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SYNCHRONIZATION AND ADVANCED MIDI613
Synchronization using Ableton Link
About Ableton Link
Link by Ableton is a technology that keeps sequencing/playback devices and applications in sync over a wireless
network. By connecting to the same network as other Ableton Link users you will be able to jam in perfect sync with
other Ableton Link-enabled applications. Other users may be using apps on iOS devices or similar, but that’s perfectly
fine, Link works across platforms!
Any of the Ableton Link users can then start and stop their part while others keep playing. Any user in the network
can also adjust the tempo in real-time and the rest of the “linked” applications/devices will follow.
Synchronizing Reason’s sequencer with Ableton Link
1. Connect your computer to the wireless network where the other Ableton Link devices/applications are con-
nected.
This is done where you configure your network in your computer OS.
2. Select “Ableton Link” from the Sync Mode selector in the Transport panel - or from the Sync sub-menu in the
Options menu.
In the Sync Mode section a green progress bar constantly indicates the tempo and the current “position” (phase)
within one single Bar.
The number to the right of the progress bar shows how many other Link users you are connected to (4 in the ex-
ample above).
3. Hit Play in the sequencer.
The Reason sequencer will start when the green progress bar reaches the current play head position (phase)
within the current Bar. This means that the start of the sequencer will always be correct within the Bar and thus in
perfect phase-sync with the rest of the Link devices/applications.
D If you change the Tempo in the sequencer, the tempo in all other Link applications will follow accordingly.
Similarly, if the tempo is changed in any of the other Link applications in the network, Reason’s sequencer tempo
will change. The tempo is constantly updated and displayed in real-time in the Tempo display on the Transport
panel.
D If you switch back to Internal sync from Ableton Link sync, the Tempo in the Reason sequencer will remain at
the tempo it had when you switched back.
If your song has tempo automation, please have a look at “About Tempo Automation when using Ableton Link” for
some additional information.
! Note that high-quality stretching of audio tracks is automatically disabled when using Ableton Link sync.
About recording in the sequencer when using Ableton Link
It’s also possible to record in the sequencer while synchronized to Ableton Link. A couple of important things, tough:
! We strongly recommend using “External Monitoring” when recording audio in Ableton Link sync mode.
This is to enable the Recording Latency Compensation function, see “Recording Latency Compensation”.
! Pre-count in the sequencer is automatically disabled when synchronized with Ableton Link!