Operation Manual

SYNCHRONIZATION
60
ReWire users – Read
This!
This chapter does not apply to users of ReWire. If you are using Reason to-
gether with a ReWire compatible application, ReWire handles all synchroni-
zation issues for you, automatically. See the ReWire chapter for details.
What is Synchronization
and MIDI Clock?
Synchronization, in this context, is when you make Reason play at the same
tempo as another device; where both start, stop and can locate to certain po-
sitions, 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 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 rele-
vance, since the slaves slavishly follow the master's tempo.
➜ Reason always acts as a slave. That is it receives MIDI Clocks, it
never transmits them.
! Before you create any serious projects that require sync, try out the
features described below and check out “Synchronization Consid-
erations” on page 117.
Slaving Reason to an
External Device
This example assumes that you have an external device, such as a drum
machine, hardware sequencer, another computer, tape recorder etc., that
transmits MIDI Clocks that you want to synchronize Reason to.
1. Connect a MIDI Cable from the MIDI Out on the other device to a
MIDI In on the computer running Reason.
2. Set up the other device so that it transmits MIDI Clock signals to the
MIDI Out you just connected to the computer running Reason.
3. In Reason, pull down the Edit menu and open the Preferences dia-
log. Select the MIDI page.
4. Pull down the MIDI Clock pop-up and select the MIDI Input to which
you connected the MIDI cable from the other device.
On the Macintosh, if you do not understand which Input this is, or if that
MIDI input doesn’t appear in the list, consult your OMS documentation for
information on MIDI interfaces, MIDI ports and naming.
Reason Mac set up to sync to MIDI Clock coming in from a MPC-60 drum machine
connected to an external MIDI interface.