I've used block mode for years, but I've found during writing, it can take you away from the creative process of writing the parts of the song. Just stay in song mode for that. Once you have some parts written, then put them into block mode to arrange the parts into a song. Once you have that, then you can go to block mode and add parts, then copy/paste like mad to the other blocks because you already 'wrote' the parts of the song first. After that, then go to song mode and put in those extras like drum fills, filter sweeps, etc, like SMM is showing here.
The automation tip overlay is a good one. You can also mute out parts of the block by overlaying a blank MIDI clip. Then, create another note lane to play something different or over the other part. Reason Studios should really build upon the block mode. It has so much untapped potential. They haven't really done much to it since it was released.
Also in Song Mode you can transparently see your individual track clips within the Block. Although they will be contrasted with the color of the Block you can use the mute tool to mute/unmute any clips that are NOT muted in the Block for easy mute A/B switching or making the decision of what should or should not play in that Block at that point in the song. for example you can arrange a song only using ONE Block by muting the transparent track clips in that block without affecting the original Block although it can be tedious for example your song has 16 tracks or more imo then you should create individual Blocks for verse, chorus, etc. and arrange within each block logically to each part of the song. Just a thought and tip. 😎
YES! I came to the comments to say this but was mostly already said. This really helps quickly making variations easily and while looping+ +PLUS a 'correction' and bonus bonus tip; you can record/overdub both audio or midi that will play INSTEAD of the original (without it playing both the block clip and the new one), it overrides it; even if you hit record and don't play any notes (so you could use blanks to 'mute' sections of the block instead of muting the whole instrument channel).
i prefer songmode, i look at the song i see an intro a verse and chorus, i honestly don't know what time this saves, maybe i should try it sometimes but it seems there are all these pittfalls like exporting to track and then wondering why the sounds sound phased, or copying to track and getting the wrong octave, i dont know. it seems the time it does save youll be dealing with the pitfalls losing the workflow and time? i liked reason back in the day because it had so much good devices all in one package, however some really good vst's came out, and its much easier to get a lot of samples. with things like ozone instead of mastering suite, vital / serum synths kick2 you can do a lot, i am thinking of switching to ableton live.
playing blocks with for example a lunchpad would be beautiful to play live. Maybe write to the Props with an inquiry. they never answer me ;) Btw. good tutorial&tips
hey Evan ! I suppose you can sample each block(sounce to audio), then trigger them with keys,put them in Falcon vst and just do a remix like that? I use Falcon for that at times
There's definitely a ton of room for improvement, for example to make different blocks trigger-able on the fly like Ableton. But we both no Reason Studios won't do that.
I've used block mode for years, but I've found during writing, it can take you away from the creative process of writing the parts of the song. Just stay in song mode for that. Once you have some parts written, then put them into block mode to arrange the parts into a song. Once you have that, then you can go to block mode and add parts, then copy/paste like mad to the other blocks because you already 'wrote' the parts of the song first. After that, then go to song mode and put in those extras like drum fills, filter sweeps, etc, like SMM is showing here.
That’s a great workflow too!
The automation tip overlay is a good one. You can also mute out parts of the block by overlaying a blank MIDI clip. Then, create another note lane to play something different or over the other part. Reason Studios should really build upon the block mode. It has so much untapped potential. They haven't really done much to it since it was released.
I've never once used block mode. crazy. now i understand it i might try it
Awesome! It can be a lot of fun, but it definitely has some limitations that I wish Reason Studios would improve.
Also in Song Mode you can transparently see your individual track clips within the Block. Although they will be contrasted with the color of the Block you can use the mute tool to mute/unmute any clips that are NOT muted in the Block for easy mute A/B switching or making the decision of what should or should not play in that Block at that point in the song. for example you can arrange a song only using ONE Block by muting the transparent track clips in that block without affecting the original Block although it can be tedious for example your song has 16 tracks or more imo then you should create individual Blocks for verse, chorus, etc. and arrange within each block logically to each part of the song. Just a thought and tip. 😎
Super cool tricks!
YES! I came to the comments to say this but was mostly already said. This really helps quickly making variations easily and while looping+
+PLUS a 'correction' and bonus bonus tip; you can record/overdub both audio or midi that will play INSTEAD of the original (without it playing both the block clip and the new one), it overrides it; even if you hit record and don't play any notes (so you could use blanks to 'mute' sections of the block instead of muting the whole instrument channel).
So if it’s in blocks. How do you export to master ? What I mean is separate into stems ???
Block mode is a great tool for external recording projects and loops
Specifically (for me).
Yea, it's great for jamming over and developing ideas!
i prefer songmode, i look at the song i see an intro a verse and chorus, i honestly don't know what time this saves, maybe i should try it sometimes but it seems there are all these pittfalls like exporting to track and then wondering why the sounds sound phased, or copying to track and getting the wrong octave, i dont know. it seems the time it does save youll be dealing with the pitfalls losing the workflow and time? i liked reason back in the day because it had so much good devices all in one package, however some really good vst's came out, and its much easier to get a lot of samples. with things like ozone instead of mastering suite, vital / serum synths kick2 you can do a lot, i am thinking of switching to ableton live.
playing blocks with for example a lunchpad would be beautiful to play live. Maybe write to the Props with an inquiry. they never answer me ;) Btw. good tutorial&tips
That would be cool Lukasz! But they don't really listen to me either 😂
A little confusing. I’ll look for more videos. Thanks
hey Evan ! I suppose you can sample each block(sounce to audio), then trigger them with keys,put them in Falcon vst and just do a remix like that? I use Falcon for that at times
You could bounce each block separately! Even just load it in to Kong. It’s not the most efficient process, but it works!
Block mode is to restrictive for how I make music, ReasonStudios made it nice and I see its usefulness but it's just not how I do music.
There's definitely a ton of room for improvement, for example to make different blocks trigger-able on the fly like Ableton. But we both no Reason Studios won't do that.