Specifications

USING PATTERN DEVICES
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About this chapter
As of this writing, Reason includes two pattern-based devices: the Redrum
drum computer and the Matrix Pattern Sequencer (additional pattern devices
may be added in upcoming versions). While these two devices are very different
in most ways, they handle patterns following the same basic rules, as described
in this chapter.
! For details about the respective devices, see the Operation Manual
pdf.
What are Pattern Devices?
A pattern device contains a built-in pattern sequencer. Unlike the main se-
quencer in Reason, a pattern sequencer repeatedly plays back a pattern of a
specified length. The typical example in the “real world” (as well as in Reason) is
a drum machine which plays drum patterns, usually one or two bars in length.
Having the same pattern repeat throughout a whole song may be fine in some
cases, but most often you want some variations. The solution is to create several
different patterns and program pattern changes (automatic switching from one
pattern to another) at the desired positions in the song.
How Pattern Devices integrate with the main
Sequencer
The built-in pattern sequencer in a pattern device interacts with the main Reason
sequencer in the following ways:
D The tempo set on the transport panel is used for all playback.
D If you start playback for the main sequencer (on the transport
panel), all pattern devices will automatically start as well (provided
their pattern sequencers haven’t been disabled - see below).
D You can mute and solo pattern device tracks in the sequencer.
If a pattern device has a track in the sequencer and you mute this track, the
pattern device will automatically be muted as well. This is indicated by a
Mute indicator on the device panel. Note that if several tracks are connected
to the pattern device, all of these must be muted for the device to be muted.
This Redrum device is muted.
D You can also run a pattern device separately (without starting the
main sequencer or other pattern devices) by clicking the Run button
on the device panel.
This starts the built-in pattern sequencer in the device. To stop playback,
click the Run button again or click the Stop button on the Transport panel.
The Run button on the Redrum drum computer.
D If you are running a pattern device separately and start playback of
the main sequencer, the pattern device will automatically restart in
sync with the sequencer.
D Pattern changes can be controlled by pattern change events in the
main sequencer.
In other words, you can record or create pattern changes in the main se-
quencer, and have them occur at the correct position on playback.
D If the pattern device has a built-in sound source (such as Redrum),
this can also be played by the main sequencer, or via MIDI.
You can combine the built-in pattern playback with playback from the main
sequencer or via MIDI. For example, this allows you to add variations or fills
to a basic pattern.
It is also possible to disable the pattern sequencer totally, converting the de-
vice to a pure sound module. This is done by deactivating the Enable Pattern
Section switch.
Read more about controlling devices from the main sequencer in the Operation
Manual pdf.