SharePropellerheads Software from Sweden pioneered the concept and vision of the self contained virtual music production studio just about 10 years ago. They have now recently leaked some of the new features, functions, and devices that will be included in the next major revisions of Reason and Record. As many of you know, Propellerheads don’t release updates that often, so when they do, they really try to make them count. Reason 5 and Record 1.5 look as if they will live up to this expectation… and then some.
These updates are major, and they address many issues and requests that I had as a Reason/Record user and have even included some things that I, along with other users, surely couldn’t have imagined.
Propellerheads say that the updates will be out later this summer.
Live Sampling – Reason 5 and Record 1.5
This is an interesting concept; software samplers that actually record and sample audio. Live sampling is a new feature that places a Live Sampling button on every location where a .WAV or .AIF file can be loaded in on each of the sample playback devices (i.e. Redrum, NN-19, NN-XT, Kong, etc.) Live sampling will allow for two main functions:
1. To sample external audio through your audio interface in realtime (i.e. mic input)
2. To resample any piece, part or section of your tune
When live sampling is engaged, a waveform editor that has now been built into the program appears, and allows you to trim, crop, normalize, reverse, crossfade-loop the sample, thus making this whole process self-contained inside the program.
Kong Drum Designer – Reason 5 and Record 1.5
Kong is a multifunctional drum design unit that allows for 16 different drum parts for each of the 16 different pads on its GUI. Sounds can be edited and shaped all-day. Kong also posses an arsenal of Support generators and FX processors geared towards shaping your drum sounds. Support generators will add additional body and tone to your drum sounds.
Drum generation methods are:
1. NN-Nano – Sample playback – multisampling/layering
2. Nurse REX – REX Loop playback – plays back as individual slices, or chunks
3. Analog Bass Drum Synth – think 808, 909, etc. analog kicks
4. Analog Snare Drum Synth – think 808, 909, etc. analog kicks
5. Analog Hi-Hat Drum Synth
6. Analog Tom Drum Synth – think 808, 909, etc. analog kicks
7. Physical Modelled Bass Drum
8. Physical Modelled Snare Drum
9. Physical Modelled Tom Drum
The Support generators are:
1. Noise
2. Tone
Kong’s internal structure allows for 2 Insert FX for each part; 1 Send Effect and 1 Master Effect. Kong also allows for flexible output routing (16 outs.)
The FX are:
1. Compressor
2. Filter
3. Overdrive/Resonator
4. Parametric EQ
5. Rattler
6. Ring Modulator
7. Room Reverb
8. Tape Echo
9. Transient Shaper
Propellerhead – Reason 5 and Record 1.5 – Neptune
How clever? Nep-tune… ;-) … I get it.
Neptune is a pitch device for audio in Record 1.5. It’s also an FX processor that you would add to an audio track as an insert effect. Overall, Neptune has three key functions:
1. Real-time Audio Transposer – This is pretty cut and dry; you have controls for the semitone shift and fine tune.
2. Real-time Pitch Correction – This function is a very welcome addition, as it detects notes in monophonic audio signals and/or tracks (e.g. vocals) that are off and corrects their pitch. It looks as though it will also allow for incoming MIDI notes to pull the pitches away from their root and correct it in a sliding and gliding real-time fashion. Hmm… feels like I’ve seen something like this before in a certain plug-in.
3. Voice Synth – This functionality allows for incoming MIDI chords to make duplicates of the audio to create what sounds like harmonies and backing parts. I was a big fan of a piece of hardware that did this years ago.
Bravo!
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