Reason 11 and generative stuff -Wow! A praise.

[IncarnateX]

I am lost in Reason 11 for the time being. Need to praise it. Where else than KVR?

I left DAWs five years ago to dive into hardware. However when I got the idea that I should make more generative stuff, I spend 1 ½ years with cumbersome hardware sets-ups involving Elektrons, Toraiz Squid, Korg Karma, Roland R8 MKII, Beat Step Pro and other pieces that could do some probability/generative stuff . Eventually, I worked with 8+ hardware sequencers, which had to be run in parallel to get what I wanted. So, I gave up most of it and ended up with Roland Fantom 6 and MPC One, which can do some (very) limited probability stuff with some workarounds. However, a month ago I was stroken with such a fever: I just had to have a working generative orchestra NOOOOOOOOW! Thus I looked to Reason, which I have not consulted since my 6.5 upgrade, and found that it has been updated with loads of generative stuff during the years. I am stunned to say it at least. Not only am I able to fulfill my vision by its means, but I can achieve it in many different ways. It is a modular dream now. I always found Reaktor too intimidating to me with its deep DNA and symbolic representations. This is much more me. And with total recall compared to my hardware mess.

On another note: I remember REs to be CPU heavy in Reason 6.5, however, my macbook Air from 2017 with 1,8 Ghz and 8 GB ram has no problem running 42+ modules. Something must have happen in between. Stunning.

Anyway, I just wanted to hail Reason 11 with this post and refer to some of the modules I use to share my joy with anyone who likes to explore the generative stuff too. So, here are a few picks but there are loads yet (click the picture to enlarge). Thanks a lot Reason Studios.



All the best
IX

[Psuper]

I know where you're coming from, I don't use note generation often, however its twin sister "Randomize stuff" is one of my favorites! Reason has quite a few devices setup for it, but the topology allows for pseudo randomization with all the devices.

Glad to see you back at the Reason Party!

[fuzzlightyear]

I always found automated, computer generated, randomization and other "helpers" to be a rather rudimentary way to avoid learning music theory and actually playing an instrument/hardware/midi device.

With so many people using the same automation, randomization and computer generated helpers, how unique and innovative is the music?

The generative music starts to sound the same, with the same programmed algorithms and results. Because, a lot of people make the same choices given only a small selection pool of options. And without any outside creativity being implemented by the musician themselves, it can become rather repetitive and generic.

But, there are some exceptions to the case...

[Psuper]

I always found automated, computer generated, randomization and other "helpers" to be a rather rudimentary way to avoid learning music theory and actually playing an instrument/hardware/midi device.

With so many people using the same automation, randomization and computer generated helpers, how unique and innovative is the music?

The generative music starts to sound the same, with the same programmed algorithms and results. Because, a lot of people make the same choices given only a small selection pool of options. And without any outside creativity being implemented by the musician themselves, it can become rather repetitive and generic.

But, there are some exceptions to the case...

Absolutely true -- it all depends on the hands that hold the tools.

[starflakeprj]

With so many people using the same automation, randomization and computer generated helpers, how unique and innovative is the music?

Ever heard of arrangement? That is what differentiate music nowadays, not note sequence or chord progressions.

[fuzzlightyear]

With so many people using the same automation, randomization and computer generated helpers, how unique and innovative is the music?

Ever heard of arrangement? That is what differentiate music nowadays, not note sequence or chord progressions.

Listen closely to the chord progressions, you'll hear a lot of the same chord progressions. Listen even closer and you'll hear Grammy winning producers using the same chords in different songs of their own.

Now listen to an arrangement of any genre, then listen to another in the same genre, guess what? Pretty much the same arrangement. That's why it fits the genre.

I believe some people give arrangements and chord progressions too much credit in the creative process, especially the creative flow.

[IncarnateX]

I would not know of any limited options in Reason as far as my new arsenal concerns. It is rather limitless the good old intimidating way software can offer it. I have already made two tunes together with an old guitar mate, and they sound nothing alike. The modules can be made differently, chained differently by reasons CV system, and even a fairly self-contained generator like Quad Note can be instructed to do many different things and chained to do even more. I rather have to restrict myself now because I have bought every relevant module I could find even though I did not need them all and some are redundant. I even have an audio-to-cv converter which reacts to volume. Play an accoustic snare drum through it or a Conga, and I can make it trigger different samples according to the loudness of the hits or control the pitch (or whatever cv´d) of a synth. You will hear no complaints about restrictions from me, but to each, his own.

[Psuper]

I would not know of any limited options in Reason as far as my new arsenal concerns. It is rather limitless the good old intimidating way software can offer it. I have already made two tunes together with an old guitar mate, and they sound nothing alike. The modules can be made differently, chained differently by reasons CV system, and even a fairly self-contained generator like Quad Note can be instructed to do many different things and chained to do even more. I rather have to restrict myself now because I have bought every relevant module I could find even though I did not need them all and some are redundant. I even have an audio-to-cv converter which reacts to volume. Play an accoustic snare drum through it or a Conga, and I can make it trigger different samples according to the loudness of the hits or control the pitch (or whatever cv´d) of a synth. You will hear no complaints about restrictions from me, but to each, his own.

^ Capable hands that holds the tools.

Many people don't even know what tools they have, let alone the many ways to wield them.

[vurt]

ooh welcome back

[IncarnateX]

Thanks, man. Seems like the old garde is still around, and the site has not been banned world wide yet. Survival of the fittest, I guess. Well done.

[bharris22]

I am also very interested in generative music, and have recently come to the conclusion that a combination of software and hardware takes advantage of the relative strengths of each in this area. The power of the generative software sequencers in Reaktor, Reason and other programs works well (in my experience) driving hardware synths. The generative ideas created by the software keep things interesting as I change parameters on the hardware, making the entire process a lot of fun.

[IncarnateX]

Yes, I sort of use a combination too. When a base track is done in Reason, I import to MPC One. Here I can add hardware synths if I wanted, but mainly transport it to my guitar player to record some tracks. When done, it is back into to Reason to play with further and finalize. I like the MPC as a temporarily embodiment of Reason tracks, and should we ever perform, the base tracks would be found in here and not a Mac on stage.

[JoseC.]

Have you tried Rea...er...I mean, VCV Rack? Besides generating audio by itself, you can generate MIDI and send it to your DAW or to external hardware.

[IncarnateX]

Have you tried Rea...er...I mean, VCV Rack? Besides generating audio by itself, you can generate MIDI and send it to your DAW or to external hardware.

Ah! Eurorack as softie. Wonderful. Though it would be somewhat overkill now. Reason will do fine. Only a few VSTis made it to my Reason rack, and they were all U-he: Ace, BazilleCM and TyrellN6. The first two fit Reason´s modular concept, and Tyrell just sounds good for a good deal of basic jobs. Thanks for the head up, though. Maybe later, if I get bored with Reason at some point.

[jonljacobi]

Generative music. How exactly are you ever going to derive satisfaction if it didn’t come from inside you?