Reason Forum Collaboration

[Lemniscate]

Hi everyone,

I've had a bit of a quirky idea which I hope will be supported by the community here.

I am looking to create an account on a file hosting service. In this, we can put a reason song file that anyone on here can access (I will give the user name and password in private messages to users that are interested). We can then collaborate on editing the same file together, one at a time (to prevent multiple versions).

For example.

I work on a reason song file, and upload it for another user to add his or her input. I post in this thread that the file is ready for download by another user.

A user responds on here saying they would like to work on the file. They download the file, add their ideas, then re-upload it, replacing the previous file, then post in this thread that the file is ready for download by another user.

A user responds on here saying they would like to work on the file. They download the file, add their ideas, then re-upload it, replacing the previous file, then post in this thread that the file is ready for download by another user. A user responds on here saying they would like to work on the file.

They download the file, add their ideas, then re-upload it, replacing the previous file, then.... you get the idea.

This way we can all work together to come up with a track we never would have been able to do individually, with a mix of musical taste and broad range of ideas. We can discuss what we would like on the forums including advanced tips and tricks to allow other users to work on the file, as well as them being able to see what we have done. Hopefully this means EVERYONE will learn a little something.

Obviously this will need to be kept well structured to prevent two users from downloading and working on the same file at the same time, adding seperate ideas, as one of them will be lost when uploading - so it will be one at a time.

We will also have to take into account that not every user has the same version of reason, or indeed a powerful computer, the inclusion of non-factory patches etc.

But the idea is sound enough (get it? it was a joke... oh never mind).

Anyone interested?

I'm looking for a MINIMUM of 5 users (Dose, i'm looking at you).

When I have enough response, I will set everything up and then post exactly what to do, once it has been decided between us what the specifics are (as in what version of Reason, whether or not to allow Record etc and how to share patches if non-factory ones are used.)

This is a LONG-TERM project, and won't be started for another month minimum, while I build my new computer (which is an ABSOLUTE MONSTER) and update my copy of Reason - for now I'm just throwing the idea out here to see if there's enough interest to bother doing it.

Yes or No. YOU decide!

[BreakbeatDrummer]

Hi Lemniscate, I would be interested in this project. I'm new to Reason so my skills aren't advanced but I've been a drummer for almost 20 years and am good with rhythm. I normally record midi in cubase etc so maybe I could be of use putting together a good rhythm for one of the drum tracks. Cool idea. Keep us posted.

[Lemniscate]

Hey there,

One of the ideas is that the more experienced users will be showing less advanced users the tricks of the trade. When the file is being edited by you, you'll have full access to the rack and everything that's been done in it, so you will be able to actually see what they've done - and learn from it.

Can't figure out how to do multi-band compression? Easy. Have a look at the devices, then Flip round the rack and have a look what's wired into what. You'd soon figure it out, and then you can do it for yourself, making you better at the program.

That is what this forum is all about at the end of the day, right? Helping eachother out. And if we get to make a great track at the same time, then it can only be a massive bonus.

That way you'll learn, have fun doing it, as well as adding your own distinctiveness to the track to make the whole effort between us better.

ANY experience level is welcome to join the collective.

[Dose808]

Excellent idea! You know that I'm in for it. Like you said, we would have to consider versions of Reason being used, patches, etc. The question arises though, do we add to or tweak the song, or is the option there to totally remix the song as well. The reason I ask is remixing the song could be interesting and fun, but could totally take the project off-course, more or less creating a new song. Personally I think we should try to stick with the same track as much as possible.

Dose

[Lemniscate]

Ah,

These are the issues we will need to discuss and come to an agreement on! I think we should go with your suggestion.

Maybe if someone wants to totally re-mix, they can keep the file for themselves as practice. I'm sure everyone that uploads it will make a copy so the previous version is still intact should something drastically wrong happen..

In my opinion, it should be adding to the arrangement and tweakng, with each person flat mixing his or her instrument into the song. Then once we agree on the arrangement, we take a vote on who does the final mix.

I just don't want to turn it into a giant pissing contest, where users are arguing about 'my bit is better than your bit'. If we stay mature and use a vote system to manage any differences of opinion, it could be a great project.

[Dose808]

Couldn't agree more! Everyone should keep a copy of what is downloaded. That way, like you said, if something goes wrong, there is something to fall back on.....back-up, back-up, back-up....

As far as sounds go, and the more I have thought on it, I firmly believe that we should stick strictly to the factory soundbank/orkestra soundbank. This will help keep everyone on the same page, help the new users experiment/hear different sounds that are provided that maybe otherwise didn't know were there...and most of all, tweak them. We could go as far as creating our own patches. We just need to stick to the confines of the soundbanks for .rex loops and .wav samples.

I think this is going to be a great learning project not only for new users, but for some of us that have been using Reason for years. I believe that you can never master this program and there is always something to learn from it, no matter your expertise level. I am also excited about what the final product will be, and if it is something that we are all happy and excited about, where this could possibly go and lead to.

Dose

PS - late thought...I also think that we should stick to Reason only all the way through to the final mix, meaning not Record. The reason (no pun intended) I say this is some users don't have Record yet, and also mixing and mastering in Reason can produce a great sounding song if done correctly. Just another aspect for all of us to learn from. If we get to a point where we are all amp'd about the final result and want to consider sharing with the world, but want a more "finalized" version, then we can cross that bridge when we get to it as far as putting it into Record/Pro-Tools/etc.

[Lemniscate]

100% Agreed! I would start this project off in an instant... if I had Reason 5.

I'm pretty sure that you can get a pretty good final version with a couple of well tweaked mastering suites, as well.

So, anyone else up for a collaborative project?

[kruschalev]

Yup could b good, should, probly would