses me.

I agree. I stopped saying, "This program sucks!" not too long ago myself. I realized it was kind of harsh statement. For example, I used to hate FL Studio. I felt that every song I heard people produce with it sounded horrible. So, I knocked the program as being the problem. When 5.0 came out, I gave it another try and I realized it wasn't the program that was the problem...it was the person producing it. I guess that I don't really like the music that people generally make with FL Studio, but I myself have made some decent stuff with it.

[braj]

For anyone who thinks the Combinator isn't a big deal, imagine something similar in another host: the ability to layer 2 Minimoogs, a sampler, some effects etc and create a patch that can be called up without setting up and routing all those tracks, sends etc. Wouldn't that be a big deal?

Um....that would be called....saving a song, or a template. A good DAW tip would be to create a very general setup with instruments and effects that you like and can easily use, and save it as a blank template. Than pull this up each time you want to write. You can always tweak/change stuff later

Um, no, not necessarily. You could create hundreds of Combinator patches (or buy some) and use them in whatever song you like. Not the same thing. I don't think you can minimize Combinator like that. Whether you like Reason's sounds or not, you have to admit the concept is a great one, and would be really handy in any host.

[AD80]

For anyone who thinks the Combinator isn't a big deal, imagine something similar in another host:

Imagine? I've been doin that for years. First in EXT and now with Tracktion and EXT. And I've been doing it with much better modules than Reason. Layer 2 Albinos in EXT, and compare it to two Subtractors in Reason. Or layer 2 WusikStations, and compare them to 2 Maelstroms. The Combinator is a very useful feature in Reason because of its clunky interface. It helps keep things tidy, but if you're really into building modular synths out of existing synths then EXT or Tracktion or Plogue etc give you more choices.

[Meffy]

apflaum: If that's all they did, I wouldn't be impressed. But there's considerably more to Combinators than that. :-) They surprised me with how much more. You might want to give the demo a try, just to see what it does -- even if you don't intend to buy at all, you can get a hint of how it wreaks its magicks.

Meffy

[quincy]

For anyone who thinks the Combinator isn't a big deal, imagine something similar in another host: the ability to layer 2 Minimoogs, a sampler, some effects etc and create a patch that can be called up without setting up and routing all those tracks, sends etc. Wouldn't that be a big deal?

Um....that would be called....saving a song, or a template. A good DAW tip would be to create a very general setup with instruments and effects that you like and can easily use, and save it as a blank template. Than pull this up each time you want to write. You can always tweak/change stuff later

Sorry fella you've missed the point there.

Not many hosts would allow you to save a bunch of diffrent VST with controller setup that allows control over multiple knobs with one controller at different levels of responsiveness, into one easy patch.

THAT was the point being made, and its a good one. The combinator is clearly a useful tool and one that has little competition in terms of complex and controlled layering of synths.

[Sicklecell666]

Guess no one's an Orwell fan here..

[quincy]

For anyone who thinks the Combinator isn't a big deal, imagine something similar in another host:

Imagine? I've been doin that for years. First in EXT and now with Tracktion and EXT. And I've been doing it with much better modules than Reason. Layer 2 Albinos in EXT, and compare it to two Subtractors in Reason. Or layer 2 WusikStations, and compare them to 2 Maelstroms. The Combinator is a very useful feature in Reason because of its clunky interface. It helps keep things tidy, but if you're really into building modular synths out of existing synths then EXT or Tracktion or Plogue etc give you more choices.

Is that really fair?

I love EXT, but i didn't think i could easily set up a rack of VSTi and then have a single knob on my controller control multiple parameters of multiple synths at different levels of responsiveness (perhaps wrong word)?

Anyhoo i still reckon personally that even with the mastering FX this does not look like an upgrade worth waiting 2 years(i think it was) for. But hey i don't use it so i don't give a shit.

[braj]

For anyone who thinks the Combinator isn't a big deal, imagine something similar in another host:

Imagine? I've been doin that for years. First in EXT and now with Tracktion and EXT. And I've been doing it with much better modules than Reason. Layer 2 Albinos in EXT, and compare it to two Subtractors in Reason. Or layer 2 WusikStations, and compare them to 2 Maelstroms. The Combinator is a very useful feature in Reason because of its clunky interface. It helps keep things tidy, but if you're really into building modular synths out of existing synths then EXT or Tracktion or Plogue etc give you more choices.

Sure, I've been layering synths for a long time as well, back to my AlphaJuno and Six-Track But can you save those combinations as one patch in any of the other hosts? This isn't a 'challenge' question but asked sincerely. It would be cool if Tracktion racks remembered synth and effect patch settings, I don't know if that's the case or not. EXT I have no idea about.

[Mr. Slater's Parrot]

For anyone who thinks the Combinator isn't a big deal, imagine something similar in another host: the ability to layer 2 Minimoogs, a sampler, some effects etc and create a patch that can be called up without setting up and routing all those tracks, sends etc. Wouldn't that be a big deal?

No need to imagine it -- I do that using Chainer inside of Sonar and other hosts all the time. It's fantastic!

[Amberience]

I love EXT, but i didn't think i could easily set up a rack of VSTi and then have a single knob on my controller control multiple parameters of multiple synths at different levels of responsiveness (perhaps wrong word)

Actually to be fair, it is just as easy in XT as it is in Reason - gives you different levels of responsivness too.