Hey guys,

Well I'm new to Reason, but I've pretty much got the basics down. I have had some problems with the Synths though (malstrom, thor, etc..). Everytime I hit 'record' just a big line shows up on the sequencer but no music plays..or sometimes no line will show up at all! All the tutorials I have read just hit record and BAM the synth plays...well not for me..Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong?

Next, I was wondering if anyone had their own personal and or link to a good trance tutorial..a step by step one to get a good trance song going.

Last, is there anyway to take your completed song and save it as a mp3? Mine only saves as a reason file >_<.

Thanks

Hey! For one, you are going to want to make sure you have a midi controller or keyboard with a midi output of some kind. The control surface needs to be set up in Reason and as long as it's detected properly and installed correctly you should have no problems. You could also use a matrix device to sequence synth lines but it's kind of a pain in the butt. If you're looking for a controller, a lot of people favor the Axiom or Oxygen series, both by M-Audio. There are quite a few brands to choose from though, and the most important is to check it out in person if possible since many of the controllers feel different.

Saving an MP3 file will require some sort of external audio software, I recommend Audacity but you can use anything really. If you hit file->export song as audio file it will render your track to .wav and then you can load it up in an editor that is capable of saving an MP3.

As for trance tutorial, I cannot help there at all lol but I'm sure many people here can, and if you look up acepincter on youtube he's got GREAT tuts.

Welcome and good luck!!

I make trance, I could help you along the way for free, but there is not a chance that I am writing a whole tutorial on everything I know. Unless you pay me a lot. lol

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Well that sucks, so the only way to get the Thor, and Malstrom working is to use Keyboards and Midi Controllers?...I figured out the matrix device way but you're right it is a HUGE pain...

I don't know how you could use Reason without a keyboard controller. I have the Novation SL61 controller and although I haven't figured everything out yet, I think you are missing most of Reason's features without a controller.

I mean you could pencil in all the notes but that's not much more fun than the matrix lol

You make it sound like your unhappy that when you hit play the synths didn't write a song for you. What were you expecting them to do.

The thor has an inbuilt step sequencer but you can't change the pattern like you can the redrum. (much to my dislike). Maybe this is what confused you.

I think this dude wanted the software to write a song for him.

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Preferably a #1 hit

I am only 16 I have much to learn. I knew it would be a struggle. Don't think I don't know what I'm doing, there is just some aspects I need to learn through people since they are the biggest help. I spent 4 hours experimenting with Reason the other day, getting a feel for the fundamentals. This is how I have mastered Photoshop, and yes I know this is completely different from Photoshop but that's not an easy program to learn either. I NEVER expected this program to be easy in any way..I have seen what it CAN produce and I know I won't be able to do that in a very long time. However I can keep trying and getting better each day..not by making the music, but by learning the program.