User Manual

SYNCHRONIZATION AND ADVANCED MIDI
552
About this chapter
This chapter describes how to synchronize Reason to external MIDI Clock and how to sync external equipment from
Reason’s internal MIDI Clock. The chapter also describes how to use the External Control Bus inputs for advanced
MIDI routing when you’re not using ReWire.
Synchronization to MIDI Clock
ReWire users – read this!
This section is about synchronization via MIDI Clock, and does not apply to users of ReWire. If you are using Reason
together with a ReWire compatible application, ReWire automatically handles all synchronization issues for you. See
“About synchronization” for details.
What is synchronization and MIDI Clock?
Synchronization, in this context, is when you make Reason play at the same tempo as another MIDI device; where
both start, stop and can locate to certain positions, together. This is done by transmitting MIDI Clock signals between
Reason and the other device. MIDI Clock is a very fast “metronome” that can be transmitted in a MIDI cable. As part
of the MIDI Clock concept there are also instructions for Start, Stop and locating to sixteenth note positions.
You can set up synchronization between Reason and hardware devices (tape recorders, drum machines, stand alone
sequencers, workstations etc.) and other computer programs running on the same or on another computer.
Master/Slave
In a synchronized system there is always one master and one or more slaves. In our case, the master is the one that
controls the tempo. In other words, it is only the tempo setting on the master device that is of any relevance, since the
slaves slavishly follow the master's tempo.
• Reason can act as master or slave. That is, Reason can transmit MIDI Clock signals and also receive them.
Using Reason as MIDI Clock master
Reason can transmit standard MIDI Clock signal. It also sends Start, Stop, Continue and Song Position Pointer (SPP)
MIDI messages so that you can also control the transport functions of the slaved equipment from the Transport Panel
in Reason. To set up Reason as a MIDI Clock master, proceed as follows:
1. Select the desired MIDI Port from the Output drop-down menu in the “MIDI clock sync” section on the Sync tab
in Preferences.
Selecting MIDI clock output port.