Specifications

INSTALLATION
9
About MIDI Interfaces
While it is possible to use Reason without an external MIDI controller (by playing
patterns and loops only, or drawing notes and automation in the sequencer), this
would not allow you to use the program to its full potential. From now on we as-
sume that you are using a MIDI interface and some kind of external MIDI control-
ler (typically a MIDI keyboard with a built-in USB interface).
D When installing the MIDI interface and its drivers, follow the in-
structions in its documentation carefully.
D While a MIDI interface with a single input is sufficient, you will
benefit from having two or more individual inputs.
This is especially true if you want to manipulate Reason parameters with ad-
ditional MIDI control surface devices or use the program in conjunction with
an external, stand-alone sequencer, groove machine or similar.
• For some MIDI interfaces connected via USB, no driver installation is re-
quired. Just plug in the interface and you’re ready to go!
• For other, more advanced MIDI interfaces (or at least to take advantage of
more advanced features, like multiple inputs) you will need to install a driver.
Please consult the documentation that came with the interface for details.
MIDI Connections
D Simply connect the USB cable from your keyboard to your com-
puter.
Although many USB MIDI keyboards are “plug-and-play”, some may require
a driver to be installed. Consult the documentation that came with your MIDI
keyboard.
Or
D Connect a MIDI cable from the MIDI Out on your MIDI keyboard (or
other MIDI controller) to a MIDI In on your MIDI interface.
This is sufficient to be able to play and record notes and controllers in Rea-
son from the MIDI keyboard.
D If you are not using a USB keyboard, you may also connect the MIDI
Out from the MIDI interface to the MIDI In on your MIDI keyboard.
This is not strictly necessary to use Reason, but it will enable two-way com-
munication when you run the Reason Setup Wizard which appears the first
time Reason is launched (see page 12), or when using Auto-detect Sur-
faces in the Preferences. Whether auto-detection works or not depends on
the keyboard model.
!
If you have several MIDI control surfaces or similar that you want to
use, we recommend that you connect them to separate MIDI ports
(or directly to the computer using USB).
Upgrading vs. New
Installations
If you are upgrading from a previous version, please note the following:
D Our recommendation is that you uninstall the previous version be-
fore installing the new one.
Under Windows, please use the Uninstall feature. Under Mac OS, just drag
the program files to the Trash. Uninstalling will ensure that there is no confu-
sion between versions and that shortcuts and aliases point to the right files
etc.