(Part 2) Top products from r/reasoners

I have Reason 7 and a Mac Book (13 inch, non retina, 2012). Everything is just fine and projects from Reason 3 can be used with no problem.

When I was buying a Mac Book the retina was like $600 more than the base model so I went with that, and I'm glad I did. You don't need a retina display to make music.

Also I use an external display, so I never even open the Mac (actually I could probably have just bought a mac mini and it would be the same).

So, you're an engineer...be careful - just get a limited rig and then start making music. Do NOT start reading about everything that's available, your engineering brain will take over and you'll never get around to making music - instead you'll just fall into gear acquisition syndrome.

I would also advise getting the following:

A bluetooth Mac keyboard, a blue tooth mouse, and 4 or 8 rechargeable AA batteries (the batteries are key), and an external display.

For monitors a pair of Jbl LSR305. These seem to be the best "bang for your buck" monitors and in online reviews people will not shut up about how good they sound for $150. Avoid Rokits.

As for midi, I'd say get a good midi keyboard and a good set of drum pads. If you want cheap and easy I'd go for a nanoPad2
If you want something a bit more involved (and actually this is what you should get) go for the padKontrol

You'll need keys. Since you say you're a composer you'll need at least 49 keys (61 and 88 are obviously better, and best). When I was buying stuff the MPK49 was pretty much the best thing you could get (except for the pads). The MPK249 is coming out soon and supposedly has better pads, but we'll see.

And finally an audio interface. I have an Echo Audiofire4 which isn't made anymore (btw it's fucking awesome so if you can find one used, do it). It seems the focusrite 2i2 is the most popular choice among newbies...personally I'd go for something with more inputs. RME and MOTU seem to the best but you'll pay a lot more (though in the long run it's worth it).

I would also say, go slow. There are a ton of cheap midi controllers (like $50-$100) so just get one, see what you like and move on from there. DO NOT cheap out on your audio interface. Your audio interface is the most important part of the whole chain.

So, Reason 7 on a Mac and an external display/mouse/keyboard, some keys and pads, an audio interface, and a good pair of monitors and you're set.

Hope this helps.

Well first off you are never supposed to master what you mix/write. Someone with brand new ears in a real mastering house must do this for you. Even if you were the best damn mastering engineer in the world you should still never do this no matter what hardware/software you use. As you mix and record your ears become colored with what you are trying to perceive instead of what is really there.

Reason also lacks proficient mastering tools. Yeah ok there is a "Mastering Suite" but that is more for marketing and should be considered no more than a toy when compared to actual hardware/software that was designed for mastering.
It lacks a good EQ with M/S ability. It is also extremely hard to pinpoint a specific freq. The other tools it provides are meh at best.
The whole workflow of reason is just not set up for masteringbut instead is set up for production/Live play.

Mastering goes a hell of a lot deeper than just throwing some plugs on your mix and cranking perceived loudness to max via a compressor/limiter. Man it goes deep, very deep and it takes a long time to train your ears and attain the knowledge to get good at mastering.

Now that being said I'm not saying you couldn't get "OK" results using Reason to master, but you would still need to be in an environment that is conducive to mastering. Room acoustics and shape, monitor configuration, AD/DA conversion and so many more things need to be set up before you should even try to master anything period.

My long time friend who runs Stonebridge Mastering here in Memphis just published a very concise book on the matter through McGraw Hill. He even got contributions to the book by some of the world's top mastering engineers like Brad Blackwood and Bob Katz. There is very helpful info in there even if you aren't a mastering engineer. It also goes into some advanced mixing techniques that are extremely helpful for any engineer or producer.
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Audio-Mastering-Practical-Techniques/dp/0071819576

Truthfully, there's much better value in investing in a few books and watching free tutorials, especially the propellerhead generated ones.

Mixing Audio should be your bible and studied like you're taking the bar exam. It'll give you an incredible foundation to grow from. It covers everything from compressors and other devices, setting up a mix, and professionally executing a mix. I'm serious, read it with a highlighter and take notes. Plus with Reasons analog mix board like setup, it's easy to translate to Reason.

