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• Reason’s Pulverizer Spotlight: Tremor
• by G.W. Childs IV
• G. W. Childs knows how to uncover sonic gems in almost any awesome synth. Reason's Pulveriser is one such instrument. Explore how to use Pulveriser's Tremor to unlock its potential.

• Smashing Your Beats With Reason 6's Scream 4
• by Mo Volans
• So, you've got the hang of designing sounds for and programming your beats? Next up is processing and mixing them. Mo Volans takes a step-by-step approach for destroying them with Reason's Scream 4.

• Evil Leads Creation in Propellerhead Reason 6
• by G.W. Childs IV
• If you're feeling like a goody-two shoes today then skip this article. Seriously, don't click to read more… unless, that is, you're ready for GW Childs to seduce you with evil leads in Reason 6.

• Vocoding for Better Pads in Reason
• by G.W. Childs IV
• Vocoders. You've got to love them! They seemingly never go out of fashion, and they have so much to offer across a wide range of genres. G.W. Childs creates better pads in Reason using the BV512.

• Using Guitar Effects on Synth Bass in Reason
• by Hollin Jones
• Guitar effects aren't only for guitarists! Hollin Jones takes some of the best guitar effects that Reason has to offer and applies them to a synth bass. Read and listen to the results...

• Reason 6 107
• Beat Design Basics
• Making solid beats is 5% inspiration and 95% perspiration. In this 33-video collection you’ll work up a good sweat as you develop a strong foundation in the art and science of building beats in Reason 6...

• Reason 6 403
• Designing Dubstep: Beat by Beat
• In this latest Reason 6 tutorial, Dubstep producer Hollin Jones takes you on a journey from the first note to the final master. Learn how to produce a Dubstep track in Reason!

• Reason 6 204
• Pulverizer
• Squash it. Smash it! Make it dirty and shake it up! That sounds like Pulverisor –the new FX plugin from the mad scientists at Propellerhead. Let GW Childs show you how to totally PULVERIZE your Reason 6 tracks...

• Reason 6 106
• FX, EQ, Automation and Mixing
• The instruments are smoking. The rack is exploding. Now it’s time to pull it all together and make musical sense of all this Reason 6 mayhem! In this tutorial, Hollin Jones get’s you into the mixer and exploring the FX, EQ and automation...

• Reason 6 105
• Working With Audio
• Reason now records, processes and samples audio! This tutorial by Reason 6 expert Hollin Jones shows you just how seamless working with audio is in Reason 6...

• Reason 6 402
• Reason's Mastering Toolbox
• Learn to master your Reason projects right in Reason 6! This tutorial by audio expert Mo Volans shows you how to use Reason’s powerful, built-in mastering tools...

• Reason 6 205
• Alligator
• New in Reason 6 is Alligator. Join G.W. Childs as he wrestles the sound out of this beast and shows you what this fearsome effects device can do...

• Reason 6 208
• The Combinator
• 3 hours of hot video tips that will show you how to use Reason's Combinator in exciting new ways for bigger synths, better beats, and masterful remixes!

• Reason 6 209
• Thor: Master Of All Synths
• Lightning strikes and thunder rolls as G.W. Childs explores the vast depths of Reason’s awesome Master of All Synths: Thor!

• Reason 6 206
• KONG: King of Drums
• In 2.5 hours you will be making killer beats with Reason's incredible Kong drum machine...

• Reason 6 207
• Dr. OctoRex: Sonic Surgery
• Imagine 8 Rex files simultaneously slicing and dicing, mixing and mashing to make the most amazing rhythmic masterpieces. Combine Dr. Octo Rex and the expertise of Reason Master, Mo Volans, and the unimaginable has become reality...

• Reason 6 102
• Reason Fundamentals
• Before you can dive into any DAW you’ve got to know the basic workings and layout of the program. In this Reason 6 Fundamentals tutorial, expert Hollin Jones cranks up the tempo to about 1000 bpm and gets you up and producing tracks in no time flat...

• Reason 6 401
• Reason's Mixing Toolbox
• Learn how operate the amazing new console and mixing tools included in Reason 6. Watch as Mo Volans remixes a track right before your eyes and ears...

