| Intro | | | | devices. I'm not going to get into this too much, |
| Well guys, I've decided to write a short article on how | | | | because there's just too much to tell in this article. If |
| to make music with your computer. When I started out, | | | | you're interested in using REASON, I recommend that |
| I couldn't find anything to help me. I didn't know what to | | | | you get the tutorial CD-ROM from M-AUDIO. It will give |
| buy, or where to start. Hopefully this short article will | | | | you a good idea of how to get started with REASON, |
| help you in your quest to making music a fun and | | | | and if you think that it will be good for you. |
| productive hobby or future profession. | | | | Putting it all together |
| Loops and SONY ACID Software | | | | The great thing about the two pieces of software that |
| When I first started to create music I used SONIC | | | | I talked about in the previous two paragraphs is this: |
| FOUNDRY'S ACID MUSIC 3.0. It's a piece of software | | | | - You can use ACID for all your loops |
| that enables you to create music with loops. Loops are | | | | - You can use ACID to record vocals and/or guitars if |
| small pieces of music, like a drum line or synth line. | | | | you have the equipment |
| These loops are only a few seconds long, but, | | | | - You can use ACID to render your final recording to |
| obviously, they loop. This means that you can draw | | | | mp3, wav, aiff, and more |
| the loop in for 30 seconds, 60 seconds, whatever | | | | - You can use REASON to program patterns for |
| length you'd like with no distortion or other strange | | | | drums, synths, etc. |
| noises when the loop starts over at the beginning. | | | | (Keep in mind that these two programs can do way |
| There are many websites and companies that create | | | | more than what's displayed above) |
| loops for production use. A lot of them are Royalty | | | | The coolest part of this whole thing is that you can |
| Free; this means that you can use them in commercial | | | | connect these two programs. Using a technology |
| (for-profit) songs. Each of the companies that create | | | | named "REWIRE", created by PROPELLERHEADS |
| these loops has their own license, which you'll want to | | | | you can have both of these applications synchronized. |
| read if you're going to release an album. The license is | | | | Add a loop in ACID, make a pattern in REASON, and |
| usually just a set of rules or terms that say what you | | | | have them play back together. When you're done, you |
| can and can't do with a loop. Most the time you can | | | | can render in ACID to have the synchronized music as |
| use these Royalty Free loops in commercial | | | | one file, or track. |
| recordings, but you can't, for example, resell the loops | | | | Wait! I have no sound |
| by themselves. You have to abide by the license. | | | | Okay, so now you have the software to start creating |
| As far as I know SONIC FOUNDRY was bought out | | | | some awesome music. So the thing you're missing is |
| by SONY, so if you're looking for this software.... | | | | sound, speakers, headphones, etc. I use an external |
| - Do a search for ACID PRO, or visit the link at the | | | | sound card by M-AUDIO, called OMISTUDIO USB. This |
| bottom of the article | | | | thing connects to my pc with the USB port. It has two |
| - There are different versions of the software; one of | | | | headphone connections and two instrument/mic |
| the versions is absolutely FREE | | | | connections with preamp power. It also contains |
| The Reason to create | | | | several speaker connections, as well as other |
| The piece of software I'd like to talk about in this | | | | connections for mixers, etc. |
| section is PROPELLERHEADS REASON. This piece | | | | There are several different types of these external |
| of software is much different than ACID. REASON is | | | | sound machines. Most of them are either USB or |
| focused less on loops, and more on programming. | | | | FireWire. Most have headphone, speaker, and mic |
| When I say programming, I mean using individual | | | | connections and come with the necessary drivers for |
| sounds, for example, a kick drum, snare, or piano | | | | your computer. |
| sound. You then use the awesome devices to create | | | | It's all over |
| patterns. REASON includes a powerful list of devices. | | | | I hope that this short article gave you some ideas to |
| Some of the more important are the ReDrum Drum | | | | start making music. I plan on writing more articles as |
| Machine, Synthesizers, and all new in 2.5, the mastering | | | | time permits. See ya soon! |