Even if you decide to take some courses, I would read that before hand anyway to get alot more out of the classes.

Propellerhead's Own Videos are extremely insightful as well.

All in all Good Luck!

• PropellerheadSW YouTube channel has a ton of stuff to watch.
  
  
• Groove3 has excellent tutorials, but they cost money. You get access to everything for $15 per month which is a pretty good deal.
  
  
• There are also book series like "Ignite" and "Power" that cover Reason. Any book on Reason 6 will be directly applicable to Reason 7.
  
  
• And finally there is an excellent book called Modern Recording Techniques that covers the ins and outs (and they WHY that you are wondering about)

I recommend reading this book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0240815807/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I asked this very question myself on /reasoners a while back and someone suggested it to me(thanks whoever you were). Gives you a really good foundation on the more technical aspects of mixing and the theory behind certain mixing practices. Kinda a dry read but push through it.

I'd also like to second that mixing is not really so much about loudness but rather making your mix sound balanced both in the volume of individual tracks and the areas of the eq spectrum in which they occupy. Loudness is typically achieved as a result of this and also mastering after your mix sounds the way you like it.

Also, it helps to compare your own mix to a song or artist that you like the sound of and want to imitate from a mix standpoint.

It takes time but you will get it figured out. Just keep at it.

Nektar IMPACT LX25+

The integration of the Nektar line with Reason is incredible. Basically it allows you to switch banks in any of the instruments using the keyboard (no mouse). It auto maps all of the dials and pads as well. Yes it's got some stuff you seemingly won't use, but it's well built and pretty amazing for $100.

If you are a piano player, I recommend the Alesis Q88, a lightweight full-sized keyboard with a good action for both piano and synth parts. If your budget is for the keyboard and speakers and soundcard then this would be the list I recommend: Sound Card http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UCA202-Audio-Interface/dp/B000KW2YEI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1410636197&sr=8-2&keywords=behringer+usb+sound+card Monitors: http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-MS16-Active-Personal-Monitor/dp/B00181T20O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1410636254&sr=8-2&keywords=behringer+monitor+speakers Keyboard: http://www.amazon.com/Alesis-Q49-49-Key-Keyboard-Controller/dp/B0038YX3BS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410636355&sr=8-1&keywords=49+key+keyboard
These are all units I have used and been very happy with.

I can't say. For people who have got it working after the same issue, they often bought something like this. Good luck, and God's speed.

DT 770 Pro (80 Ohms)

I've had these for quite some time now. Flat response and incredibly comfy. I wear them for hours at a time and without itch, pain, or bother.

As a plus, I've traveled internationally many, many times with them and I'll can attest, with 100% confidence, to how incredibly resilient they are.

Finally, they're surprisingly affordable. Hope this helps.

https://www.amazon.com/beyerdynamic-DT-770-Pro-ohm/dp/B0016MNAAI/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1468687946&sr=1-1&keywords=dt+770+pro+80

Never hurts to study some basic music theory, if only to learn how to communicate with other musicians.

Jazzology is a good book if you're interested.

Turns out it hasn't been updated in four years but here's the link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1285866576 ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdo_pwNTzb9J4S62R

Even though it's for Reason 7, it's still good if you want to learn all about the included instruments and several intricacies of Reason.

for queuing when DJing, i need headphones that won't break when being put on & pulled off like a million times a night, and are loud enough. these have been GREAT and don't break!
for sound quality, i use these, but notice the wee little wires that you don't want breaking... they stay at home.

A few purchases I made recently after few days of researching and asking for recommendations.

Mike Stavrou - Mixing With Your Mind

Rick Snoman - Dance Music Manual, 3rd Edition

Bob Katz - Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science

Bobby Owsinski - The Mixing Engineers Handbook: 4th Edition


Edit: ...and I just checked out the ableton book recommended by /u/NeiloMac and now it's on its way.

This isn't a direct answer to your question, but some more options you may not have considered.

If you have a drum kit that you already drum on, you can buy midi triggers to attach to your drum heads that will send midi impulse responses to Reason in order to trigger drum sounds within Reason.


Personally, I've been practicing "finger drumming" a few times a day on a 16-pad midi controller.