• Reason 6 203
• The Echo
• New to Reason’s Rack is The Echo, The Echo, The Echo... Watch G.W. Childs show you how he manipulates this “echological” new plugin to create all kinds of “out there” audio effects...

• Reason 6 104
• The Instruments
• Reason 6 comes jammed-packed with tons of synths and virtual instruments. Take the sonic tour with Reason expert Hollin Jones...

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If you’re an old school Reason user, you undoubtedly know the power of the Matrix, and its ability to provide melodies, modulations, gating, and more. If you’re a new user, you may have never even looked at it. 

Either way, this article seeks to help those who have gleaned the Reason wisdom of the ages to be reminded, and for the new seekers, to discover—or rediscover—the power of the Matrix.

What is the Matrix?

By definition, the Matrix is a step sequencer with up to 32 steps, multiple resolutions, multiple pattern banks, and a curve option/output that lets you drive the control voltages of other devices in pattern—similar to an LFO—except that you design the waveform. 

When I lay it out like this, it’s not really that impressive. So, let’s put it another way: The Matrix lets you easily and quickly make bad-ass beats, melodies, and can even be used as a sick modulation source. Maybe this will perk your interest. 

One of the greatest charms of the Matrix is its simplicity and ease of use. First, let’s start the Matrix off as a beat maker. 

Trick 1 - Matrix For Drums

There are many ways to make beats with the Matrix, but try this out first: Create a Kong, and load up any old patch that you enjoy.

While holding down the Shift key, create a Matrix. This will keep the Matrix from auto-routing. Press Tab to turn the rack around and see what I mean.

Hold down the Option key and drag the Matrix down; this will create a second matrix. Repeat this step 3-4 times, or for the amount of drums that you plan to use out of this patch.

Route the Curve Out from each patch, to each drum that you plan to use. This will set each individual Matrix to control each individual drum.

Press Tab again now, and set your Matrix modules to Curve mode. Now, you have the ability to do highly graphical, seriously customizable drum patterns per pad. Use the Higher resolutions for triplets, flams, etc. Or, just mix and match your resolutions to get new, and strange beats.

Trick 2 - Custom Gate Patterns for the Alligator

The Alligator comes with a ton of preset patterns useful for making the most monotonous of drones rhythmic and interesting. What’s not completely advertised on the front of the unit is the fact that you can also make patterns of your own! The Matrix is perfect for this!

Create a Subtractor synthesizer, then a two-measure clip and draw two 1 Bar notes on C3.

Next, create an Alligator, and disable the Pattern On button:

Now, create a Matrix while holding down Shift. Then follow up again by dragging down the first Matrix while holding the Option key. Do this so that you have 3 Matrix.

You can also go the extra mile and send your Curve outputs to the High Pass, Band Pass, and Low Pass Frequency Inputs. This will give the curve control over your frequency to do custom frequency modulation. This actually goes beyond the basic operation of the Alligator as on its own, it relies on the LFO for modulation. This is custom!

Now, all that’s left is programming in your new, custom patterns. Remember to try adjusting the Matrix resolutions. You can get some very intricate patterns, especially when you start using the curves for filter modulation.

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G.W. Childs IV

Sound Designer, Musician, Author... G.W. Childs has worn many hats. Beginning in the U.S. Army back in 1991, at the age of 18, G.W. began learning electronics, communications and then ultimately audio and video editing from the Department of Defense. Upon leaving the military G.W. went on to work for many exciting companies like LucasArts, Lucasfilm, Propellerheads, Cakewalk, Midway, MTV. With all of these exciting companies he's either worked as an editor, or sound designer, even sometimes as an actor. G.W. is currently working as an author for Cengage Publishing. He has written the titles 'Creating Music and Sound for Video Games', 'Rewire: Skill Pack', and 'Using Reason on Stage: Skill Pack'. As a musician G.W. has played for years in the band Soil & Eclipse on COP International Records. Additionally, he's worked as a remix artist for acts like Gene Loves Jezebel, Ray Charles, James Brown, Chiazm, Razed in Black, and more.

Reason 6, Reason 6 Alligator, Reason 6 tip, Reason 6 tutorial, Reason Matrix, Reason tips, Reason Kong, Reason 6 Gate Effect, Reasons gate system

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